The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-19


ONDAY MORNING, NC
THs OrERA,-LAe Friday night, that Of
Mr.. Castles benefit, was one of the most
successful Of the season, both as TO the
audience and the performsnce. The ho1se
was crowded with the beauty and fashion
of the city, tise dress circle presenting OAe
Of the most brilliant and fascinsting sesnes
we have ever witnessed In our Theatre.
That talented and handsome young astiSs
Mr. Castle received . gratifying tribute
from the people of Richmond, and was wei
coined by them In manner that atteHed
their appreciation of his high merits.
la1fe,s beautiful opera Of" The iR6sssof
Castle twas most admirably rendered.
In point Of singing and acting It WAS almost
perfect, while all the costumes were gotten
up with, degree Of elegance snd taste
hardly excelled on any stage. We have no.
ticed that in this respect the Richings Opera
Troupe are never wanting, and that every
member, from the first artist down to the
last chorister. are always dressed In the
most appropriate manner. Miss Richings's
dress In the Rose Of CASTLE was superb,
and those of Messrs. Castle and Campbell
tasteful and elegant. We suspect that the
admirable management displayed in regard
to dress among the choristers. 10 due TO
that most energetic and indefatigable lady
Miss Richings. Whoever 1t may be, de-
serves great credit. c~ .
Miss Richings as Elvira displayed to ad-
vantage her remarkable versatility as On
actress as we'll as her very fine qualities
as singer. As the village maid, her arch
ness, ease, and simplicity Of manner were
brought into full play, and captivated those
who beheld her, while she was equally ad-
mired as the stately, elegant, and dignifed
Queen Of CASTLE. Her singing was, as
usual, exquisite. With marvellous ease
she ranged, in the remarkable fexibility OF
her voice, from the highest to the lowest
notes, rendering soprano notes as clear as
bell, and giving those Of an alto voice with
remarkable softness. Her trills are beau
tiful. In fact, she is a remarkable lady,
and has displayed rare artistic qualities
and the most untiring energy. Every
night during the season sho has sus-
tanned the most difficult parts, invariably
answering the sometimes unreasonable en-
cores Of her audiences, and never yet has
she shown any sign Of fatigue from her
exertions. But above all, erhigh charac-
ter as lady has enlisted the warmest ad-
miration of our people, and her conduct
upon the stage, ever marked with gentility,
ease, and grace, is worthy Of and receives
their commendation.
Miss Zelda Harrison's voice is fresh and
clear, and as, soft as flute. Her
acting is always charming, and she is pos
sessed of beauty and graceful and winning
manners. In the assumed character of the
boy in the "Rose of CASTLE" she did-to
use the expression of the ladies'" 80 very
stoeetly,n while in her real character OF
Donna Carman she was almost faultless.
Mrs. Boudinot has TO perform very
difficult and yet the most thankless parts
in all the pieces. No matter how admira-
bly, she may enact the part of the Mar
chioness of Berkenfeld, Beatrice, or such
like characters, the audience, as general
thing, will not appreciate the fact that she
is acting the part of "that horrid old Mar
chioness'' or 'sthat disagreeable Beatrice" !"
This lady deserves appreciation as an excel
lent actress, and it should be remembered
that though her roles may be those of dis
agreeable persons, they require the most
difficult acting. AS the stiff and formal
Beatrice, on Friday night, she was inimita-
bic. In the, scene in which she was robed
in the Queens cloak she performed the
part Of the Queen with all her dignity, and
yet with drollsry that gave Q most ludi-
crous effect to the scene. ~ ~ 4 +
Mr.. Castle, the hero Of the evening, was
in fine Voice and spirits, and frequently
called forth. the warmest applause from the
audience. His singing and acting were
well worthy of the occasion Of his benefit.
Mr.. CampbelPs splepdid !" orgiDg" was
in good plight, and upon several occasions
filled every hole and corner In the house
with melody. Seguin, in Don Florio, was
one of the features of the evening, and
added much to the pleasure of the oeca-
sion. Wylie was In place, and did better
than upon any previous occasion. The
,choruses throughout we're very fine, and ol
our orchestra we really feel proud. Rosen-
berger, Kessnick, Rittershouse, Reinhardt,
Muller, Ambrecht, and the rest, are all
good performers, and considering the fact
that they have never before accom-
panied this company, do astonishingly well,
Professor Dietrich is one Of the best con.
ductors we have ever. seen. With re-
mlarkable facility he plays upon the piano
with his left hand, beats time for the sing
ers and orchestra with his right, and when
the chorus seems failing (which il very sell
dom) helps them out with his voice. Thu
can be done but by few musical men,.
On Saturday night the opera Of La
Sonnambula !" was, by general desire, re-
peated. The audience was very good for Q
Saturday night, and the performance o.
that beautiful opera equally as successful
as twas when first presented here. =
The performances of this company are
musical treats which our people seldom
enjoy, and during this, the last week Of theii
season, our people would do well to avail
themselves Of the opportunity Of sttendine
them. Tonight we will have @ Fra 'Di-
avoIo," the overture to which, together with
Campbell,s solo {" Let all obey" will be
well worth the price Of admission. ~,
The RIcHINas GoHpASY.-Last night, ,ai
the First Presbyterian church, Messrs Gas.
tie and Campbell, Of the Richings Operi
Company, sang In the choir. The prayer
from "Moses in Egypt" was sung excel
lently.a Several Of the company sang at
st. Peters cathedral in the morning.