The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-04


Grown DiamOnds' by the Richings Troupc.
The Richngs English opera Troupe commenced
heir spring season at the Academy OF Music last
Vening, to moderate sized but appreclative audi
snce, with Auber's opera OF Crown Diamonds This
work is deservedly favorte with the public.
although 1t is seldom or never given nowadays ex-
Sept by the English troupe as 1t contains some
charming music, and, If creditably performed
Is one OF the most attractive of the light
operas All the old favorites were well re-
G eived last evening when they made their ap-
pearance on the stage and the applause was
hearty throughout the performance. Mrs. Bernard
as Catterina" did not appear to be in quite as good
voice as usual but she in great measure recovered
power after the first act. The duet with Mr..
Castle in the first act, however, was finely executed
and much applauded as was the duet with Mr.. Sc
guiD in the second act Mrs. Seguin as "Diana," Mr..
Castle as 'D0n Henrique," Mr. Campbell as "Re-
boledo," and Mr. James Peakes as "Count de Campo
Mayor" all sang and acted with great deal OF feel
ing and expression. The orchestra, under the d-
rection of Mr.. Behrens, excellent, and the cho
ruses were moderately well given, but open to
improvement The costuming Of this opera is un-
usually handsome and it is given in style of COM
pleteness that we would wish to see often initiated
1t is rumored that this is the last season of the
Richings troupe as at present organized and our
Opera-goers should, therefore, make the most of the
few remaining opportunities, as it is doubtful
whether as efficient an English opera company can
be again collected.
''Pepina" mt the Arch.
LOtta is certainly not actress In any prope
sense Of the term, but she has gifts which are, in
their way, important talent for they take with
the public, and worth considerable in dollars and
cents As Lotta is popular, and as her peculiar style
of performances has particular fascination fora
large number OF persons II seems pity that she
cannot have written for her some dramas which will
possess little merit in themselves, and at the
time allow her to give full swing to the
kittenish actions which so delight her audi
ences, and not, as at present, cause the
banjo walk around, and clog dance to be introduced
In season and out Of season. whether appropriate
not. Maggie Mitchell waited for some time before
Fdnchor, with fame and fortune overlook her, and
perhaps Lotta will manage in time to add to her
ertoie some dramas OF equal merit in their way, and
enable her to thrust aside such worthless trash as
Fire-Fly Perina, and other pieces in which she now
appears. The thing is not an impossibity, but the
young lady having attained to fame and fortune
without the aid of artistic accessories, may think the
matter one Of no Importance Her appearance in a
really good play would add to her attractiveness
however, and increase her popularity with her most
enthusiastic admirers.
Pepind, the new piece which was produced last
evening to an immense and proportionally enthusi-
astic audience, is really not worthy OF serious cru
cism. The authors only object appears to have been
TO give Lolita two characters which sare as as
possible duplicates Of 'Little Nell" and the "Mar-
chioness," to introduce as much bone and banjo
business possible without the slightest regard to
dramatic artistic proprety. There is considerable
dialogue about the Board OF Brokers, bond robbery,
and various vianous transactions, which Is not only
uninteresting but intensely stupid and it's only OBJ
ject to be to lengthen out the drama, and to
keep the audience occupied while Lotta is making
her changes of costume. Rumor credits Mr.. Edmund
Falconer with the authorship of Pepina.
This gentleman has written some very clever
plays and Fire Fly although not entitled to take
high rank in dramatic literature has a certain
amount OF dash and spirit about it which redeems it
from contempt, but PepinG has no redeeming fea-
ture that we can see and 1t is about the poorest of
all the poor plays that have lately been produced In
spite of this, however, there is fear that it will
not draw crowded houses 80 long Lotta persOnaes
the heroine rather heroines. "Myrte MyddletOn"
and sPepina," we discover at early stage of the
performance two sisters, the latter having been
stolen when little child and brought up street
singer. Lotta is not good in sentimental parts and
her personation OF myrtle Myddeton" there
fore is rather nat and no one is very
sorry when that young lady is carried off the scene
by galloping consumption. AS "Pepina' LOtta is
in her element and as there is plenty of slang
kicks, banjo playing jig dancing, ETC., the audience
are proportionay delighted. "Pepina," OF course,
Is in fourth act restored to the arms of her long
lost father, who murmurs, "Bless ye me child and
then hands her over to the custody of "Mr Percy
LYNDON" the quondam lover Of "Myrtle," who
presses her to his heart the curtain comes down
amid thunders OF applause.
There are some toeraby good jokes and hits at the
manners of the time which the audience is quick to
appreciate; but the best thing in the play, TO our
fancy is the exciting episode OF street fight, with
which the first act concludes and the bit of satire
involved in the capture OF an unotending apple
woman by the policeman after the row has fairly
concluded.