The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-05
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.


LA L@SOnnaNnbuIa" by the GaItOu Troupe.
Last evening Miss Susan Gallon made her
nrst appearance In this city In an opera that
would enable the public to form an adequate
soea OF her abilities singer and as an actress.
Ine pretty little operettas OF 0ffenbach which
nave hitherto occupied her attention won for
ner popularity which she ran some risk OF
losing by attempting such an arduous and
olmcut role as "Aminan in Bellinis opera of
La o0nndmbut0. As an experiment to intro
ouce Miss Galton in q jrstcass part the per-
1ormance may be considered q very decided
success, although the young prtned donna had
10 contend against many disadvantages, not the
least of which was q doplorably inefficient
support Miss Galton carried of all the honors
OF the evening, unless, indeed, they are to be
divided with the chorus A large audience was
In attendance, aud disposition TO be critical
was manifested in the beginnings but the singer
conquered fairly, and her success was assured
when the curtain descended upon the second
act amid a storm of applause.
Miss Ga toms success was au agreeable SUR
prise, for we did not think that she was
capable of singing such difficult music as that
of La Sonndmbuid, and this was probably the
opinion of many 10 the audience. Miss Cations
voice is not very powerful, bat is sweet aud
flexible aud slight roughness, which was ap-
parent last evening, Is doubtless attributable to
a severe cold from which she was evidently
suffering. The whole OF the chamber scene IN
the second act was rendered with much taste
and feeling, both as regards the singing
and the acting, and the same thing may be
said of the flower song in the sleep walking
scene of the last act TIE air 'Ab non giunge'
in the same act was encored. Miss Cations
A. 49,. Ind IN
high praise, and at the enl of the second and
third acts she was cOmplimented by being
called before the curtain.
1t is to be regretted that Miss Galton was not
better supported, as the performance, as
whole, cannot be considered at all in the light
of success. The choruses we're generally well
rendered, but the singers who assumed the
leading roles were totally incompetent. Mr.
WhiffiD, who appears to advantage in The light
pieces of Ofenbachs, where his voice is not put
to any severe tests, and where his talents as
comedian have full exercise, was not equal to
the part of "Elvino.n Mr.. Whifin's voice is
thin somewhat nasal, and of only moderate
compass, and it breaks into an ear-cutting
falsetto whenever it rises above a certain note,
and even in those portions OF the music that
were apparently within his range it did not ap-
pear to be we'll under control. Mr.. Whif1in's
acting was not much better than his sing
Ing, and in the early scenes of the opera
especially he seemed TO be nervous and embac.
rassed, as ii conscious that he had undertaken
task beyond his powers. Iu the chamber
scene he acted with considerable force and eX-
preston, but the ferocious manner in which he
dragged "Auina" about the stage was calcu.
lated to inspire the audience with some fear
that the lady's arms would pc dislocatcd. The
remaining parts were sustained by performers
who have not sienalized themselves hitherto in
the light pieces by 0feubach which have been
attempted by the troupe, ald the public, there.
fore, had no reason TO expect much from them.
Miss Susan Cations ambition to appear in
drst-class works is commendable, but unless
she can secure reasonably good support, il
would not be advisable 10 repeat the experiment
of last evening very frequently. The Operettas
In which she has heretofore appeared contain
come very pretty music; they are entertaining,
and suit the fancy of the public and are not
beyond the capabilities of her troupe. With
regard to grand opera the critical standard is
higher and it is worse than useless to attempt
such pieces as La So7an0mb unless the means
are at command for rendering them in manner
that will at least approximate to excellence.
The finest singers on the stage would not be able
to achieve permanent success in the higher class
of works under similar circumstances to those
in which Miss Galton is now placed. We hope,
therefore, that Faust, aud other operas of like
character, which have been announced as in
preparation, will not be attempted at the
Ohesput unless Miss Galton IS able to effect a
very decided improvement. in the calibre of her
troupe.
The City Amusements.