The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-02
MUsICAL AND DRAMATIC.
VErnani, at tho Nca1ewv or mu.,

E""hh' M tne Academy OF Music.
Last evening striking proof of the popu.
lerlty OF the Italian opera in this city, and Of
the hearty encouragement vouchsafed its man.
agement, was afforded. Ernant was advertised, |
nut the public was kept in total ignorance with
regard to the cast Yet the audience was quite
as large as on the opening night and as enthu-
siastic as the merits of the performance war. |
ranted. Miss States appeared In the role OF
s'Eivira,' which is Justly regarded the best
personstion which she has yet given In this
city. The harsh quality OF her voice was com
pensated for by the ease with which she glided
Through the highest ranges of her score; and
her action. taken altogether, was spiriteds
although somewhat marred by an occasional
nstlessntss. Signor Maccaferri was entrusted
with the role of "Ernani," and went through It
conscientiously, but failed TO reach the stan.
dard TO which we ave been accustomed In the
past. Signor Orlandini, who has appeared be-
fore In the character of "Carl Quinto" to the
best advantage. unhappiy did not execute his
task with the grace and force which we are
accustomed to encounter in his personations
All these shortcomings, however, we're more
than compensated for by the mastery per-
formanoe OF Signor Antonucci as "Sllva." The
public has become justified In anticipating an
unrivalled execution OF this part at his hands,
and last evening there was no cause for disap.
pointment. Despite an apparent weakness in
the chorus, the concerted pieces were well and
forcibly rendered. This was especially the case
In the grand finale Of the third act, on the score
Of which Verdi has exhausted his resources
brilliancy. The execution was so satisfactory
TO the audience that a repetition was impera-
lively demanded, and given with increased
spirit. Thus far, however, the company have
been engaged in mere skirmish1ng, and to-
might. when Meyerbeer's grand production =
lie Prophete, will be placed on a Philadelphia
stage for the first time. they will go to work in
sober earnestness, with just anticipations of
decided triumph.
Mrs. Thayer's Benefit at the Arch.
Mrs. Thayer's admirers could scarcely have
paid her a greater compliment than they did
last evening, for although according to tradi
ti0n, there Is always room for one more In
street car or theatre the house was so full
that the audience overfiowed into the lobbies;
and the old simile of herrings In box scarcely
gives an adequate idea of the actual condition
Of affairs Mrs Thayer presented an excellent
bill of entertainment, the performance passed
Off with great deal of spirit, to the manifest
satisfaction of the audience, and the benefit
was q gratifying success to all the parties oon.
cerned.
The leading attraction of the evening was the
lively and entertaining comedy of EUerybodv'S
1riend, which was presented for the first time
this season; indeed 1t has, we believe. been
great many seasons since 1t was played at the
AIOus xSVeTyOOUyS HTtS?SU IL an ALuubluB, nall
faroical piece, which manages to keep its place
on the stage principally on account of the
merits of "Major Wellington De Boots" Mr..
John s. Clarke. II he did not create this char.
aoter. has at least absorbed 1t and made IL so
completely his own that any other comedian
attempting 1t must, In q great degree. appear
simply as a follower In his illustrious foot
steps. Mr.. Craig played the part very
well indeed last evening. He missed
some good points that Clarke makes,
and was not excruciatingly funny;
but he achieved q very fair success. Mrs.
Thayer as MRS. De Boots" was admirable, as
she always Is, There is scarcely an actress on
the stage who understands the art OF dressing
character like this lady; and in such part as
"Mrs Major De Boots" she appears to signal
advantage. Although circumstances beyond
their control have brought the "Msjor" and
his wife to the foreground in this piece. they
are properly. and according to the original in
tenuon of the author, but secondary person.
ages. The others, upon whom the development
of the plot mainly depends, are amusing comedy
characters, but not distinguished by any such
marked idiosy ncrasies as to raise them above
the common run Of humanity. The parts were
very creditably sustained last evening, as fol-
lows: "Felix Featherly," Mr.. Barton Hill !;
"Mr Icebrook, }" Mr.. James; " Mrs. Featherly"
Miss Price, and Mrs. Swansdown," Miss Da.
venporf.
The farce of Domestic Economy, in which Mrs.
Thayer appeared as MIS- Grumley," and MIR.
Craig's burlesque of Romeo and Juliet concluded
the entertainments.