New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-17
RichsBx's Engllsh Opera Troupe


The rapidity with which the English.
| Opera Troupe, under the efficient lead OF
| Mrs. Bernard, have brought out in consecu'
| tive order, some of the richest and most sub
lime creations OF musical genius. is no less
| remarkable than the completeness with
which each has been presented, ss to Access
series, and persouased rs to characterize.
ton. In scenic effect and general parapher-
MALTA all the details have been skillfully
and artistically managed. In caste and con-
duct the roles have been signally well flied.
Much of the assiduous labor, however, the
care, the annoyance, the tediousness and
the moDotony of daily drilling has been
doubtlessly obviated by the comparative de.
gree of perfection to which Mrs. Caroline
Richings. Bernard has disciplined her corps
of choral singers, and the eminence Of the
artists she has wheeled into che line of her
immediate service.
OF wonderful energy, calculating
intelligence, shrewd conception aad
clever basiness knowledge, she has
drawn about her support worthy
OIL ueT -ihlIe auu lalics Auo eAOS"
subordinates are not myrmidons, but it
would seem, favorites; subjects, who love
their Queen, because of her temperate and
kindly SWAY. And look at her prime
ministers, her maids of honor, hor ladies of
state.
Drayton is splendid actor, with deep,
rich. strong baritone, and Bowler has soft,
sweet tenor, with huge dash of Eistrionic
ability in his composition. Bernard s exact,
reliable and clever in all bis appointments,
and Peakes, with sonorous, ringing melody
in his yocalization, is an admirable delinea-
tor. White and Arnold are always up to
their parts, and; constitute a safe and worthy
reserve, and the chorus, medley as it is, is
full of harmony and strength.
We pass Mrs. Bowler and Miss HoTson.
The former. with her cultivated contralto,
is a prima dorla. Her Azucend, in Ferdl's
grand opera of I'll Trovatore, is proof of
this, as are all her representations. especi-
ally those in which she Seftly plays the
page parts, adding TO her finished vocalisn
the grace and charm of personal attractions.
As is also Miss HoWson-youBg, beautiful
and Winsome, the soprano Of the troupe,
next to Mrs. Bernard.
To cite them specifically is simply 70 con-
firm over and over again the popular
opinion: ana further comments in addition
to what We have already expressed, and
md criticised seem to us supper
fiuous.
And here for cursory resume. The
rafting. dasLi1g Position ofLongumeau"
was rendered on Sunday night with the
esprit aud vcrve. which vein the ground
work of che piece itself. Mr.. Bowler was
full of via in ChapeIon, cracking his witt
cisms as pungentlv and pointedly as he
smacked his whip. Transmitted into 81.
PhGr he was natural and graceful. BJO's
was a second edition of Bepp0, not the least
lost i'll the translation, a rather subsequent
issue. Peakes is young aspirant OF deci-
ded talents. In many portraitures he has
genius. We have set a markupOn
him. Impressed with no vaticinal powers.
we simply venture to predict, that II he
gives himself mp to culture and study, and
develops, by proper discipline, the natural
in him, he will rise to distinction
n his profession. We have watched this
Young Henry G. Peakes. and from his
Der iishoof down to. his BVOG. aye,
we may say his Fernando. with
very little to do in the "Trovatore,"
we have seen enough
prehensiveness, reach and compass, appro-
priateiy admixed in his vocal and dramatic
embodiments. Then We had ''Maritana,"
Wallace's beautiful opera, with Bowler's
roIlicking Don Cesar de BGzdn, and 'Il
Trovatore," in which Mr.. Drayton gave us
a transcript of his original Cont de Lana.
In this he sang splendldly. The rich, deep
notes of his thoroughly intonated baritone
rang out in the silence of the gloom that in
habited most of the scenes of which this
opera is composed. with telling effect, and
the chime of Manrico'S tenor, rs the solos he
sings seemingly issue out Of the profounder
bass Of the Count, fell on us like gush of
music that, though soft, is loud enough to
undertone the wave; d breath along the
shore of song had stirred the ripple of sound
lag harmony.
But we are trenching on our limits. Gou-
nod will claim our attention next. "Fauss'
was brilliantly presented last night. This
is too heavy an opera to be lightly treated.
So we will cabin our thoughts awhile. After
tribute to Mrs. RichiDgs, whose superiority
is so unequivocal in all she undertakes, we
fear to compliment LeonOrd at the expense
Of being considered ungallant to Marg,ierite,
and 50 on through the entire repertoire OF
her various roles.
Myerbeer's magnificent 'Huguenots" will
be strongly cast on Friday night for Mrs.
Bernard's benefit. AS she soon leaves us,
let the people rally to the box Office. Our
friend, Mr.. Commit. seems quite capable of
standinc, u r,nDular CHARGE