The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-02
1MUSEMENTS.
Academy of Music-Crown Diamonds
NCrnWA ninmondsr ia the most sparkling o

Academy Of Music-Crown Diamonds
"Cro wa Diamonds is the most sparkling o
all Auber's brilliant operas, and with Its perform
ance at the Academy. on Saturday, even the hyper
critical will have small fault to find. All the MEM
bers Of the company, with the exception OF MISS
Howson, were included in the cast, and they
exerted themselves to make the performance
what 1t was, the brightest and best OF oul
operatic season. "La Traviata" which was
played on the opening night, gave Mrs. Bernard
full scope for the display Of her histrionic and
musical talent but the Alfredo of Mr. Brookhouse
Bowler was not satisfactory, and the English
words to which the recltatlves were SET in grand
opers, fashion, interfered rather ludicrousy
with the general eject. "The Bohemian Girl, "
on Tuesday, was dashng performance, and In
it Mr.. Bowler Thaddeus) showed with most effect
the passionate earnestness Of which his voice is
capable 'The Bohemian Girl" as 1t was per-
formed, ranks7 next in merit to "Crown
Diamonds" On Wednesday we had Ella SOM
nambrla" which dragged a little in spite OF the
charming singing OF Mrs. Bernard and Mr. Dray-
ton. The role Of Elyino was too much for Mr.
Bernard, although he sang well in the second act.
'Maritana,n on Thursday, was very well done.
The singing Of Mrs. Bernard was charming, and
the acting OF Mr. Brookhouse Bowler beyond
reproach.. But the audience were cold and in
sensible. On Friday night we had "Norma," p"
which was rather more than the company could
handle. The first and third acts were dull, and
seemed to show that the troupe might confne
themselves, with advantage, to less exacting
works. The Doctor of Alcantara, at the matinee
Iiuht hnt n
which the audience, composed almost exclusively
Of ladies and children, hardly knew which to ad-
mire most-the sweet singing or the ptQuante
acting Of the versatile prlma donna, who played
the part Of I'leS, the Maid.
"Crown Diamonds then was the best perform
ance of the week. Mrs. Bernard (Catarlna) acted
with consummate grace and skill, and sang the
melodious Spanish airs with which the opera
abouuds with more than her usual vlvacity and
smoothness. The hexibnity Of her voice and the
excellence Of her style made themselves very ap-
parent In the duo with Diana Miss Annie KempO
who was in full voice and sang remarkably well.
The Don Henrlque of Mr. Bowler was nearly as
good as his Don Caesar de Bazan, which is all that
the tenor, but ''Thou art so near and yet SO far"
introduced into the opera) was rendered by Mr..
Bowler with both decacy and power, and was
encored. The Robelledo OF Mr.. Drayton was
finished piece OF acting. This gentleman elabo-
rates every detail Of his role, and Is study In
himself. Mr.. Drayton sung 1.-THE Muleteer" talso
an outside song) with fine effect. Mr. q. c. Peakes
was 8 very good Campo Mayor, and the same
may be said Of the Mungss OF Mr.. J. G, Peakes.
The charming accompaniment were daintlly
played by the orchestra, and the famous Galop
warmed the audience into enthusiasm. The
chOruses were excellent, anu the dresses OF the
whole company so gorgeous that they may well
have come from Paris.
The Bohemian Girl Tonight.
By particular request, the re-engagement Of the
Opera Company for five more performances will
be opened tonight by repetition Of the Bo-
hemian Girl. We can only repeat what we have
said above that 1t Is one Of the most charming
and attractive operas in the repertoire OF the
troupe.