The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-21
History Of Caroline Hichfngs Ber'
from the PHILADELPHIA Telegraph ]

From the Philadelphia Telegraph
twas while acting as stage manager at the
Walnut that Mr.. Rich;ngs introduced his
adopted daughter. Miss Caroline Richings-
now Mrs. Bernard-to the public. This lady
was born in England, and was brought to
this country by her parents when quite q
small child. Her fathers name was Rey-
noldson, and he was well known as a writrr
for the press and an adapter Of plays. His
pec,lniary success, however. was not great,
and when he died he left his little girl en-
tirely unprovided for. Mr.. Richings adopt
ed her, and from that time to the hour of
his death he acted more than fathers part
toward her. Both in public and in private
he always displayed the warmest affection
for her, and her success is very largely due
to his fatherly care. He gave her an excel
irlit education, end rs she early gave icGi-
cations Of having fine voice, Mr: Riohfhgs
provided the hest masters for her, and took
great pains to cultivate her musical talent
to the utmost. The first actual appearance
in public Of Miss Richings was as pianist,
on November 20, ls47, at the first concert
Of the Philharmonic Society, 1T Musical
Fund Hail. She appeared for second
time on the 18th of December In the same
wear. Miss Richings made her debut on
the stage on the 9th of February, 1852. with
the Sen.in troupe, at the Walnut-street
Theatre. 1t was ner ambition. as well as
that of her adopted father, to distinguish
herself as prima donna. but the disband-
ment Of the Seguin trouge deprived her for
the time being Of opportunity to do so.
She nevertheless held fast to the idea of
achieving success in English opera, and with.
in n few years past ste bas bsen able 30
carry out her plans in that direction. In
the meantime she cultivated both her vocal
and dramatic talents, and achieved high
reputation as an actress and as a singer.
Miss Eichings made her first appearance as
n comedienne at the Walnut on March 81,
1853. for the benefit of Mr.. Peter Richings,
in the part of "Stella" in the comedy of
I" The frima 0onna,n which was produced
for the first time in America on chat occa-
sion. She afterwards appeared in the come
DIV Of Extremes the operate spectacle
of T1'he Enchantress," and number of
other similar pieces that afforded her opporr
tunitieS to display her vocal and histrionic
talents. After leaving the Walnut, Mr.. Rich
ings and his daughter played star engage
ments for a time, and on the It'll March, 1871,
Miss Richings made her debut IN Italian
opera at the Academy of Music in this city,
which had then just been inaugurated,
MIR. Peter Richings delivering the inaueu-
raj address on the opening night. Miss
Richings's first italian opera role was
" Aueigisa" in Norma, and she atterwards
appeared in "AZucena In Trovatore.
and in similar parts. During the dramatic
season of 1878 Miss Ricbings was mem
Der of the Walnut-street Theatre Com
panv. She left the Walnut in January,
1859, and for several years travelled as a
star.
In September, 1865, Miss Richings ap-
peared as the leader of the Richings Eng
iisb Opera Troupe, and achieved q success
that the public is familiar with, and sue
ceeded apparently in making English
opera, what 1t had never before been,
permanently fashionable and popular.