The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-14
ANU s e n z N T S.

UNrON LEAGuE THEATRE-AMATEUR OPERA.-The
Union League theatre was last n,gnt filled to over
moving by o distinguished audience, brought
together TO give practical expression to their SYM
patty with the Cubans in their struggle for indie.
pendence, By contributing to the support Of those
families that have been reduced to poverty BY the
absence or death Of SOUS or fathers. The piece
selected by the organizers OF the amateur opera,
Messrs. Emilio Agramonte and F. F. Martinez, was
verdl's "Ernani,n which gave full scope for the
exercise OF dramatic as well as vocal power. The
principal roles were sustained by Miss Lizzie Allen
as Elvira, Signor G. Boy as Ernani Signor F. +.
Martinez as Don Ruy Gomez de Silva, and Mr..
Frank Bartlett az Don Carlos. The opera opens
with brigand scene, and we soon learn that Er-
man, the cnef is In love with the beautiful Elvira,
who, OF course, returns the outlaws afcctlon, but,
as necessary TO the interest OF the play certain
Old grcy.bearded grandec OF Spain has also fallen
In love with the charming fair, and Is about TO force
the young lady to marry HIM. But the brlgand
prise that his lady love has consented 10 accept his
rival, he reproaches her with her perfdy IN the
fourth scene OF the second part The acting Of
Signor Boy was natural this scene, and made one
forget the poverty OF his voice. While the lovers
are explaining they are surprised by the enraged
De Silva, who denOunCes vigorously the baseness OF
the brigand and the lady. This was one OF the
most effective and vigorously rendered scenes.
S,gnor Martinez as basso was . complete success,
and was loudly and repeatedly applauded. Mr..
Bartlett as Don Carlos made pasSable baritone,
and ne mad thrown little more force into his
acting would have been much more efecuve.
due to Miss LIZZIE. Allen, who not only
sang well, but acted with great judgment.
The orchestra was well conducted, but was 100
strong for the size OF the theatre ana occasionally
marred the effect OF the part singing by almost COM
pletely drowning the voices OF the singers. How
ever, the evenings entertainment was decidedly
good and the audience gave repeated proof OF sats-
on Monday, the 18th inst, for the same praise
port which Ii deserves. There can be no noDler
work than aiding the unfortunate.
STEINwAY HALI-MRs. MAoREADY's REClTALs.-
This lady gave the second reading of her series to
comfortable audience at this hall on Friday night
She evnced but little improvement in the treatment
Of her subjects. Her forte lies in comedy for In he
pictures OF deep passion, while possessed OF
tie attributes OF good reader, she Is liable 10 al
sorts OF eccentrcites OF gesture with
olt any particular bearing or force, say,
In their very wildness. The piece entitled
"rhe MANAGES Wife, closed the recital 1t is STATED
the bills TO be "the most thrilling and truthful
representation OF insanity ever gven.n This IL no
strictly lrue but II certainly Is piece OF the sheer
est iunacy ever seen on or OF the stage. The mine
may be dstraught, YET IN depicting horror, lear OF
despair the body follows the same rules as II
thorough sanity. Who ever heard Of a lunatic OF
anybody else terrified at q demon rushing forward
to meet hmY THIS piece had better be dropped
from the lady's repertoire Mr.. A. j. Knight. MIS-
Macreaiys pupil, assisted her TO little purpose. II
was, however, his first appearance in public.