National Republican., 1873-02-05
DRAMATIC FEuILLEToN
The Colored Opera.

The second representation Of the opera Of
'"The Doctor Of AlcAntara," at Lincoln hall, last
night was an Improvement upon the first The
natural nervousness Of the singers was better
overcome, and they made better use OF their
| nno voices. For the sake OF making some just
| reflections and comparisons we select the name
OF Miss Lena Miller, who sang the tOie OF Isabella
| Here ls h young lady really pretty In form and
feature, graceful In stage presence, modest In
manner, and imbucd with true affection anti
singer, but her voice Is sweet, clear, aud at
| times sympathetic. In this simple statement
| high hut JudiCiOns praise Is Included, and here
we might stop, but Miss Miller'S presence In
| opera has a Significance and promise Infinitely
pleasing TO all candid and well Judging minds
| concerning the race TO which she belongs.
| Before the curtain rolled up on the serenAde
scene one could not help recalling the dark aud
bloody pictures OF "chains and slavery" oflgnor-
ance and degradation that once surrounded these
colored people, and how those pictures were
| irradated with the cOlOrs Of hope, ambition and
gratitude by Mr.. LlncOln's god-llke action In his
proclamatlons of freedom and emancipation.
| Emancipation not only gave liberty TO the Afrl-
| can race, hut II gave the world colOred poets and
| painters, orators and senators, Judicial magis-
trates, and men Of science, scuiptOrs and must
clans, and as one Of the nrst fruits Of liberty a
regularly organized opera company At the ma
tional capital. This Is long, long step In ad-
years ago, and il reveals possibilities for them
that are Indeed gratifying TO all their well wish
en.
| NeltneT mlhh MlllcT nor MIh. FtnhllWOO0, nor
any OF the company, have had the advantage OF
musical training In European or American con-
seryatorles. They have TO depend alone upon
Tnls faet " ons wslsS yas,lS N tbep faxo;
and protects them from the rules aud standards
| by which Alkaline Patti or Louise Kellogg would
they sing and perform extraordinarily well, and
as for the chorus, II is superior to that Of any
Italian or German opera heard In this city for
years.
Mr.. BenJAmin's ImpersOnatlon Of Or. Para
| celsius was really q good bit OF acting, and Mr..
| Grants Carlos won him deserved applause.
the roe Of Don P9mPosa, by Mr, T, II; VII
His acting was good and his voice full Of richest
melody.
and Mrs. sprague, General Holt and many
others. The experiment doubtful at first, has
proved genuine success.
| Sayille's.
willard hall was handsomely nlled last night,
the attractions being "The Little Treasure" aud
"All That Glltters Ia Not Gold" Mr. sayille'a
assumption OF the role OF Captain Walter Maiden
blush was agreeable and entertaining. With q
| nne conception OF the part and much natural
acting he again advanced his claims ~ an actor
| OF sterling merit and proved what we have again
and again said, that he ought to appear on his
| own stage Oftener than he does. Mr.. NinlnR
Bowers as Hon. Leicester Furthermore was very
funny and gave most excelleat rendition Of the
May sayilles Interpretation OF the character OF
Martha Gibbs, In Gan That Gtters In Not GOld,"
was a happy performance, and although totally
different from the character Of Mrs. Desmond,
| In "KeTry," she reminded US Of the genulneness
Of her merit as an actress. II Is In such tender,
| frank and emotional roles as these that she eX-
GELS. The stephen Plum OF Mr., ThOrne was
more than acceptable. His acting was true,
natural and effective, and won from all present
much praise, The music by the orchestra was
| prominent feature Of the evenings entertain
Inent, all OF which was keenly rellshed.
Tho Theatre COmiaue.
The great merit Of the entertainment at the
COmlque drew a large house again last night,
aud IN the audience there was a fair number Of
ladies. Mile Fontalnbleau executed without
accident her thrilling miialr and mAdcap feats.
| Notwithstanding her ease and nerve, the eNhl0-
| tlOn IL painful 10 witness Tor the slightest mis-
take on her part would surely result IN terrible