The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-11


audiences of the season in Rutland was that
which assembled at the Opera House last
evening to hear the celebrated opera of
"Martha,' as performed by the Boston
English opera company. Rutland turned
out well, and large delegations were present
from Brandon, Middlebury. W allngford,
Arlington, Bennington and other towns.
In fact, the occasion was better patronized
than any for several years, save the concert
of Theodore Thomas. The company who
were to appear were but little known in
this section, none of them ever haying APP
peared upon the Vermont stage, we believe,
before, certainly not In Rutland. Conse-
quently much curiosity was rife to see and
hear them, and also to witness the almost
unheard of attempt to give an opera with
only four in the cast. To those who have
been wont to attend the opera in the cities,
have always been greeted with large
chorus, numbering from twenty-five to
fifty, and even more, TO render the per-
Torrance complete, and they were con-
sidered as Indispensable, il not the prin-
cipal feature of the evening. A rare enter
tainment was, therefore, announced to be
given, and curiosity was, perhaps, the
moving sensation which brought the most
of the people TO hear.
But those who expected failure or
farce were. we venture to say, every one
disappointed and greatly too, for the very
agreeable reason that the rendition was,
as whole, Il success. The plot and argu-
ment of the author were followed almost
to the very letter, a few of the minor Incl
dents being left out which only chorus
could produce The singing and acting
were, generally, a credit to the performers,
and gave them good reputation in this
section. The soprano, Miss Clara b. Nick
els, is Il lady Of rare vocal abilities, and
took the house by storm almost at once.
She has very sweet, flexible voice of
splendid range and compass, coupled with
bewitching face and presence, each of
which will win her place ere long among
the brightest and most favored on the con-
cert or opera stage Her voice is promis-
ing, for she is still young, and more than
promising, for it showsrare cultivation and
excellent natural qualities. In the ever
familiar air, "The Last Rose of Summer"
she showed her voice to fine advantage !;
also IN the duet "To his eye mine kindly
turning" and with Lionel in "The Spring
has returned Her acting was satisfactory
always and at times quite charming.
Mr.. E. S. Payson, the basso. who per-
sonated the two characters of Plunkett
and Lord Tristan, was next to Mrs
Nickels in merit and in popular favor.
And his fine voice deserves need of
praise which we award to but few Amerl
can bassos. Always under perfect control
and containing depth of richness and
power quite rarely found, Mr. Payson
may well be proud of possessing such a
voice. His singing was made marked
success in everything he attempted and
should we attempt to select any special
air more successful than the rest we could
Out give the enlire isl.
The character of Nancy was made deci-
dedly pleasing and oftimes quite ludicrous
by the excellent acting of Mrs. Flora T..
Barry, the contralto of the company. Her
voice is also good and harmonized well
with that of Miss Nickels, the duets be-
tween the two being capital, every one.
In the aria of "Why,my soul" Mrs. Barry
sang especially well and her voice at all
times was very distinct in pronunciation.
She acted especially cunning in the love
scene with Plunkett and in the peasant
scene and others she appeared with much
acceptance.
Mr. Chas. II. Clark, the Lionel of the
company, has smooth and sweet
voice of hardly medium capacity, which in
the parlor is apt to win the sweetest smiles
from the ladies and is accepted as the
voice of the "sighing swain the world
over. 1t lacks power, however, to fit ii
for the opera This was sadly the case in
his first appearance, but he reused himself
to the demands of the music in the last
scenes and was rewarded by being called
back at the close of that favorte air gen
orally known as "Ah, so fair" His rem
dition of that grand solo Lost, Prescribed
we regret to say was nearly failure.
The costumes of the company were al
in keeping with the opera and those of thu
ladies', especially the hunting suits, wer'
models of taste and beauty. The instru
mental part of the opera was performed
upon the piano by Mr.. j. A. Howard, IN (
very acceptable manner.
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