The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-02-09
TIM OPERA.
First Performance or One In Dallas.

Fields thcnter was crowded last
night with the largest and most fash
lonable audience that ever assembled
In this city. The occasion wOs the
first performance Of Flotow's beautiful
little opera Of "Martha" by n number
of lady and gentlemen amateurs. II
had been but short time In prepara-
ton, and was given sooner than was
originally intended. For first per-
lormance by amateurs II was highly
creditnblc to the lyric talent and NIT
steal culture OF all who tool, part In 1t.
The cnsl was u very fair one, and the
opera was put upon the stage, In the
way of scenery, choruses and 0rchcs-
tra, in u way that reflects much credit
upon the management and Prot. Often,
who has been interchangeable and ubiqu-
itous from first to last.
The part Of Martha was taken by
Miss ELLA Rives, formerly of Virginia,
young lady whose pure method, high
~ cultivated soprano voice, with its
plainiive sweetness and flpXibility,
united to modest, pensive manner,
made her just the beau ideal of that
character. She sang her part with the
feeling and ease of an artist, and her
voice, with its clear notes, marvellous
trill, and n certain vein of tenderness
running through it, made her render
ing of her songs singuarly pleasing
and touching. An Italian would say
she has "tears in her voicen Miss
Rives achieved n musical triumph, and
where everything was sung 80 well it
would be difficult to particularize.
Mrs. Ben Ward made n charming
"Nnucy.n The embarrassment in
seperable from y first performance was
not sufficient to prevent her becoming
quite at home, and in the duet with
"Plunllett" in the fourth act, she was
as coluetish and merry as the part re-
quired, and saug with more warmth
and spirit than Mt any other time.
Mrs. Ward possesses mezao soprano
voice of considerable power, fine avn
pass, and rich and mellow in tone. In
the duet in the first act with "Nancy, y
the song at the opening of the third
act, and in the last net, she won fresh
lyric laurels, which she can wear de-
servedly.
The famous "spinning wheel" scene
was admirably done, the acting and
singing of all being good.
The part Of "Lioner was sung by
DIR. j. w. McGhee, who was evidently
suffering from the effects of violent
cold and the fatigue incident TO such a
strain upon his voice MS the part re-
quires. The music demands much of
tenor voice and the success with
which he got through is sufficient
proof of his capacity as singer
When Il younger man he possessed a
voice of rare strength, compass, sweet
ness aud smoothness, and it still re-
tains many of its original elements,
which was heard here and there in
different songs and duets. The beau
tiful song, Like Dream" was ex-
ceedingiy well sung, for instance.
Mr.. II. III. Foat made "Plunkettr
worthy Of the operate boards. He
hos the advantage of fine physique
and handsome personal appearance,
and one of those rich, light bass
voices which approximate in tone,
quality and richness to baritone.
His method Is good and his acting un-
usually clever for an amateur. There
il clear, horn like sound about some
of his notes, which come rolling out
with an ease that is quite remarkable.
In the duet in the first act, between
''Lionew and "Plunkett,r and in the
duet between "Nancyn and opium.
kett' in the last act, as well as in the
"prayer" In the last act, he was very
artistic and thoroughly good.
Major OLeachain's "TristanN was
In every way an admirable effort. He
sang the thankless and difficult music
Of that ungrateful part with as much
correctness and taste a. II It had been