The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-14

dentedly successful in every respect, was
brought to close on Saturday night, when
Verdi's grand opera, Eruani, in four acts, was
rendered by Madame Van Zlndt as Eivirs,
Miss Howarth rs GIovanna, Mr.. Comfy as
Duke di Silva, Mr.. Carlton as Charles ",
Mr.. Marson as Iago, and Mr.. Castle as E..
mani. It was fitting selection for the occa.
sion, and the memory Of those rich and
thrilling notes will ring for many a day
in the ears OF the brilliant audience thst as.
sembled to bid adieu to Miss Kellogg's une.
quaIled English Opera Company. p
The plot of the opera must be familiar to
ali. The scene is laid in the mountains OF
Arragop, and the time Is during the early
part of the sixteenth century The Incl.
dents are taken from q drama Of the same
name by Victor Hugo.
The opera opens with scenein the noun
tains of Arragon. In the distance the Moor
ish castle OF Don Silva Is seen. It is. near
sunset, and the rebels and bandits are eating
and drinking; some are diyerting them.
selves at play, and others are arranging their
arms. They sing grand chorus" ALI
welcome the -bowln-as Ernani ap-
pears in the distance slowly descend.
ing the rocks. Mr.. Castle Is just the
artist to sing the difficult music allotted to
Ernani; and most acceptably did he render
bis part on Saturday night. His soft, sweet
notes In the solo Balmier. thou Due" in
the THO in the second act with Madame Van
Zandt and Mr.. Comfy, and ia the exquisite
duet, "Death would add Elysium's Bless
ing,n-whieh he sung with EYira, were
particularly striking. But Mr.. Castle needs
NO praise, for he is undoubtedly the most
finished operate actor that ever sings in
English opera on the American stage.
Madame Van Zandt, who sang the part Of
Elvira, won for herself fresh Iaurels. In
deed, it is sometimes q very difficult matter
to decide whether she or Miss Kellogg has the
iHest voice. Madame Van Zandrs voice is
one of great compass, and her reed.like
notes are as sweet as they are rich and
strong. Several times during the opera on
Saturday night she was encored, and always
enthusiastically applauded at the conclusion
of her part. She was the recipient of two
or three handsome bouquets. and was more
than once called before the curtain to receive
the award she so richly deserved.
MIR. Carlton, as Charles ", eXcelled him.
self. he hss, it is true, a glorious baritone
voice, but it is one of such compass that he
can sing the role Of tenor, apparently with
quite as much ease as be mastered bis own
part. His rendition Of the solo in the third
act, with grand chorus by the entire compa'
ny, was undoubtedly the gem of the evening,
and the audience insisted upon It's repetition,
Mr.. Comfy also deserves special mention
for the excellent manner In which he acquit.
ted himself as Duke di Silva. He Is the for.
tunate posseSsor of bass voice of Enusua
power, and he is destined to become one o
the most noted members of the company.
Mr.. Marson as Iago and Miss Howarth as
Giovanna also acquitted themselves very
handsomely. The orchestra and chorus, too, as
usual, fulfilled the expectation of all present,
and the entire opera was rendered to perfec'
ton.
The Lily of Killarney, which is founded
upon the drama of Colleen Bawn, was per-
formed by the Kellogg troupe at the matinee.
On Saturday afternoon the dranaatiS per.
song was Miss Kellogg as Ely OConnor;
Ann Chute, Mrs. Seguin; Mrs. CregaD, Miss
Annis Montague; MyIes ma Coppaleep, DIR.
Fl. T. Allen; Father Thorn, Mr. Peakes
Mr.. Corrlgap, Mr.. VIM. Hamilton; O'Moore,
Mr.. Morgan; Mr.. Joseph Mas, Hardress
Cregan. +.
Miss Kellogg was In excellent voice, and
sang charmingly whenever she appeared,
and time and again had to respond to an
encore. The same may be said of Miss
Seeuin, whilst Miss Montague fully sustained
her well-earned reputation. Messrs. Mas,
Peakes, Hamilton, and Allen were all fully
up in their parts, and held the attention Of
the audience throughout the entire opera
Indeed, the whole cast executed their various
parts in highly satisfactory manner. while
the choruses were elegantly rendered, par
tieuarly "The Hunting Chorus" which
was sung by thirteen male voices.
The company left the city yesterday after
noon at 2:35 O'Clock for Washington, and
from thence to Baltimore, where they will
render new opera entitled "The Star OF
the North" which the troupe have been
rehearsing in this city. From Baltimore they
90 TO New York.