The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-25

The OPER4-BoHEaUAN GIRL.-- NJ WlnateYer
else may be said Of Balie's familiar opera,
the !" Bohemian Cir, b it.. Is very safe to-
state that NO opera has ever been presented
in Richmond which. was at :one time. SO
UNIVERSAL Vi popular, and around which
cluster somaly pleasant associations. Miss.
Caroline fRichings's company sang il at our
Theatre upon the occasion of their. first
visit. Castle sang the part OF Thaddeus,
Peaks or Mr.. Seguin was Deyilshoef, Mr..
Campbell was Count Arnhcfm, and Miss
Edith Abell was the charming Airline of the,
troupe. No English opera company ever
presented the Bohemian Girl with more force
or effect Our amateurs were thrilled, The
familiar and popular airs OF the opera were
sung for many months afteYWard IN the par
lors Of nearly every musician in Richmond.
It was from, Campbell that the amateur
baritone voices were taught 70 sing g The
Heart Bow'd Down y; from Castle were the
tenors inspired TO- sing g Then You'll Re-,
member Me, and from Miss aRichings or
Miss Abel the still opular ballad Z.
Dream'd that :IEDWeH in 8 Marble Halls"
The !" Richmond Amateur Opera Company"
took up the Bohemian Cir, and they pre-
rented 1t on several occasions with credita-
tbley success. But it is needless further to
refer to these matters. They are familiar;
to all who knew the honored prima donna.
ms. Miss Richings, and who to-day .stiH ap-4
preciate and admire her as Mrs. Bernard.
She was the first artist to introduce English
opera in Richmond, and she will be the last
one forgotten. It is only Just to her to say
that she esteems more highly the affection
ate regard the Richmond people have shown
for her than any noted singer who has ever
graeed the boards in Richmond. II @
Last night another fine audience greeted
her new company upon the occasion OF the
presentation OF the Bohemian Girl, with
the following cast: Airline (the Bohemian
Girl, Mrs. Caroline Richings-B Bernard;
Gipsy Queen, Mrs. Henri Drayton; .Buda,
Miss Amy Phillips; Thaddeus, Mr.. Harry
Gates Florestein, Walter Bird; Count
Arnheim, Mr.. John j. Benitz; Devilshoof,
Mr.. Frank Howard. ,a s.t+ tprr4s,;t Y
OF the frst.act we will say nothing. We
leave it to Mrs. Bernard's audience. They
will doubtless be more charitable to-day
than we could fairly be. Mr.. Gates's cava-
tina, "Tis Sad to Leave Your Fatherland,"
however, and the prayer towards the end OF
the act, deserved to be kindly remembered.
In the second act Mrs Bernard sang the,
gypsy girls dream, 81 Dream'd That I
DWelt in Marble Halls" with great sweet
ness and fine effect. The duet following,
with Thaddeus Mr.. Gates(, was charmingly
rendered, and both received encoreS. The
qu1rtette between Airline, Queen, Thad-
deus, and Devilshoof, 6. From the Valleys
and Hills" also received an encore.
The gems OF the evening were: Mr..
Benitz's song, 'sThe Heart Bow'd Down
by Weight OF Woe"; Arline's dream;
Thaddeus's ssThen You'll Remember Me"
and "Fair Land OF Poland" The latter
was particularly pleasing.
Mrs. Henri Drayton is not unknown here.
She is fair actress, but has no voice for
the Gipsy Queen.
Mr.. Bird played the part OF Florestein
pretty well, and afforded his audience some
amusement.
It is but just to say that both Mr.. Benitz
and Mr. Gates improve upon acquaintance.
They seemed to be more at home last eve
ming, and will doubtless continue to give
greater satisfaction during the remainder of
their stay in this city.
Mr.. Howard played Devilshoof better
than we expected he would, but take the
opera as whole, it was not rendered near
SO well as Martha.
Tonight one of the most popular operas
in Mrs. Bernard's repertoire will be pre-
scented" Fra .Diavolo "-and. no doubt
there will be. crowded house. eaa
Martha is announced for the matinee.
j, 80. = - 1000 - ~, = - =