National Republican., 1877-11-12
An USEM ENTS.
The National-The Hess English Opera Sea-

Tho National-The Hess English Opera Sea-
son.
The opera season will be inaugurated this
evening ut the National in an exceptionally
brilliant manner by Mr.. c. d. Hess and his
new company. This experienced musical
manager, appreciating the desire Of the Amer
lean public for something new in the musical
line, has made a complete departure from the
old hackneyed repertoire of operas, and will
present this week to the Washington public
three new operas, "A Summer Nights Dream"
Chimes of Normandy" and "Villar's Dra-
goons," works which have proved brilliant
successes on the French stage. To interpret
these new works Mr.. Hess brings with him a
company consisting Of frst-class artists whose
vocal and acting qualities alike call for the
highest commendation. The prima donna,
Miss Emelie Melville, is one of those remarka-
| BILE artists In whom youth, beauty, and bril-
liant talents are combined During the past
| four weeks she has magnetized the New York
public at the fashionable Fifth.Avenue Thea
tire, and completely won the hearts
of the exacting critics Of the metro
| polls. Her voice combines brilliancy
and sympathetic expression qualities rarely to
be found together In singer nowadays. The
ever welcome contralto, Mrs. Zelda Seguin,
better opportunities to display her great sbili-
ties than any others by which she is known to
our public. Castle is In better voice than ever,
and has an able conJrere in the tenor line In the
person of Turner. Henry Peakes has sur
passed all his previous achievements In the
roLe of Fdistaf, in Thomas opera, and on Tues
day night he will create here the role of Ser
sednt Bafiste, In LES Dragons de Villas." Mr..
Mortons acting in the role Of the miser, Cas-
pdrd, in Planquette's "Climes Of Normandy"
Is said to be startling in its vividness and
power Signor Operti is an expc fenced, con-
scicntious leader, and Miss scarle, Messrs.
Scguin and Benitz have proved themselves TO
be thorough artists. With such u company
and with such operas, presented with new
dresses, scenery and appointments, brought
especially from Paris, the season Of the Hess
English Opera Company will undoubtedly be
one of the most brilliant ever known in WASH
ington. Our city has long ago earned the
proud title of being an oreratic CEN
tire, in which success made by an
artist is sure to attract the attention and in
tcrcst of all surrounding cities. A verdict of
approval from Washington carries with 1t
great weight throughout the country, us the
keen sense of appreciation of all that apper-
tains TO the highest standard of art which
CharacteriZes our public is a sufficient guaran-
tee, when one of approval, of the excellence Of a
company. The story of the opera which will
be presented for the inst time this evening Is ro-
mantle and interesting. Good Queen Bess, Wild
Will Shakespeare and Bully Jack Falstaif fappear
in series of mystifying scenes, in which the
wine cup, pink dominoes, moonlit glades,
throne chambers and old. fashioned inns are
deftly interspersed. The English version Is
skilfully done by Mr.. NJ. A. Cooney, to whom,
We are also indebted for the Chimes or Nor.
mandy" and "Villar's Dngoons." A week Of
real novelties is promised us. Mr.. Hess gives
us new company and the best artists the
. lyric stage can supply. Nothing more at.
tractive can be presented OH the boards OF ouI
leading theatre.