The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-06-09
Our Hetresy.


I.EsoUE OPERA-THE AUDIENCE AND TIE
pI,AYERs-MR. sIEGEI's MUsIC-THE PIECE
QUITE SUCCESSFUL.
The local burlesque opera "Our Heiress,"
libretto By w. Page McCarty, ESQ.,, music
arranged by Mr. &C. .sSicgel, was produced
for the first time at the Richmond Theatre
last night. Before shutdown there was
every promise Of "a very crowded house, but
the violent storm between and 8 O'Clock
deferred many who had bought tickets from
using them, and kept away undoubtedly
others who weuld have been present under
more favorable circumstances. AS it was
the house was considerably more than hall
full. But those who ventured forth had no
cause to regret it, though in not few in
stances carriage-hire had to be added to the
expenses OF the evening. The opera had
been literally and iudiciously advertised,
and the community was interested in its
success, and anxious to know how the
Young gentlemen taking part would meet
the demands of the lyric stage.
THE PLOT.
The story of the play, as it develops it.
self through number OF ludicrous situa-
tions and in spicy dialogue fin rhymel, is
| in brief: "Our Heiress" is the only child
OF MIR. and BIrs. Stamps, who have their
hearts and heads set upon seeing her well
settled in the world. A wealthy husband
is what they are looking for. There are
two suitors. Mr.. Spooner, the swell, Is ap-
proved by the parents. MIR. Ferdinand
Stroller, Impecunious and romantic, now
ever, gains the affection Of the young lady,
but the Stamps family forbid him their
house. Still this does not stop the court
| ing. A detective is employed to in
tercept the secret meetings OF the lovers,
and Ferdinand is captured while trespassing
upon the balcony of the parental demesne.
The unfortunate lover, thus rudey torn
from the presence OF his mistress, IS put ID
the cbain-gang, from which he soon escapes
and flies to his love, but is recaptured,
tried, and acquitted. The merchant selects
his son-in-law on strict business principles.
The rivals make financial exhibit OF their
wealth, as follows:
spooner. er.............."....s5ooo.oo 90
| Stroller. .............. 100000 10
The odd ten cents wins the girl, and there
il grand tableau illustrative OF love tri-
umphant and happiness universal.
THE CAST.
The following was the cast: Miss Ange-
lima, the heil ess, John D. Redford; Mr..
Stamps, q rich merchant, who makes SON.
| in-law on strict business principles, de-
| manding collateral security for the heiress,
Frank W. Cunningham; Dir. Spooner, his
appointed son-in-law, rich young man OF
the period, j. J.. Cowardin; Ferdinand
Stroller, the impecunious and romantic
lover, G. OBJ. Cowardin; Nipper, diabol-
ical detective, f. F. Dewitt; Telephoni, a
peripatetic organist, assisted by real Dar-
winian, Frank Walker; Jim Crow, a col
ored voter and artist on the banjo, G. H.
Cardoza; Chief-Justice Black, W. ?. Nc
Carty; Prosecuting Attorney, c. r. Whip
Die: Mrs. Stamps, the manGuvring mother,
Joseph w. Laube; Counsel for Defence,
Police-Justice, Captain Henry I. Miller !;
Sheriff, w. Upshur Bass; Foreman OF Jury,
Walter Simmons; Sheriff, Officers and At
tendants, Fairies, DC.
Chorus.-ActI l., Policemen; Act IL, At
tendants on May Queen; Act III. Jury.
Scenes.-Act 1.-The front OF the mer-
| chants house; CANDLES Hill in distance ;
Loves Young dream by moonlight. Act II.
Monroe Park; the Queen OF May, and the
cruel parents circumvented. Act III. The
courtroom the unexpected acquittal; the
model Of tax legislation, and tableauX OF
happiness according to strict dramatic rules.
| The overture was composed by Mr.. G. L..
SiegeI, and was highly creditable produc-
ton. "
| It was heard with more attention than
Richmond audiences usually give, and was
| appreciated by all the musical fraternity.
THE CURTAIN UP.
The actors showed some little nervous
ness and trepidation in the early part OF the
performance, but gradually got more conf-
dence in themselves, and :'warmed up to
their work." Some who were strongly SELF
| 1,I,i 10 cin n at
ease when required to drop into the COLO
quial tone. The chorus was very fine. 1t
gave complete satisfaction. The sound OF
the prompters voice was not heard half as
often as it has been on occasions here when
the actors were professionals and the enter
tainmentS OF far more pretentious charac-
ter.
In the first act the Policeman's chorus
was received with great applause. The
music is after the style OF the Conspirator's
chorus in Madam Ang0t and the Pirates 1
chorus in Girofla, and the words run
If you want policeman,
Rap the pavement with stick,
Yell as loud as ever you can; -. .
That's the way to DO the tr1ck. E..
| If 1t is u boy TO wollop,
If Il Is cat TO watch, g..
| Or q horse to fine for gallop, ..
| Ora yaler dog to catch; r.
Spring your rattle, blow your whistle,
| .',.. Rap the pavement with stick,
Holler fire, thieves. and murder, r.. .,..
| Till you make your neighbors sick.
Considering the brief time given to re-
hearsals the drilling Of the chorus was re-
markably good. With furthur practice this
feature is destined to be leading one in
i the opera. ~, ...iat ,..... !.
Il Following the Policeman's chorus, was :
delightful solo Emusic by SiegeD-
When the moonts brightly beantng,
i On the scene SO dear TO me;
\ In frances softly dreaming, s.-a. .'~
Sweet love, / wait for thee, &C., &C..
in which Miss Angelina gave the audienc,
the full benefit Of her naturally sweet ant
well-trained voice. Her (his) "nake.up,'
/ including back hair, earrings, pinback
and dress were admirable, and the acting
throughout first-rate. - -,
In, the balcony scene following "Comt
! Where My Love Lies Dreaming" ls very ap
propriately introduced, Ferdinand singing i
! TO Angelina, who is in the balcony. Prate'
cottage is in sight, and the rising moon (ol
glare of Tredegar furnace) and Thomas
cat on fence make up all that is wanting
to give poetry and grace to the situation.
The finale OF the first act is from La Som
nambula. The auintette is introduced herr
as duet and chorus, the policemen singing
accompaniment and initiating the motion;
of different instruments with their clubs
The tableau was tine.
ACT THE SECOND.
The Queen-of-M May celebration in Monroe
Park was very effectively presented. Ii
the red light Angelina on her throne
1 80 Il 1a. ~