Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-28
Opera Housr LIST WIGHT.
The Farini Troupe-NIiss Gilbcrtie David
sons Successful Debut.

The Farini Troupe-sIiss Gilbcrtie David
sons Successful Debut.
There was large audience at the Opera
House last evening and the Farini company
offered an exceptionally attractive pro-
gramme. The performance commenced
with the grand miserere scene of the fourth
act of II Trovatore, with Miss Lille West as
Leonora, and Mr.. F. Hilton as Maurice. No
one who had witnessed Miss Vests pei
Torrance as Azucena, on a former occasion,
would doubt her ability as an actress to fill
have acquitted herself 40 splendidly
IN the vocalization as she did
last night. Mr.. Hilton showed that he is
the possessor of clear tenor voice, of good
register, and fine tone. The voice, too, is
very sympathetic and emotional. It is
doubtful If this was not the gem of the even
ing.
But the event which was looked for, and
which probably drew two thirds of the peo-
pie to the Opera House, was the scene and
finale OF the first act of La TrBviata, in
which Miss Davidson was to make her debut.
On the rising of the curtain quite an ova-
ton greeted the fair debutante. Calm, self
possessed, easy, and graceful, she advanced
toward the footlights and gracefully bowed
her acknowledgements, and then commenced
thesdifhcult music with which she has chosen
s'to do or die"-and she did not die. The
very first note found its way to the hearts of
the audience. People who had come just
out of compliment and expected to witness
hasco were fairly carried away with en-
thusiasm. Miss Davidson's voice is a pure
soPranosof wide register, ringing, powerful
and fresh as the flowers of spring, and only
once or twice did it show ssgns of faltering
through the long and arduous strains, and
these were more the result of a natural trepi-
dation. Indeed it is astonishing that more ner-
vous excitement was not apparent. Applause
followed applause till at the fall of the cur
tain the enthusiasm burst forth in a pro-
longed redemand. Unabashed and with
wonderful composure she repeated the finale
even more brilliantly than before. The APP
plause was enthusiastic, and continued until
she again made her appearance, when she
sang very prettily and with great feeling,
from the Bohemian Girl, :sWhen other lips
and other hearts, There were not a few,
who recognized the natural talents and gifts
of the young lady, thought the concluding
words "and you'll remember me- would
prove prophetic-that the day will dawn
when, by dint of study and labor, little
Berthe, the child of l6 summers, will become
famous in the musical world.
Signor Fridori, as Eleasor, sang we'll an
aria from the Jewess. The entertainment
concluded with the second act of Martha,
with Miss Maggie Harris in the title role.
This was another surprise of the evening
This lady, who had not, till this evening,
taken any buta minor part, was most
grateful substitute for Madam Zeigler. She
has an excellent voice, and its freshness,
with her personal attractions, was much
more in keeping with the spirit of the opera
than the cast on the first programme. A
Lionel could we'll play to such Martha.
Mr.. Hilton was an excellent Lionel, and,
of course, Signor Farini was Plunkett
Signori Bassetti as Nancy was as satisfac-
tory as ever, and the four made an excellent
quartet in the goodnight song. The COM
pany Is a very much stronger one than at first
would be supposed. There is not a member
| who is not qualified to take leading parts, as
was shown last night by two who had only
sang in choruses taking the principal roles
and acquitting themselves most satisfactorily
Mr.. f. Hilton and Miss Harris. This after
| noon Martha will be produced in English,
with Miss Harris in the title role, and to. night
II Trovatore, Madam zeigler and Miss West
changing places, the latter appearing as Leon
ora and the latter as the gipsey.