The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-18

FOgD's JUVENILE OPERA COMPANY IN Els-.
AFoIE.-Richmond has rarely eVeE VIII
messed as charming performance as thae
which was presented at the lheatte ,as1
night in the rendition Of Plnafore Dy MF.
Ford's company OF boys ana giris. II was
an astonishing exhibition OF memory anu
superior training, as well as an atiiaZ,ns M
display OF remarkable musscai talent. we
had read glowing accounts OF what ,hese
little folks could do, but the splendid au-
dience which welcomed the company last
night were wholly unprepared for an eve
ming OF such real amusement and delSht-
iul Measure as that which they expe"
rfepced. tt,.... ~
This was the cast: Sir Joseph Porter, 3.
C. B.. Master William Smith; Captain Cor
corun. Master John Smith; Dick Deadeye,
Master r. Coverdale; Ralph RackstraW,
Master Charlie Minchin; The BoatsWaln,
Master W. Baker; Bill Bobstay, Master d.
Mackey; Bob Beckett, Master O.. RaWiey; :;
Marine. Master George Lehnert; Josephine
Miss Lily alslow; Little Buttercup, Miss
Melissa Walters; Cousin Hebe, MISS A.
Myers. ,,:u:.
The audience was large and brilliant
! one. and very soon after the curtain rose
were not only in full sympathy with the at
tractiye little professionals before them, bat
were completely carried away with theif
acting and music.
1t is very difficult task to give the reaC-
er faiihful idea Of the merit OF these coii-
dren. To see q tiny little girl scarceiS
seven years old, we'll up in the "stase pus'-
! ness with face as sweet and attractive
wouIu no rfrun:l:. fiRdl.-ap5 -a-Yolce that
rather difficult role Of Josephine" is sur
pr1sins. hut where we find the whole COM
pany III children (the oldest only thirteen
years.. numbering nearly fifty, equal, il not
superior; 10 any Pinaiore company in the
country, il is indeed Il most astonishing eE-
hhition. Such was the performance OF the
Juvenile Opera Company last night.
The boys who played Sir Joseph and
Captain Corcoran-twin brothers-wcre as
much alike as two peas. and performed
their parts admirably. Both have good
voices, were perfectly at home in their
parts, and charmed the audience. But the
most attractive character in the caste was
Josephine, 4 self-possessed little creature,
who was irresistible. She is indeed a>wcet,
graceful little child, and no doubt chal med
the heart OF many mother who witnessed
the opera.
"Dlck Dcadeye," a. portrayed by Master
Coverdale. was IN admirable character. and
reflected the highest credit upon the boy
training and YocaliZatlon. Rackstra", 100
Master M,nchin sang and acted admirably
; and came in for Il large share OF the appro
baton OF the audience.
"Buttercup Miss Walters-wa:
perhaps the best voice in the company, ant
charmed everybody present. Master George
Ichncrt, the Marine" was great acqll
sition to the opera, and convulscd the audi
enea with his grimaces and curious per
formanccs. "CouSin IIebe "-Miss Myers
who al the close OF the opera was 50 Kind.
patronized by Sir Joseph, sang very sweetly
, and was heartily appaudcd for her part II
the interesting entertainment. In fact, al
did well, and as 4 whole the opera was ad
mirably rendered.
During the first act the entire compan.
; ruyc an exhibition OF the superior mannc
: in which they have been drilled. me
marched and counter-marched upon III
, stage, and went througha Il number OF am
cult cvoutions, in which their eXtraord
: nary training was finely displayed. IN
: orchestra, too, was not behind in the IN
! portaut part they took in the opera, ana
! them is due much of the credit Of the er
. tcrtainment.
!, Tonight Pinafore will be repeated, an
no doubt there will be an Immense mouse
,, as the performance really deserves.