The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-02

MISS ADAH RIcHMoND's Conc OPERA
COMPANY IN FATINITzA.-Miss Ada Rich
mond's Comic Opera Company appeared
at the Theatre last night in the new
Russian opera "Fatinltza," played for
the first time here this season by
Mr.. John T. Ford's Juvenile Company.
There was good audience in attendance,
and Miss Adah, who won many friends
here last season, was most cordially well
COZ ed. The "gods" OF the gallery, who
were quite numerous, were rather too
noisy to be pleasant in some Of their ap-
plause, but Miss Richmond responded to
the e'seores IN 4 good-natured manner, and
sung herself into the good graces OF the
audience, as we'll as into high state OF fa-
tigue. The elite OF the city seem to have
returned from the various springs, and the
dress-circle was quite resplendent with fue
bonnets, the owners OF which seemed not q
whit behind the goods" aforesaid in their
enjoyment Of Suppes fine music, although
gentle smile and faint tap Of the fan
took the place OF the whistle and stamp
overhead.
The new opera is no favorite of ours
There is much itch and difficult music in il, :,
but it is itself coarse, and will never be
popular here. however well played it may
IL
woman as she is, and as clever singer and
actress, can do no more with 1t than to make
i good impression for herself 1t will not
draw. Some OF the situations are extreme
ly unnatural and lacking in refinement.
But what we intended to write was rather
notice OF the performance than OF the
opera.
On the whole, it was we'll sung. The
choruscs were very fine. The Russians are
not supposed to be particularly polite,
which mus. account for the gentlemen OF
the army wearing their caps in the draw
ing-room. We are at loss for any other
reason. The ladies OF the hareln did not
dance a ballat as was expected. y shadow
pantomiGe was presented to amuse the
Russian envoy. 1t did not seem TO amuSc
him. But it is really pcasauter to praise
those who deserve it than to lind fault,
and it can be truly said that Miss
Richmond as Vladimir and FatinitZa quite
brought down the house. The lady has n
handsome face and pretty foot and hand,
and is fine actress. The Princess LYDIA
(NIiss Belle Grard) played her part OF the
high-brcd young lady very well indeed, and
although her singing sounded weak ut first,
came ont finely towards the end. Julian.
the newspaper correspondent (Mr. J. G. Ar
mandy. was the third OF this trio, who re-
ceiyed. in their song in the last act, not less
than three enCoreS. This gentleman seemed
modest and not inclined TO take much OF the
applause to himself, but he deserved his third
of il. The Count Timothy kaEtchuk off Mr..
Livingston Kent is very large and fierce
looking general, and played bis part SO well
as to make himself dSagrecab!e to the a,l-
dience as well Us the soldiers at tir>t. The
plucky manner in which he seemed to be
determined TO make himself appreciated
told upon his bearers, and in the laughing
song he was irresistible, and came in for his
full share or applause. Mustapha, Guard
OF the Harem, made his appearance as {
Heathcn Chinee," and avery fanny Celes
tial lie proved 10 be. His pig-ta!l, whIcE
was fixed on wires, wasged so expresslyely
rs TO cause as much merriment as the mos
studied piece OF acting or singing in tht
opera.
Tonight Fatinitza will be repeated.