The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-09

While it is pretty generally known that
number OF our amateur musicians will pro-
duce the opera Of Cinderella at the Rich
mond Theatre in May next, and that it will
be given for the benefit OF the Retreat for
the Sick, few persons, not even excepting
those who are to take part, are aware OF the
magnitude and character OF the enterprise.
a short sketch, therefore, OF the opera,
description Of the manner in which it will
be rendered, and the work Of preparation in
which hundreds Of orr citizens are engaged,
will not be devoid OF interest.
THE RETREAT FOR THE SICK,
for the benefit OF which the opera is to be
given, is m institution which does incalcu-
liable good in our midst. 1t is there that
patients from the highest to the lowest
walks Of life receive every care and atteu-
ton that skill and gentle nursing can ad-
minister. The comforts OF home are there
found for each according to his require
mcnts and means, and-to many (who from
poverty are unable TO meet the moderate
payments) the hand Of charity is extended
by the Christian and generous lady man
ayers having it in charge.
| THE WORK INSPIRED.
Professor 0. T. Ericsson, well known
| hcIe for so many years IA 4 teacher OF lam
@ragcs and skilful musician, has been con-
fined at the Retreat By injuries received in
fall over 4 railroad cmbankmcnt in Man.
| chester the first day OF April OF last year.
The generous care and attention bestowed
upon him during his lorS SoIourn there
| has made him naturally most grateful TO
the institution, and in his anxiety to do
something in return for lis advancement he
suggested and advocated the advisabiity OF
producing some grand opera in which all
the talent in our city should be engaged.
| Tue idea was accepted as good one, but
while the Retreat did not lack OF good and
ready friends, to find one possessing the
qualifications and administrative ability ne
| ccSSary for such an undertaking, and IN
opera that could be adapted to the capaci-
| ties Of amateurs and at The same time be
unusually effective, was difficult task.
Mr.. CHARLES l.. SlEGEL
was the one man Of the city possessing the
| diversity of talent, energy, and power Of
management necessary for the successful
conduct OF such IN undertaking; and as he
has ALWAYS been found ready to assist in
every worl. OF charity he generously gave
! bis sid in this extremity. His best efforts
have been directed in carrying out the
work, and the result bids fair to be most
gratifying in every respect, as it gives to our
! Young ladies and gentlemen an opportunity
OF developing and cultivating their musical
tastes aud talents, to the city generally an
entertainment rs pleasing as it will he
subject OF pride to have produced such
work, and to tie Retreat for the Sick adj
ditionaI means for prosecuting the work OF
Christian charity.
THE OPERA SELECTED,
Cinderella, was first produced in Italian,
under the name Of Cenerentola, and set to
music for grand opera By the renowned
Rossini. The English version OF the grand
o2cra Of Cinderella was first put on the
London stage about 1885. and maintained
its wonderful popularity for some years..
Though all its exquisite music was COM
posed by Rossini, it was adapted to the
English lihretto by Il very remarkable Eng
l;sh musician OF that day, Rophino Lacy,
who. not content with the music OF Gene
rentola, extracted from most OF the great
mnstros' operas then eXtant, and wove them
into
THE ENCHANTING GARLAND
that adorns the fairy legend that has de-
lighted us all since our childhood. This
opera OF Cinderella was played in this coun-
try about 1910 by the then celebrated SeSnln
Troupc for hundreds of nights. Always
popular, the audience seeming never to
weary Of the comic pomposity OF Baron
Poupolino, the brazen impudcncc OF the
impostor Dandni, the loye->ick rcfrains OF
Prince Felix, Cinderclla's sweet simplicity,
and the sisters ill.natured ical1u>ic<-all
wonderfully expressed in such cnchant-
|. ing musical measure that one never tires
, hearing it. But not only is the ear ravished
, with this excess Of sweetness, but the eye
is also treated to al! the delights OF tie Fairy
Queen and her minions, enchanted groves,
singing birds. and golden fountains.
whence the silver waters flow. followed
by the most wonderful mctamorphosis,
such as one would scarce believe.
Pumpkins transformed into carriages, rats
, TO horses, ard mice to elegant livericd
drivers and footmcn, to take Madame Gin
dcrellat TO the grand ball. Truly when one
t gets too 64ei to enjoy all this they must be
. hopeessiv dyspeptic. 1t was with great
: difficulty the musical score and lijrcto Of
this famous orera could be obtained, as only
/ one acting copy WAS to he found in this
= country, fortunately in the hands of Mrs.
Edward Segun, or New York, who, learn
. ing from Mr.. John +. Allen OF the purpose
| for which it WIS 10 be used. and at his earn
est request kindly loaned it to the ladies
OF the Retreat, and through their Empresa-
rio, Mr.. Sicgcl, it
WILL BE PRODUCED
! for the benefit OF this worthy charity on
:. tue 5tll, 7tb, and 9th of May, on scale OF
magiticence that has rarely been eXcclled IN
this country. Mr.. Sicgel is assisted by scy-
cra gentIemea, who give him Invaluable
: aid.
THE STAGE MACHINERY
will be complete in every respect. Mr.
: John +. Allen, Mr.. William Shepherd, and
Mr.. John Elder will paint scenery eSpc-
clally for the occasion; and Mr.. Shepherd
has already designed all the costumery.
Mr.. Horace Z. Edmond has generously
volunteered his services for this charitable
work, and is busily gagged in getting up
the mechanical contriyances which are TO
add so much to the grand scenic effects which
will be brought out. His most ingenious
invention will be q contrivance by which he
: will make two little girls fly off on the backs
OF butterflies.
Mr.. G. Rientz is manufacturing some Of
the delicate mechanism for butterflies, etc.
and numbers OF ladies throughout the city
are industriousiy engaged in making CO.'S
TUNES.
THE REHERSALS,
under the direction OF Manager Siegci. are
admirably conducted, and baye been held III
the hall of the Richmond Female Institute,
on Tenth street. The great improvement
manifest, and that, too, considering the
short lime they have been held, is al evil
dcnce of superior instruction. A full re-