The daily gazette., 1880-05-05
4naaISe31te1Lts.

'iSS nDDofi nj THE OfEhA HhUbEs
The story of "Paul and Virpinia"
is known to almost every reader in all
climes, and those who were present at
the Opera House last evening to hear
Miss Abbott in the opera of "Paul and
Virginia" were hardly prepared to
witness the change in the story. Why
1t Vas that Victor Masse should change
the story when he adopted it to an
opera, is known, perhaps, but to the
author himself.
Victor Masse has been brought
somewhat into prominence as an opera
tic composer since he set the story of
paul and Virginia" to music. His
ideas of music are good and in this his
last opera the score at times is particu-
larly good. 1t is not saying too much
when the assertion is made that the
audience that assembled at the Opera
House last evening were in the main
disappointed. They had expected a
treat from Miss Abbott, and that made
the disappointment keener. How
she has rendered the opera in other
cities is not known, but it was mani
fest last evening that the large and
Da'A'eafo hoNiOhOO WCtO
that is if on one judges from the ap-
plause Miss Abbott is a good actress
but as IL leading singer in an opera
company she fails to show that mag
netic influence that is needed. On the
other hand she seems distant and cold,
and the audience seems to feel that
they are invited to keep their distance.
She has rather a good voice, but it is
hardly probable that she will ever be-
come great singer.
The only number in which she made
any great impression upon the audi
ence was her duo in the second act
with MIR. Castle. She had another
splendid opportunity in a solo in the
third act, but she did not grasp it. Mr..
William Castle, as Paul, did we'll, but
he is not the Castle of five years ago,
Mrs. Zelda Seguin won fresh laurels
last evening. She has always been q
lavorite in this city, and it was thought
by many that she was the prinsa d0nBt
of the evening.
The other characters wero made til,
most of by those to whom they wer,
assigned. 1t is certainly to be regret
ted that Wilmington cannot enjoy ;
good performance OF an opera. Th'
companies that visit here come Will
the best of recommendations, and gen
orally announce that they will be sup
ported by full and complete choru
and orchestra. Thus it was with Mis-
Abbott, but her managers fail to sup
ply either full chorus or full orches
ira. 1t is to be hoped that when Mis-
Abbott appears in this city again sh
will be in more sympathet mood
THE SLEEP OF TWENTY YEARS.
There is every assurance of com
plete presentation on Friday evening
of Washington Irving's beautiful le
gendary story, Grip Van Wrinkle.
The Pottsville Chronicle says:
Last evenings representation wa
. ii surprise and success. The larg
audience was moved as with an ell
t chanter's wand. MIR. Keane has mad
: some slight alterations in the action {
the play, noticeably in the second aG
where "Trip" is among Hendrick Hue
son and his crew. A good word mus
be said for the very excellent suppor
Gretchen, in the person of Miss Kat
Pell, was an improvement over all TO
. mer renditions /; her cruelty to Rip wa
the outcropping of his neglect and il
n temperance only beneath it all ST
= was still loving wife, thus giving
Il redeeming quality and balance to til
character. Little Meenie and Hel
: . drck were the occasion ofmuch praise
they were natural and "well up"
y their parts, and evoked frequent al
n plause. derrick Won Beekman," b
It Il. Z. White, was well sustained. I'll
support throughout was above til
3 average. We can safely recommend til
a performance, and bespeak for all wi
may attend a wholesome evenings s el
a joyment.