Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-02-07
AMUsEMEHTS
rHE E OF MIaNoN.

Inc tneater was packed last Dlght
from pit 70 upper gallery, aud stand
ing room was at q premium. The au.
dicnce was byfar the most fashionable
Of the season, and the receipts we're
heavier than on any night for several
seasons. It was a gala occasion in the
truest sense, and the opera was a su-
preme success. But one fault could
be found with it, and that was the
long waits betweenacts which dragged
the termination Of the performance,
usually done in two and a half hours,
out beyond three, aud sent people
home considerably after eleven
O'Clock. Otherwise the opera ran
smooth, and the singing Of the leading
role was superb. Miss Abbott
and her company have won
a strong hold on every play-goer's
heart in this community. Nothing
like it has been experienced since the
Furnish dramatic troupe, half a dozen
years ago, created a furore by their
excellent playing, or Barry Sullivan's
splendid tragic acting, which was also
a surprising success. We have had
many opera troupeS here in years gone
by, but they we're always more or less
faulty. The Adelaide Phillips party,
with whom Karl first came some years
back, had several exquisite singers,
but no chorus or orchestra. The Pap
penheim- Adams party possessed nu-
merous splendid voices, and could do
the heaviest operas in grand style, but
they were badly constructed, worse
mansgedand came herew with their tenn
persawryand heirmoney walletempty.
Poor Julia Mathews, the sweetest and
best Of the bunch of the past song
birds played here under great distress
but acted elegantly, and sung like a
bird, but they were her dying strains,
and the death rattle was almost in her
throat at that very hour, for a week
later she was in her grave. Others
have come and gone. some LEAVING
pleasant impressions behind, but Miss
Abbott and her party deserve to be
be extolled beyond the rest. Her
company is made up Ofgenuine artists,
they are well trained; know and do
their duty to the letter, and their
operate renditions have been smooth
and artistic in every instance.
The ovation they have re-
ceived is no more than would be
expected Of the warm-hearted people
here, for we have a community that
never fails to recognize or appreciate
merit aud careful effort. There is
but little to say more regarding last
nights performance. Miss Abbott
sang with marvellous perfection, and
her ~melOdious Styrienne song carried
the house by storm. She acted with
a spirit, grace, earnestness and fervor
so true to realism that numerous per-
sons declared there had been nothing
like it, except Modieska. She was
encored and called before the curtain
too many times to remember, and in
several instances repeated the final
portions Of her grandest arias. The
range of the fair prima donna'S rich
voice is most wonderful indeed and
her execution is an extraordinary
marvel Of accuracy and endurance.
Miss Marie Stone is also
charming, and acquitted herself
s~plendidly, leaving a most delightful
impression upon all, and fully dividing
honOrs with Miss Abbott, but the lat
ter lady is very amiable, and if she
we're not, she could well afford the
division. Miss Stone is a skilful 70.
%calist, accomplished and gifted, and
she sings lovely. Mrs. Seguin carried
her score with precision and excel
lence and like Miss Stone, received
several recalls. Mr.. Castle sung with
his usual clearness, and his acting ex-
hibited the same graceful attention
which renders him so conspicuous and
popular. All the rest did we'll, the
choristers and the orchestra included.
The troupe repeat Paul and Vir-
GINA" this afternoon, close with I'll
Troyatore'' tonight. and leave for
New Orleans Tomorrow. A cordial
reception will bs extended them when
next they choose to honor Vi with a
visit.
KIRKLANDS
- M