The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-06

The COLOEED PINAFORE LAST NIGHT
The gallant snip, with the same quarter
deck and rigging we have seen time and
again 20 ably manned at MoZirt Hal. was
launched l>t evening at Virginia Opera
House. with an energetic crew of sable
citizens. Could the author and composer.
MesSrs. Gilbert and sullivan, have stepped
in al the performance we should have been
pleased 10 study and record their emotions
Tor they would most undoubtedly have
been complex. They would have recog-
nizcd the work III The author, but the
liberties taken with the score were truly
astonishing and original.
There had been great curiosity among
our white people 10 see what would be
made OF the opera, and they filled one half
OF the house. which had been reserved for
them. There were some Of our best ladies
present, and the audience was large, order
iv, and well behaved.
As to the performance, while it Was not
strictly PinafOre in Musical sense. 1t was
nevertheless very creditable when we con-
slider the poor opportunities these people
have had ana the very imperfect in
strucliOn the company have received.
The orchestra was a great draw
back. II had been-prObahly for The
sake Of convcnience-alI concentrated in
one performer, who, with the aid Of pOOl
apo,0gy for a piano. acted rs director and
musicians. lie >trummcd away in mau-
ncr thar was indeed remarkable, generally
di,rcearding the score and at times forget
ful OF the KEY. Notwithstanding tins slight
impedimcnt, which Wight aayc proved dis
l,rrou, TO q more tlmid company. the cho.
rus and c,,t wcnt CALAMITY forward and
concluded their work 10 the great >atl,Iac-
tion Of lhcil large number OF friends.
The genius u the statesman Of recon
>trurii0n times and be ii braS--bind ilme-
Lewis Liudsay-has unmi>iakably cropped
out in his progeny. His two dauehter'-
Fanny and Sallv-Wcre very conspicuous IN
the respective rates OF Josephine and ilebe'
The former showed some evidences OF dra-
m,tic and musical talent. and By comparison
did the part acccptably. Indeed, we were
very agreeably surprised at her crcditaoIe
effort in Tie difficult solo The Hours Creer
on AIMEE" Blanche ScOgin Is Little But
tercup did quite well, and shared h0nof>
win Josephine. Edward Clay acted and
,anc The part OF Captain Corcoran amazing
ly well. He has good voice. ana IN Iact ne
was by far the best IN the company, although
Peter Jackson IN his makeup ma >lue Knee
io,nl shuttle IN The character Of Dick Deadryc
was immense. He was perfectly al holhr' De-
ing bappily obliyious 10 me reading oi tDe
,core. Charles B. Roaue, very brishl
mulatto. rs Sir Joseph Porter, was wei
dressed. but his makeup was rather that oi
A Young boy than an old admiral. ;. d.
Turner had evidently sen recent per
sonation OF the Marine y IN this city. lie
was ycIy initiative. ",aw" bis model aud
:. went him one better" lie was very fun
NV and wore large.sized red pl-boX for
= can. carter Lawson a Ralph Racksiraw
did well. and was exceptionally good in
diSlogue' which. with the others, was gene
raIIy M I" fln, stale, and Improbable"
ri Tho chorus was energetic and sang In
.tyle ~ pecuhar to the eolored race, caring
little for the harmoniea as conceived oy alr'
Su,Iivsn. S,'1i m There was the inevitable high
Tenor " and deep bas'o unison, so quaint IN
,hn .,ngin., Of our factory-hands. Tue ie
,n.,o ,ns o c5orns consisted Of six bright mulattC
children. Taken altogether, the perform
.n,,e .nne was S~ onIte credliable TO the coioreC
neople eoT &c concerned, and will prove Imam