The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-05

'"po VT mlSS AbBOIT ftDMPANf. -Inp
sale OF reserved seats for the Abbott opera
season commenced on Saturday, and by
noon quite a large number OF seats had
peen sold; but there are many desirable
seats still remaining. Miss ABBOTT has
macy friends and admirers throughout the
country. Her manager says, 81 would
ra'her have stock ir her sweet voice for the
next ten years than any OF the mines OF the
big bonanza." She captured Charleston, and
on saturday night, In Paul and Virginia,
received an ovation. She was called before
the curtain four times. Old gray huired
men, venerable sires and sedaie matrons
rose in their seats and shouted. This too,
be 1t remembered, In an audience CON-
posed Of the very best and most refined
people; It passes all human understanding.
How has success attended you this sea-
SON." asked the reporter.
"Immense, immense; nothing like IL.
Six years ago honest little Emma sung
songs and played a guitar, taking ND bat
collections. Now she earns 81 800 to $4,000
a week, deligbtipg all Americans, who love
her as their own sweet, pure prima donna.
In st. Paul and Minneapolis people formed
in line at 12 p. NJ. to buy tickets for the
next days performance. The only time
this ever happened before was when Charles
Dickens appeafed at S;einwsy Hall, New
York. s>4--l-e-.s- -, - 1-is- -
"The company now supporting Miss Abb
bott was organized two years ago with the
same cast, excepting Tom Karl, Marie
Stone, Macdonald, and Stoddard. Ii con-
sisis OF nearly fifty artists, some OF them
famous before Miss Abbott had made her
first appearance on the lyric stage. The
principal members OF the company after
Miss Abbott are Mrs. Zelda Seguin, Marie
Stone, Pauline Maurel, William Castle, Tom
Karl, a. 4. Stoddard, William I'll. Mac
Donald. Ellis Ryse, and Sgnor romasi.
" Mrs. Zelda Se2uin, the contralto, Is
known TO all who know English opera. She
made her first appearance in the doctor OF
Alcantara" ut The French Theatre, now the
Lyceum, in New York, and at once became
a favoriie. Afterwards she sang with Pa
repa Rosa and Clara Louise Kellogg. Mrs.
Seguin is considered the peer OF Louise
Cary in voice and superior to Cary as an ac-
treSs. Her best roles are AZueena, in Tr0.
vato:e, Cherubino, In The Marriage Of
Figaro, and GERMAN, in Chimes OF Nor
mandy.
"Marie Stone, the leading soprano, is also
well known as a fine singer and spirited ac-
tress. She is Boston lady and beauty OF
the Italian type. This is her first season
with Miss Abbott. Her principal roles are
Leonora, in TrOvatore : Mgnonete, IN
Chimes OF Normandy, Lucia, and Martha.
Pauline Maurel, pi omising young con-
tralto, is also from Boston. This is her first
season. Miss Abbott heard her sing one
night at party, and offered her an engage
ment at once. Miss Maurel sings Stephano
in Romeo and Juliet, and has already made
q good impression in other cities.
"The handsome tenors, William Castle
and Tom Karl, have the reputation OF being
great in all respects. Castle, especially,
has long been identified with all the sue
cesses OF English opera both in Europe and
America. He is noted FOR bis elegant figure
and the perfection OF his acting, which is
remarkable for its fcrvOr and intensity OF
feeling. lie and little Emma, as Romeo
and Juliet, are as well matched as two peas
in pod lie married a Miss Warren, sister
OF Joe Jeiferson's wife. 1t is said that
numbers OF TAI. ldGi.s were dr,,cE 80 The
verge Of suicide by the news Of bis we'd
ding.
"Tom Karl is noted for the sweet tone,
fine culture, and delicate expression OF his
voice. lie also is noted for his handsome
person, and dresses eXqlnsitely. They do
say that he gets a mailbag full OF little
| scented missiyes every day. HIS principal
f6ieS are Paul in Paul and Virginia, and
Manrico in Trovatore. lie also alternates
with Castle as Faust:
"a. L. Stoddard, the baritone, is on his
first season. lie is spoken Of as singer OF
great promise. He sings Valentine in
Faust. Mr.. ". II. Macdonald, the basso
cantante, is man OF fine stage presence,
tall and powerful. He sings Mephistopheles,
the Count, in Bohemian Gill, and ST. CroiX
! in Paul and Virginia.
Ellis RYse, the basSo profundo, is an
Englishman, and came TO this country with
| Parepa Rosa some years ago. His voice Is
very deep and powerful, resembling that OF
Carl Forme>. He sings Friar Lawrence in
Romeo and Julie, Gaspard in Chimes OF
Normandy, Eevilshoof in Bohemian Girl,
and Lothario in NignOn.
"SignOr TOrmasi is musical director, and
Arthur Tams stage and choir manager.
"Nliss AbbOtt's favorite roles are Mar
guerite, Mignon, Juliet, and Virginia"