The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-17


last season has the Theatre been filed with
such IN audience as that which greeted the
CONFEDERATION Opera Company last eve
ming on their first appearance here. Much
, Of the beauty and fashion Of Ricbmond
was prcFent, and the hearty applause which
was accorded the lively presentation OF the
opera would seem to indicate that itmet with
general approval. Our boards have not seen
anything quite 30 Frenchy since Aimee
disported herself upon them some years
since, nor have they exhibited so strong
comic opera company. The chorus IS
large and well drilled, and the cast exceP-
tionably fine.
Miss Catherine Lewis, in the title-r0le,
was literally brimming over with vivacity
Of spirits and winning ways, and she knows
how TO use her sympathetic voice to the
best advantage. Though she was not greet
ed at lrst with decidedly cordial reeep-
ton, she rapidly won favor with her au-
dience, was encOred time and time again,
and was forced TO repeat the "Torpedo-
and-.he- Whale" song four or FIVE times.
She is without doubt one OF the finest
opera-boufTe actresses in this country.
Miss Minnie Walsh and Mr.. John How
son were recognized rs old Richmond IA
vorites upon their first entrance, and were
welcomed with signal marks OF favor. The
former is still rather stiff in her actions,
though she sang the numbers OF the
Countess very sweetly. Mr.. Ilowson is
still the clever comedian rs We knew him
when the Oates troupe was in its zenith.
His impersonation OF Captain De Merrimac
was exceedingly clever aud funny.
Mr.. Armand has improved since he was
last here. His sweet tenor voice was greatly
enioyed last evening in the role OF Nalcn-
tine, and for his very charming execution
Of the sercnade in the first act he received
decided encore.
Mr.. Frederick Leslie as the Duke gave
remarkably fine impersonation. His make
I'D was capital, his conception Of the sap
headed conspirator exceedingly clever,
while his singing was in all respects very
good.
The Coquelicot Of Mr.. Frear was sim
DIV inimitable. He cOnyulsed the audience
with laughter by his droll facial express
sions, and won great applause by his eX-
cellcnt yocalization. lie has very good
voice, knows how 10 use IT, and received
the first encore OF the evening for the capi-
tai manner in which be sung "Bob up &c
renely."
For the rest, they are all good in their
respective parts, and the performance
seemed 10 give general satisfaction. And
yet the company appeared TO great diSad-
vantage last evening on account OF their
late arrival in the city. Instead Of reach
ing the city between and o'clock in the
afternoon, they did not get in until some
thinSaftcr /. They were forced TO 90 from
the cars 10 the Theatre, eat upon the stage
while preparing for the performance, and 20
on with the opera without anything like Il
rehearsal with the orchestra. The musicians
seemed timid, the conductor nervous, and
while very naturally their assistance 10 the
vocaists was decidedly feeble, they man
aged TO get through, with the manful cf-
forts Of Mr.. Fairlamb, who had TO reln-
quish his baton almost entirely and carry
The Instrumentation upon the piano.
We have cOmplmented-and justly, too
in almost unqualified terms the perform
ancc az given by the company. II was
doubtless true 10 the work Of the author,
but we must be allowed the privilege oi
giving this character OF French opera 4
little censure. The senseless requirement
of making almost all the females change
their sex rs il were. and TO appear too in
trousers that are fearful eXaggcratiOns OF
even the present style Of tights, may be ia
kccping with the aesthetic, but il is GER
tainly not chaste or becoming. II is IN
abortion which eaters 10 a dopraved taste,
and arouses our deepest commiSeraticn for
the poor females who are obliged 70 appear
In such attire night after night in public.
Oliyette will be repeated at the matinee
this afternoon, and tonight the company
will present for the first time in this city
the great spectacular opera, Madame Fa-
yart. The costumes are said TO be superb.
Mss DAvENPoET.-Mis Fannie Dayen-
port will appear at the Richmond Theatre
on Monday evening for farewell engage
ment OF three nights, prior 10 thrce-years'
tour abroad. Her repertoire will be:
Monday, "School for Scandal; Tuesday,
"Cymbeline," and Wednesday, "Ca-
MILE She will be supported by a strong
company. cast aS follows, i'm "School for
Scandal" on the opening night: Lady
Teazle. Miss Fanny Davenport; Sir Peter
Teazle, Charles Fisher; Sir Oliver Surface,
Harry Pearson; Charles Surface, Edmund
Tearle; Joseph Surface, George Darrell
Sir Benjamin Backbite, ". f. Edwards
Crabtree, Harry Hawk; Careless, Lewis
Baker; Snake, II. X. Thorpe; Moses, o. B.
Jcctor; Trip, F. NJ. Hendricks; Rowley,
w. s. Hurley; Joscph's servant, Simon
KennicOm; ChaIles's servant, Orson N.
Dunn; Lady Sncerwcll, Miss Mary shaw;
Maria, Miss May Davenport; Mrs. Candor,
Miss Minnie Monk.