Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-18
q" FRA DIAVOLO."
Appearance for the First Time ia Mem
phis Of Miss Abbott as Zerlina, the
Innkeeper's Daughter.
% TrOyatOre - TO be Presented this After
noon and the Esthetic Opera
"Patienee" Tonight.

Last night the Abbott company appeared
in Auber's romantic opera, Fra Di1r0lo, be-
fore the usual good audience. 1t is very ap-
propriately called a romantic opera. 1t IL a
drama and opera in one. ii it contained
less talking it would be much better, because
ii l. not wanting in certain coloriDg, which
very few OF the operas have. The motive
is dramatic and the climax where the bold
bandit Is enticed into sure death
by means OF his friends Beppo"
and "Giacomo," is exceedingly dramatic.
But it i futile To speak OF the merits and de-
merits of the opera at this late day. 1t IL
never quite satisfactory to the hearer, because
the music is discarded during too long inter-
walls. The music itself Is OF the most tune
Jul description, and there are several very
fine choruses, as we'll as many isolated gems
in the opera The third act is replete with
weird melody, through all which runs the
fatal refrain that seems TO foretell the fate OF
the brigand chief. The company handled
the opera in a piquant and dashing manner,
but not entirely to ones satisfaction. Miss
Abbott made the best "Zarlina" the present
writer has ever seen, and was very pretty
lass, whose cheeks were reflections OF the
country rose. She sang the brave song,
"On Youder Bank Reclining" with I'M
common brilliancy. The prayer in the
second act was song from Greenland,
exquisitely pure and of BETTING tenderness.
As an exponent Of sympathy in music, Miss
Abbott has no equal in this country. She
does not secure triumphs in comic or light
hearted song; but when she sings that music
which has heart in it, she is heard at her
best Mr. Castle all that could be de-
sired as ERA Diavolo." He lends the part
that captivating bravado SO essential to it.
Last night it was noticeable that he sang
much better than usual. Miss Annandale
was an agreeable "Lady Allcash." The
scant music allotted to the part was OF
course sung well and in his
trionic way. She was faultless. Mr.. AloDzo
Stoddard was good, but not
a remarkably good lord Allcash." He
seemed 10 have appreciated the vacuity of
the character Mr.. Appleby was creditable
Lorenzo" and in the last act did some gen.
timely good singing. He needs little more
self assertion in his general singing. While
there ia fine climactic power in his voice he
does not animate his middle and lever notes
enough. Mr. George Olmi made a splendid
"Beppo," and inspired everyone by his fine
acting in the last scene, where he Is swayed
by the two counter feelings OF devotion to
his chief and fear of mis- own death. Mr..
Conlv was fair "Giacomo," but did not
make of the part what he might have done.
Daring the opera two songs were interpolated,
Sullivan's "Love Once Again." which was
sung beautifully by Miss Abbott, and
Shields's celebrated song, "The Wolf" which
was sung powerfully by Mr.. Comfy, but was
not quite up to what one had reason to ex-
pect from him.
''TRovAToRE' AND PATIENCE"
This afternoon the company will present
Verdi's great opera Irocatore, one of most
popular of all the operas. Rosewald, An
mandate, Comfy, Olmi and Fabrini will be in
the cast. Tonight Patience will be repeated.
1t is the best thing of the day, and those who
missed seeing 1t the other night should not
fail to see it to night.