Daily globe., 1883-06-05
WRS. HAMS BENEFIT,
y Eiae Audience and Splendid Perform
ance.

y Eine Audience and Splendid Perform
auce.
The testimonial to the memory of the
late Col. Charles Hams, manager of the
Opera house, and benefit to his bereaved
consort, so kindly rendered by Mr., G. D.
Hess, on behalf of himself and his most
meritorious English Opera company, at
the Opera house yesterday afternoon
was in all respects grand
success. The attendance, for a matinee
performance, was large, and embraced the
best people of the city, largely ladies, as
was most fitting on such an occasion. The
opera presented was Gounod's master
piece Of Faust" and when it is said that
soloists, chorus and orchestra We'd with
each other to excel in bringing out all the
beauties of this grand musical and
dramatic production, and that the
result was presentation that will dwell
long in the memories of those IN atten-
dance, nothing beyond a true need OF
praise is bestowed. Where all did so well,
and especially on such an occasion, it may
be questionable taste to particularize, but
really this notice would be imperfect if
special mention was not made of the grand
rendition of Marguerite by Miss Abbie
Darlington. She never sang the part
better, and nothing more need be said to
tell how superbly it was sung. The other
artists in the piece, Henry G. Peakes as
Mephisto; Appleby as Faust; Mark Smith
as Valentine; Rose Leighton as Martha
and Miss Emma Elsner as Siebel, all ex-
erted themselves to their utmost in their
respective parts, and that they did them
most acceptably was testified by the fire.
quent recalls and the floral testi-
monials of which they were each and all
the recipients during the progress of the
opera.
While the reception of the company was
in all respects most complimentary, it was
left to Manager Hess to carry off the hon
ors with his usual modesty; after rendering
the services of himself and company, y,abso-
lutely without charge, he had kept himself
in the background. But just as the curtain
was going down on the second act he was
induced to go behind the scenes, and as the
curtain dropped, there were cries from the
front of "Mr. Hess, Mr.. Hess" At the
same time Mr.. Hess, as he stepped behind
the scenes was met by member of the
committee and introduced to Hon. G. D
O'Brien, mayor elect, by whom he was
escorted to the front of the stage, when
Mr.. O'Brien delivered himself of a short
address, speaking substantially as follows
1 have suddenly been called from
the dusty recesses of a law Office to
fulfil very pleasant duty, to intro.
duce to you gentleman to whom st. Paul
has often been indebted, but more than
ever to-day for this last most graceful .and
acceptable act. He was the first to intro
duce into this State the English opera and
as you all know has we'll maintained its
reputation since. To attempt to dwell on all
the pleasant memories connected with his
too infrequent visits here it would be very
long before my pleasant task was ended.
In this last most kind and graceful act in
the memory of one whose loss has been a
public calamity, as well as a source of pri-
vate grief, this gentleman has shown him
self most worthy of our esteem and of the
position he so worthily fills in his private
and public career. We have all known
and loved Col. Hains, and now that God
has called him to himself to confer upon
him the reward of we'll spent life,
we should and do delight to honor the man
who has so promptly come forward to pre-
sent in his memory this most substantial
evidence of kind friendship thatl lasts be-
yond the grave.
This portion of the programme was a
complete surprise to Mr.. Hess, but, exc9s-