The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-05-08
Emma Abbott in English Opera.

Emma Abbott in English Opera.
! Staunton is in the unenyiable situation
of town that has had a superb entertain
ment brought into its midst and didn't
know it in time to profit by it. The houses
hitherto given to meritorious performances
have been a source Of local pride to our
citizens as well as satisfaction to the man
ayers Of the companies, but from some
unexplained reason the house whichgreeted
Miss Abbott's Company on last Thursday
night, was vastly beneath the legitimate de-
mands of the attraction. The fact that Mr.
w. r. Powell (whose name alone is q suf-
ficient guarantee of the merit of the per-
formance) had introduced this company
to our people ought to have been endorse
ment enough, for he has been associated
with nearly every leading entertainment
to which our city has been treated. Be
this as il may we know that at this
writing there are q great many delighted
people who, having been present at the
rendering of the opera of Martha on last
Thursday night, have been in rhapsodies
over it ever since and another large ele
ment that, FILLING to post themselves and
thinking it probably II snatch Of a few
scores from some opera sung in the original
dialect, indlrerently remained at home,
and are now bewailng their lost oppor-
tullilirs. We by 10 means intend to say
that the house WAS slim, or Of unappreca-
| tive quality, for we observed that the char
acter Of it was most excellent, including,
as it did, all our leading local musical ex-
perts and our cultured element generally.
Especially was it the case that all in the
city who had previously heard Miss Abbott
and her distinguished fellow artist Mrs.
Seguin- Wallace, were present, for they
knew what to expect. and were determined
not to miss it. However, recalling the
large audiences we have seen in our Opera
House, and contrasting the obvious merit
of this company with that of others to
whom these houses turned out, we reit-
crate it that we have shown, at least, an
apathy that was unjustilied, for there
should not have been standing-rOom al
lowed. Miss Abbott needs 10 excess of
| advertising to tell us who she is. Her
rank among primas is too well established,
abroad too extended to require it. She is
the prime pet and favOrite among our
| American musical celebrities. and has ad
hered to her American name flor she
might have ndlinsized it into Abbothad),
while her popularity rests but little more
on her exquisite vocalization than on
her amiaDility and sweetness of character.
Mrs. Seguin's artistic career ante dates
Miss Abbott's, and her repute as an ar
fist is in no wise inferior. Her voice
of different quality, however, from that
of Miss Abbott. has long rated her
among the brilliant contraltOS Of the
world, and her connection with them has
given prestige to many organizations with
which she has been associated. When
! identified with the Oates Opera Company
the remark would be frequently heard
from theatre goers that they went not tosee
Oates jump and prance about, but to hear
Mrs. Seguin sing. In the associations Of
private life as the cultured, refined and
amiable lady, she is as popular as on the
stage, and this company led, as it is, by
two such representatives of American
womanhood, carries with it claim to the
support and respect of our people to which
hardly any other is similarly entitled.
Flotow's Opera of Martha is, as
musical entirety, the very gem of the
Lyric stage. From overture to final chorus
there is not bar, either of the vocal or
orchestral element, that anyone would
willingly omit. The choruses are spirited,
| the duets exquisite, and the whole score
perfect revel of delicious harmony. Miss
| Abbott has selected her company with adj
mirable judgment and discrimination, and
has evidently trained them.to the highest
degree of perfection. Enthusiastic and
irrepressible encores followed after every
rendition, and her matchless delivery of
the Last Rose of Summer threw the house
| into a ferment Of ecstatic admiration.
Every duet between Miss Abbott and Mrs.
Seguin was rapturously redemanded, and
their amiable compliance was in marked
and pleasant contrast with the ungracious
manner frequently exhibited by exotic
artists of similar rank in the profession.
The duet, always so popular, "Lost Pro-
scribed," by Signor Campibello and Fa-
brini, was one of the brilliant events of
the brilliant evening, the latter exhibiting
a tenor of great purity and range with a
flexibility and strength rarely associated
the powerful and rich basso of Campibello
filling every part of the large hall with its
resonant volume. There was not appa-
rently defective voice in the chorus and
| their entire work was accomplished in a
most effective and thorough manner. It
is, we learn, the purpose of the Council to
remodel the hall by deepening the stage and
| giving more concaye surface to the CELL
ing, and as this will be completed during
the summer, it is the intention of our peO-
pie to reoompense Manager Powell, and to
further attest our appreciation of his |
efforts in behalf of high art in the pro-
vlnces. by having him to inaugurate its
new career with the re-introduction of this |
same admirable company. So that in early |
fall we may hope to hear this charming
little American prima and her brilliant |
associate in II Troyatore and possibly |
Martha. The enthusiasm of our people |
over this-their first taste of English opera
lis quite general, and we are assured that |
it's return will find waiting them such a |
crowded house as Staunton never has yet |
turned out.
SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS.-Last week |
two suspicious characters giving their
names as G.. c. DeHaven and G. L. Won
Bonhurst were arrested in this city. De
Haven represented himself as an advance
arnnt of Enrona rnh 10 lyirn,,r a,,d diatrihr