Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-14
a GRAND OPERA.
Faust" Brilliantly Rendered by the
National Opera company.


Public anticipation was fully realized
last evening IN the grand presentation Of
"tau.t' here by the National Opera
Company. The audience was probably
the largest and most brilliant that has
ever assembled in the Mozart Academy.
anddoubtless tor such a work as "Faust ~
tine equal OF the performance. IN respect
OF fmthfulness of rendition and the tho
roughness of detail In scenic effects aud
orchestral and stage-wor6, has not be-
fore been witnessed in Richmond
The orchestra, composed of some for
tv-odd wel-selected musicians, under
the able direction OF Professor Gustav
Hinrlchs, rendered the wonderfully
beautiful orchcstnion OF this opera
most effectively
be cast was oxcollontly well filed
with the following artists
Faust. p Learned Doctor. Barton NcGuchin.
Noplii tophe'c- .-......." I.llam Ludwig.
Ai0uzo StoIdarI.
Ernrlrr. q coldlrr................Jose -ilyers.
cicoel. Village Lal IN Love with Marguerite,
Amanda Fahris
Marguerite Village Maiden. Emma Ju n.
Martha, Neighborto Marguerite.A Agnes Peuiug
The "Alarguerite" Of Miss Juch,
while unconventional, in that her love
scenes were notremarkably impassioned,
Was an exquisite and natural impersona-
ton. 1t was a sweet, innocent portrayal,
in which her beauty, not striking at first.
but of that charming varied type, deyel-
oDed apace with the unfolding Of her
sad story. Her voice is purity itself,
and it must bee said that both as regards
her acting and singing She is most
captivating " AIargu ~ If praise
could ever he given for the reverse Of
Miss Juchs impersonation of last night
it should undoubtedly be accorded Mr..
Ludvigs Mephi-to, for he was IN
deed the "deyll incarnute." lie looked
and sang the rate to a perfection that
was damuably fascinating
Miss Fabrs, who took the part OF
Miss Claire, who was billed for the rOic,
was "A decided success. She has beau
tiiul voice, and sang the sweet numbers
very artistic1lly.
With tue Faust of Mr.. McGuckin we
were pleased, and then we were not
pleased He has "a tenor voice OF fine
character in many respects yet whether
from the poor acoustics OF the hall or
not. it does not seem to carry except IN
the very high register. He acts pleas
ingly, yet does not impress you.
Mr. Stoddard's Valentine was excel
lent. lie has a sweet baritone, and used
il well though IN the death scene,
whether owing to his conception of the
requirements of the situation or not, he
seemed to be suffering from severe
/ hoarsenesS.
In the yole Of Martha Miss Perring
enacted her scene with Mephisto most
creditably. She also sang well.
The ballet was quite feature, though,
as ballets always are when s-idom seen,
was positively shocking 10 many lest
evening For our part, We a6ominate
them. They may 60 to make up the
splendor of scene when given on q
grand scale, vet it detracts from the
merits of the work, is a loss of time, and
seems " Tat, stale, and Improbable"
The performance did not conclude
until after II o'clock.
The scenery was beautiful. and taken
altogether the performance was a won
derful one to be given by travelling
company. one can but query, Can
there be money IN It?
Tonight "Lohengrin will be given
in grand style.