Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-12
EMMA ABBOTT m ERNANI.
Her First Appearance in Richmond In
Five Years-yfatinee To-Day.

Last night at the Academy of Music
| Emma Abbott signalzed her re-entree here
after five years absence before large and
critical audience. almost equalling in num-
| bers that of the preceding night tor Fanny
| Davenport. The occasion was tho first
presentation in Richmond of Verdi's " Er-
/ mani"
The opera is of the heroic school, vigor-
ous in story. exciting in plot, thrilling In
scene and incident, and majestic in music.
"Ernani" is worthy of the composer OF
| al Trovatore" and la Traviata. " The
rare beauty of its melodies and the invigo-
rating freshness of its surroundings COM
bine 10 make its rendition ever welcome.
Those who heard Emma Abbott last
night for the first time in five years were
no doubt particularly struck by the mani
| fest evidence Of improvement, vOcally and
| dramatically, n the favorito sOngStress.
As Elvira in Ernani" she appeared to
splendid advantage. and from the outset
won the hearts of her auditors. Her voice
/ is pure, sweet. and highly cultivated, and
| shows great power and breadth OF tone,
until III the fulness of Its volume 1t ap-
proaches dramatic perfection, with an exc
/ cutiou and flexible quality seldom found
| in q strictly dramatic soprano.
The cast was strong and credltable one,
| and the brilliant success OF tine perform
ance was equally attributable to the con-
| certed and individual excellence Of the con-
pauys personnel. The orchestra was large,
| thoroughly drilled, and always IN right
| time. The voices were unvarylnglv true,
/ strong, and powerful, and the artistic act
| ing, fine staging. and elegant costumlng
combined TO make Ernanl one Oh tne
inost complete and thoroughly enjoyable
operStic representations witnessed III Rich
| mOnd III very long time.
Mr.. MontegrIhO, the tenor, as "Ernanl" j"
made most favorable impression. lie con-
| trolls his audience by strong personal
magnetism. His voice has plenty of volume
and great compass, AID is particularly true
and harmonious. -,
MIR. Pruette as Don Carlos shared the
bonors OF the evening with Miss Abbott'
His fine baritone was heard to excellent adj
vantage in several fine solos, and especially
! in the finale Of the third act, which was re-
demanded.
MIR. Broderick as Silva was given several
good opportunities for the display OF hls
rich and well-cultivated bass voice, while
his acting was always vigorous and sponta-
neOus.
The minor parts were all well taken and
! the chorus was one of the strongest and
best drilled that has been heard here since
the advent of the National Opera Com
pany. Not line in the opera was sighted
| or given indiierently, and the brilliant
cavatina. "Oh, Come and Fly With Me, as
sung bv Miss Abbott, was a delicate piece
OF vocalization and deserved the hearty en-
| core 1t received.
This afternoon Martha" will be given
with all the leading artists in the cast.
Tonight Balfe's romantic opera Rose
Of CASTLE" will be the attraction, with
! Miss Abbott as the Queen Of CASTLE. sup
ported by Annandale, Myrella, Michelena,
| Broderick, Allen, Ready, Karl, and the en-
tire Abbott company. This opera IS
! Spanish in character, brilliant in music,
/ and will be handsomely costumed. As the
Queen Miss Abbott will wear an $4,000
mantle made by Worth, it being. an exact
! duplicate of the mantle made by Worth
| for the Queen of Portugal. Tomorrow
night Norma" will be given.
RICHMOND THEATRE.
| A new departure in the minstrel business
will be inaugurated at the Theatre tonight
and tomorrow by Al. G. Fields Company.
The first part will consist OF a military
encampment scene.
There is difference between .minstrels
now and few years ago. \ latter-day
minstrel performance covers all the salient
features OF comic opera. burlesque, ana
farce comedy, and an excellent programme
OF this sort Is promised by the company.
There Will be a street-parade to-day.