The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-09
DRAMATIC VIEWS AND GOSSIP.
What Richmond People Will See During
This Week.

Afhs Wt<hs
The dramatic season that is approaching
promises TO be one of the most interesting
wc have ever had, and the attractions which
will be seen in Richmond will furnish q the
atrical bill OF fare worthy OF the attention of
the most fastidious critics.
All the old-time favorites of the legitimate
drama will come back to us. familiar SOU
brettes will kick up their heels for US. and the
same venerable fgurantes will march across
tho stage keeping time TO the music Of some
rehashed burletta.
But in between the old-time faces we will
see many new ones-lesser and greater stars
OF tho '9i crop-who will slime this season for
the FIRST time in America. We shall enjoy
ourselves and we shall have such a season as
we haven't had in years.
The Academy Of Music will FIRE the first
gun OF the season tomorrow evening. when
the Annandale and Hamilton Company will
begin two weeks season Of grand English
opera with Bales chef-d' 6uvre. bohemian
Girl"
This company was organized in New York
lately aud came TO Richmond 70 open Its sea
son. They have been rehearsiDg here for the
past week. and many local critics have had an
opportunity Of seeing what clever people they
are. From Richmond they go South, and Of
ter playing in several OF the Southern States.
will spend several months in the theatres Of
South America.
The company is beyond doubt one of the
best legitimate opera organizations on the
road The leading singers are people who
have acquired regulations. and several OF
them are well known TO Richmond music low
ers, Miss Annandale, the prima donna, gas
with the late Emma Abbott for several sea-
sons and sang in great roles Her voice is OF
fine tirnbre and its quality is raroly delicate.
While with Abbott she was noted as an admi-
rable foil to that great songstress, and in some
OPENS almost outshone her. William II.
Hamilton, the other prominent parsonage OF
the company is an artist whose ability and
virtuosty Ia unquestiOned. lie has power
ful. resonant voice, which he uses with fine
effect in heroic parts, and in such roles az the
IoreadOr and Count Arnheim has won much
prestige. II is needless 10 say that our people
will be delighted with him.
The other singers of the company are
hardly less noted than the principals. Signor
Michelena is lyric tenor with an exquisite
voice, and Dekman and Stantini are dramatic
tenors who have continental regulations.
Signor Ch0rasta. u fine baritone. comes from
the grand opera Of st. Petersburg, and Guise.
tho basso. has achieved successes in the large
cities of the North. Madame Corani is one of
the strongest cards OF the company. She IL
dramatic soprano. with voice of fine quality
and much power and will make hit
port the principals Admirably. Under
the able baton of Mr.. Saro they sing
smoothly and forcibly, and will do some I'M
usually fine ensemble work.
The costuming will be elegant-as the en-
tire company has been equipped with new
and expensive costumes-and the stage set
ting will be very good.
The programme for the two weeks is as
follows: Monday and Tuesday evenings of this
week. Bohemian Girl; Thursday. Friday
and Saturday with matinee, Martha, II
Trovatore" and Faust" will be given next
weuk.
II will be noticed that the company does
not play Wednesday evening OF tins week
This Is owing TO the fact that the Academy
management had previously made contract
with the Wilson minstrels for that evening
The opera company will therefore play in
Petersburg on Wednesday evening, and the
Ministries will fill their place.
George Wilson's Ministries. who, as above
stated. will give performance at the Acad-
envy next Wednesday evening, will undoubt-
eddy give an unusually fine entertainment.
Wilson has surrounded himself this season
with the finest company Of singers, come
dams and specialists that has ever supported
him, and it will be difficult for any other min
strel organization now before the public 20
give as meiitorlous performance as does this
troupe.
Wilson is great favorite here, and hls unc-
tuous, contagious humor has given him a
strong hold upon lovers of mnstrelsy: but
this season he will have a hard time to make
his genius and talent pre-emlnenty percept-
Bile, for his company embraces half dozen or
more men at least who are competent TO rank
with him. This means a good show. and that
is Just what Wilson will give this year
The cOstuming will DO especially rich. and
the audience will have an opportunity Of see
ing just what the magnificent salons of the
drectoire period were like.
1t is highly probable that crowded house
will greet Wilson and his troupe.
The Richmond Theatre during the summer
has been extensively repaired. decorated and
enlarged. The front OF the house has been
painted a china white and the interior has
been newly painted. BY lessening the size of
the lobby the orchestra chairs have been in
creased and about one hundred seats have
been added. The Theatre is still under the
of Messrs. Branch d Leath, and
the season promises most auspiclOus.
The first engagement of the preliminary sea-
son begins Thursday evening next, when w
s. Clevelands Great Consolidated Minstrels
make their appearance. This troupe IS wide
~ known and has made great reputation in
past years which. it is promised, shall he
kept up this year. Seats Will Do
offered for sale Wednesday.