Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-03
GRAND OPERA IN AMERICA.
Something Of Its Ups and Downs
The Tnvayy Company This Week.

The Tsvary Company This Week.
Four languages Of the thirty-odd when
make Nd the worlds means Of eommuni-
cation have their own systems OF dra-
matte musical expression. drand-opera,
which is nothing but more or less classic
| drama, set to music has been nurtured
and brought TO something like perfection
| in English. French. German. and Italian.
| In point Of antiquity. as well as OF ex-
| oellence. this order should, perhaps. be re-
! veryed the f1rst becoming last and the
| last FIRST For English grand-opera IL but
| an offshoO; from the superb artistic struc-
ture which the great masses OF the
Italian school have spent well-nigh three
centuries In rearing. Yet England ana
America have furnished some great ar
lists to the operate profession. and at
last two great composers have been Eng
llshmen. The history of grand-opera IN
America has been comparatively short
bat remarkably brilliant. Indeed. no or
ganization in any land ever presented
the masterpieces OF the great composers
In such a thoroughly artistic manner or
with equal sumptuousncss OF environment
and inyestiture as characterized the nota-
able performances given by the iil-fated
American Opera Company. which was or
ganized by that gentle and liberal ANA
teur. Mrs. Thurber. now nearly decade
ago.
But even before Mrs. Thurber and her
associates had conceived the brilliant
scheme which failed from It's own very
immensely. grand-opera had been given In
English in America: and well given, TOO
Oddly enough II was a woman who was
the pioneer in this very wide Held. az
well as n women who brought the scheme
TO It's brilliant. II disastrous, elimination.
The hrst grand-opera sung In English
which deserved the name wac presented
by the original Boston Ideals, then under
the direction OF Mrs. Ober. OF Boston.
Mrs. Ober had a notable coterie OF ar
lists. though her company was not "A large
one. and she made money, as well as repu-
tation. out of her venture. Old John Tenn
ploton. the father OF the delightful and
elusive opera bouffe favorite, Fay Temple
ton. used also TO give performances OF
what he called grand-opera, but his ar
tists were usually Of an inferior grade,
and his orchestra WAS too often limited
TO a piano and single violin At the
same time that the American Opera Com
pany was presenting grand-opera in
delightful though extravagant manner.
the reorganized Boston Ideals and the
Emma Abbott Grand English Opera Com
Id1N were also tbiiliHk INV
notice. The last-named OF these organiza-
lions was headed by the lamented prima
donna whose name II bore, and the for
mer by two very capable singers. Mile.
Zel de Lussan and Nine. LAllemand
The Boston Ideals eventually struck
bad season or so, and went to pieces.
but the Emma Abbott Company continued
10 give grand-opera In conscientious
and acceptable manner up TO the time
OF the death OF the gifted lady who head
ed the organization. Mr.. Charles Pratt
controlled the dcstinies OF this company.
and shrewder or bstter-equipped mana
ger has rarely had aught 90 with the
business MANAGEMENT Of lyric art. This
is evidenced by the fact that his per-
formances not only won critical praise,
but that the Emma Abbott Opera Com
pany made the fortune of both It's mana
ger and its star There have been hume
rous attempts to give grand-opera In
English besides those mentioned. Chief
among them have been Charles II.
Locke's. who controlled the Emma Juch
Opera Company, and G. ID. Hess. who
managed an organization at the head OF
which WAS Nine Minnie Hauk.
This week Richmond will enjoy sea-
son OF English grand-opera, at the hands
of the Tavary Company. Nine. Marie
Tavary, who heads the company. is a
charming cantantrice Of Russian birth,
and had, ere coming to this country, won
high fame and wide reputation In all
the principal cities OF Europe, and at
least one capital of Asia. Nine. Tavary
possesses In a high degree those physical
charms which are so necessary TO the
success of a stage artist. and is gifted
with u soprano voice OF phenomenal range
and power. She learned her singing method
from the marvellous Marchesi. The com
pany Is perfectly equipped In every way,
and has a notable personnel including
SignOr a. l.. Guile, a most brilliant lyric
tenor. who was first introduced to the
American public by Nine. Adelina Patti,
on her first farewell tour of the country.
The repertoire OF the company covers the
entire realm of Grand-opera. and 1t lis
under the direction of Mr.. Charles ii.
Pratt. whose own career virtually
parallels the history Of grand-opera sung
in English in this country. The perform
ances have been arranged as follows:
Thursday, I'll Trovatore': Friday, car
men: Saturday matinee. "Cavallerla
Rusticana" and 81 Pagliacci," and at