Richings English Opera: Satanella

     “Niblo’s Garden—In the absence of English opera, it is well to be content with the suggestion of it given by Mr. and Miss Richings in their curious musical and dramatic entertainment. The lady is blessed by nature with a fine voice, and practice has taught her how to use it in the best way for pleasing the public; the gentleman is experienced in stage affairs, and is, we presume, responsible for the vehicle of his daughter’s talent. In the case of ‘Satanella,’ he has seized upon a popular work by a pleasing composer, and retaining the most salient of the melodies, has reconstructed the plot to suit it for dialogue, pantomime and ballet. The task is not an easy one, nor has it been discharged with facility. A large amount of after-thought will have to be exercised before the piece presented last night can claim any merit on the score of construction, and extensive excision must be practiced before it can be acceptable, even as regards length. The interest of the performance centered almost exclusively upon Miss Riching [sic], who sang several morceaux with good effect, and was encored in ‘The Glorious Vintage of Champagne.’ Aided by a chorus, (strong in the male department,) and an increased orchestra, under Mr. Harvey B. Dodworth, these musical suggestions of the parent work were always acceptable. The scenery and dresses were good, the latter especially so; but the working of the machinery was intolerably bad, and by delaying the performance until near midnight seriously jeopardized its success. A defect of this kind will, of course, be immediately remedied. At an establishment so admirably and lavishly conducted as Niblo’s, it should never be noticeable. There is an excellent corps de ballet, and several fine dancers have been expressly engaged to give importance to this department, so that when the work has been reduced to proper limits, it will present many claims to public consideration. Its success, last evening, was not of a very hearty character.”

     “An echo of Balfe’s opera of this name was heard last night at Niblo’s Garden, where Miss Richings and her father began an engagement. The production was somewhat chaotic, the plot too intricate for ordinary minds, and the scenic effects, though elaborate and superb in intention, were ineffective in fulfillment.  A few nights will, however, obviate most of these difficulties, and then, with Miss Richings’s charming vocalization, and the really excellent ballet dancing, the piece will deserve and win popularity.”

     Mr. Peter Richings' spectacular adaptation of Balfe's opera, "Satanella," was produced at Niblo's Garden Monday evening. We have only time and space to say that the piece was an immense success. Miss Richings' singing was as brilliant as ever. The ballet troupe, led by Galetti and Marzetti, was extremely enjoyable. Th acting, by Mr. Richings, Mr. and Mrs. Showell, Mesdames Chasnfrau and Skerrett, and Mressrs. Lamb and De Forest, was all that the spectacle allowed. The scenery, by Hays and Selwyn, has never been surpassed at this theatre for splendor and artistic taste. The applause was frequent and hearty, and, with a little trimming, "Satanella" will be quite as successful as the adaptation of the "Enchantress" was in the same hands a few months ago."

“‘Satanella,’ at Niblo’s Garden, has achieved a brilliant success, by its excellent scenery, its numerous and spirited dances, and especially the graceful singing of Miss Caroline Richings. The selections of the music are not themselves remarkable, only two of the really good melodies of the original having been retained – ‘The Power of Love’ and ‘Let not the World,’ both of which, though simple and unpretending, are in Balfe’s most charming style – but Miss Richings succeeds in all, as well as in these, in greatly pleasing the audiences. The choruses are of little value, and the orchestra betrays a weakness which its increased numbers only make the more apparent. The ballet music is partly taken from the ‘Faust,’ which Mr. Ronzani produced with great splendor some years ago. The dancing itself is much better in every respect than that which is usually offered in similar pieces. Miss Galetti passes much time upon the easy elevation of her principal toes, which may, indeed, be termed her two special points of attraction. Mrs. Marzetti and Miss Katrine perform their light fantastic functions with an elasticity which we cannot say knows no bounds, but which is certainly without limit. The general action is conscientiously sustained by Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Shewell, Mr. Richings, Mr. Lamb and others. The audiences last week were large, and profuse in applause; as, undoubtedly, they will continue this week, on every night of which ‘Satanella’ will be repeated.”