Richings English Opera Company: Fra Diavolo

Performers.

“Amusements. English Opera. The first week of the engagement of the Richings company at the Olympic has just closed very successfully. . . . [I]n the evening the house was crowded to hear ‘Fra Diavolo.’ This opera is one of the best in the repertory of the company; not so much by reason of the beautiful music which, of course, every one knows, as on account of the thoroughly excellent manner in which it is played. Miss Richings appears to great advantage in the part of Zerlina, a character that affords full scope for the display of her excellent qualities as an actress as well as singer. Mr. Seguin’s Lord Allcash is very droll, that gentleman neglecting no opportunity to make a good point by his amusing representation of an Englishman on his travels. The Englishman, like the conventional Yankee, is somewhat of the ‘stage’ type, but his eccentricities are none the less entertaining on that account. Mr. Castle as the robber marquis (Fra Diavolo) sings and acts his part well, as do Messrs. Campbell and Peakes. Mr. Wylie’s Lorenzo is weak and tiresome, both in singing and acting.”

Just a mention that it was performed. “With the exception of Friday . . . attendance [during the week] was very good, but not what it should have been.”