Richings English Opera: Martha

“Her company is the same as before, and the best we have had for very many years.”

“Miss Caroline Richings, who had the honor of inaugurating this theatre two years ago, returned to it last evening with her unrivalled company. The opera was ‘Martha,’ and in the title rôle the fair directress and artist was all that we have ever said about her in the same rôle. Mrs. Seguin, née Miss Zelda Harrison, appeared as Nancy and carried off a large proportion of the honors of the evening. Her arch vivacity, beautiful contralto voice and prepossessing appearance render her one of the favorites of the company. Castle and Campbell were as usual good, and the celebrated spinning wheel quartet was given in splendid style by these artists. The chorus was rather shaky in the first act, but improved after and the orchestra was rather too demonstrative. Mr. Castle as Lionel should not appear in the costume of one of the Hanlon brothers, and Mr. Behrens, the leader of the orchestra should keep a strong rein over those confided to his care. Mr. Seguin, in the small part of Tristram and J. G. Peakes as the High Sheriff were excellent and amusing.”

“Last night the well-known and universally-liked English opera company, of which Miss Richings is the head, made its reappearance at the French Theatre, in ‘Martha.’ The exquisite humor and brilliant gaiety of ‘La Belle Hélène’ was replaced by the beautiful melodies of a favorite opera, sung by voices superior to those of the French artists, whose main merit is their acting.

“The Richings company have frequently performed here the operas which they are to give during the present short season; and it is only necessary to say that the performance of last evening was quite up to their average standard of excellence. The humor of the dialogue between Miss Richings and Mrs. Seguin, the rich and sonorous tones of Mr. Campbell’s voice, and Mr. Castle’s excellent tenor were, as usual, warmly appreciated.

“The contrast between the cosy French Theatre and the vast spaces of the Academy, where English opera was last heard, was extremely pleasant. The singing sounded much better, and the audience, being more compact, looked, and undoubtedly felt, more cheerful than if scattered about in the Academy. The chorus was fair, but the orchestra was not as carefully led as it should have been.”

“Miss CAROLINE RICHINGS, whose energy and enterprise—often in the face of disaster—deserve every sort of encouragement, commenced a season of unstated length at the French Theatre last evening. The attendance, we are glad to state, was good, both in numbers and in quality—the best musical audience that we have seen for some time. This augurs well. There is no reason, indeed, why English opera should not be a permanent institution in New-York. We are persuaded that were it once firmly established, a vast amount of local talent would speedily gravitate toward it. We are certainly plentifully gifted with female voices, and one of the wants of the present company could be readily supplied.  The performance last night was a fair one. The opera was FLOTOW’S favorite work, ‘Martha,’ the story of which being English, and some of the music also, takes naturally to translation. The distribution of characters was precisely the same as last season. Miss RICHINGS was the Lady Henrietta; Mrs. E. SEGUIN the Nancy; Mr. WM. CASTLE the Lionel; Mr. S. C. CAMPBELL the Plunket; Mr. EDWIN SEGUIN the Tristam, and Mr. J. G. PEAKES the Sheriff. It would be difficult to find a better cast certainly not from any similar material now before the public. The various artists are thoroughly accustomed to sing together, and enjoy all the facility which freedom and familiarity brings with ‘the swift course of time.’ Miss RICHINGS has provided a sufficiently powerful orchestra, under the direction of Mr. BEHRENS, and a chorus which is thoroughly equal to all that is required of it. There was a tendency last evening on the part of every one to sing and play too loud, but this can be accounted for on the ground that the troupe has but just arrived in the City, and that possibly the rehearsals have been limited—perhaps, to none. Miss RICHINGS was received with favor, and had to repeat the ‘Last Rose of Summer,’ which, by the way, she sang with taste and expression.  Mrs. SEGUIN’S charming mezzo-soprano voice has improved in quantity and quality. The same may safely be said of Messrs. CASTLE and CAMPBELL. Mr. SEGUIN and Mr. PEAKES were ample in the parts entrusted to their care. Both are excellent actors.”

“The Richings Company opened a season of English Opera last night at the French Theater with a bright and spirited performance of Martha. It is a pity they had not gone to the French Theater when they were in New-York, instead of to the Academy of Music. There they were lost; here they are at home. The chorus and orchestra are quite large enough for the place, and both have improved since we last heard them. The principal singers last night—Miss Richings, Mrs. Seguin, Mr. Castle, and Mr. Campbell—acquitted themselves remarkably well, singing with animation and care, and acting with a good deal of vivacity. The duet for tenor and bass in the first act, and the quartette at the opening of the second were especially good. The appointments were all careful and complete, and the season promises to be successful.”

Lawsuit against Caroline Richings brought by Laura Waldron for two weeks’ salary due her.