Richings English Opera: The Lily of Killarney

“New and appropriate scenery, costumes, grand chorus and enlarged orchestra.”

“Benedict’s romantic opera, ‘The Lily of Killarney,’ was repeated by the Richings English opera company last evening. The plot is almost identical with that of the ‘Colleen Bawn,’ and is therefore familiar. The music is marked by considerable delicacy and excellent taste. There are not many passages of striking originality or remarkable force in it, but there is little that is not sparkling and pretty. The finale of the first act is a fine piece of concerted singing, the different parts being well balanced and the orchestral music, by a few superb chord passages, aiding a quartet that deserves much praise. The opening music of the second act, a huntsman’s chorus, is also noticeable for a jolly, rollicking refrain, accompanied by the slashing of the riding whips, and the inspiriting cry of ‘Yoicks, Tally-ho!’ given in true hunting style. Mrs. Seguin was successful in this, gaining much applause.

This opera, after some cutting of the dialogue and a little better adaptation of a small chorus to a large orchestra, will probably become a favorite with the lovers of English opera. The music, however, is not of the grand opera style, and its production in such an immense house as the Academy is unfortunate. It is a pity that this really excellent company cannot secure a smaller theatre, where the charming works of Wallace, Balfe and others can be heard to better advantage. The Academy is unsuited both to the voices of the artists and to the character of the works presented.”  

“Thursday evening the Richings Company sang Benedict’s opera of ‘The Lily of Killarney’ the second time at the Academy of Music. The house was well filled; but the music evidently will never become popular. The honors of the evening were divided between Miss Caroline Richings and Mr. S. C. Campbell, the latter taking the part of ‘Danny Mann.’ Mr. Wm. Castle appeared as Hardress Cregan. His voice was unpleasantly shrill, though he sang several airs with good effect. Miss Richings was well received, but her tones have materially changed, and we missed the sweet and varied modulations marking the production of ‘the Enchantress’ at Niblo’s years ago. Mrs. E. Seguin rendered the part of ‘Anne Chute’ with sweetness and was susceptible of but slight improvement. The choruses are woefully bare. The scenery is finer than usual, and the orchestra above the average. The opera is of uncommon length, and should be curtailed.”

“Miss Richings deserves success and will assuredly receive it. Her company is the best that has sung in New York, not excepting that terrible bugaboo, the Pine and Harrison combination. She is, to be sure, somewhat rapid in her way of production, and therefore careless. It is, for instance, impossible to speak of the ‘Lily of Killarney’ except as a managerial joke. It never could have been intended as a serious reproduction of Benedict's very meritorious work. As such it would have been the feature of the season—sufficient to justify a season; instead, it was given twice last week, so badly that it is not likely in the interest of any one to be repeated…” [Remainder of review summarily discusses other recent Richings performances.]

“The preferences of the public have been marked during Miss Richings’ season. Old operas have excited more interest than new ones. Benedict's beautiful opera of the ‘Lily of Killarney’ fell flat, and this notwithstanding the fact that the story was of more than average excellence. Mr. Boucicault prepared the libretto, and based it on the familiar drama of the ‘Colleen Bawn.’ But it was in vain. No one went to see whether it was good or bad, except a corporal’s guard of amateurs and the critics. The latter said it was bad, so far as the performance was concerned, and we took sides with them. Then came, on Monday last, the ‘Desert Flower.’ It was played to a wretched house, and repeated to another that was hardly a shade better, albeit the second performance was for the benefit of the composer’s widow, Mrs. Wm. Vincent Wallace. It was of course withdrawn. On the other hand when pieces like the ‘Bohemian Girl’ or ‘Maritana’ were played, the attendance was invariably good. This state of things, to say the least of it, is discouraging. It benumbs effort, if it does not kill it; and shows a lamentable indifference to the question of progress. It is better to witness a dozen failures, than sit, stolidly content, over a single success.”