Parepa-Rosa English Opera: Puritan’s daughter

Incorrectly advertises the performance on 09/14/69 as the first of The Puritan’s daughter in America. (The Parepa-Rosa company gave its American debut on 09/11/69.)

Two announcements on one page; one mostly about forthcoming performances in Brooklyn.

“The repeated performances of this opera of Balfe brings the music more favorably before public notice. Much of the superfluous dialogue has been dispensed with, and still more could be spared. The wearisome attempts at ballo [?] music have also been to a great measure suppressed, and the salient features of the opera are brought nearer together. Repetitions are demanded every evening for the ‘Pretty modest flower,’ the Puritan’s war song and the bacchanian song, as sung respectively by Parepa, Campbell and Castle. The theme of the opera, a very melodious strain, sung first by Mr. Lawrence as Clifford, afterwards by the soprano, and finally worked up into a concerted piece, is beginning to fasten itself upon the memory of the frequenters of the theatre. The male choruses are admirably rendered, and add greatly to the interest of the piece. In the last act Parepa has a ballad to sing, and by the exquisite wealth of her voice and the brilliancy of the added cadenzas, creates in it a marked impression. This, with the pathetic air for the tenor, ‘Hail, Gentle Sleep,’ are all that is worthy of notice in the last act of this opera.

“Altogether ‘The Puritan’s Daughter’ in its abbreviated condition offers a very pleasant musical evening. To Parepa, Campbell and Castle it affords some good opportunities for vocal display, while Mr. Lawrence, the new basso, is sacrificed in a part far below his real merit. The opera will be repeated this evening, and at the Saturday matinee for the last time.”