Parepa-Rosa English Opera: Martha

“The management of the English operatic company have shown commendable enterprise and activity in bringing out the works they promised. Already the ‘Puritan’s Daughter,’ ‘The Bohemian Girl,’ ‘Sonnambula,’ ‘Fra Diavolo,’ and ‘Maritana’ have been produced within the short period of a fortnight, a fact that shows how much hard work has been done, and not only done but well done. The performances of ‘Maritana,’ of ‘Sonnambula’ and ‘Fra Diavolo’ are worthy of the highest praise. On Wednesday evening of this week, another selection from the repertoire is to be given; Flotow’s ‘Martha,’ always a favorite in this city, and with the performance of next Saturday night we regret to say the brief season will be brought to an end.”

“Last night was a gala night at the Théâtre Français. Every seat and almost every box in the theatre was occupied, and even standing room was looked upon as quite an accommodation. The occasion of this jam of beauty and fashion was owing to the fact that Flotow’s sparkling four act opera of ‘Martha’ was given for the first time this season by the Parepa-Rosa English Opera Troupe, with Mme. Rosa in the rôle of Lady Harriet, supported by Mrs. E. Seguin as Nancy, Mr. Castle as Lionel, Mr. Campbell as Plunket, Mr. Seguin as Lord Tristam and Mr. Hall as the Sheriff. The audience was as enthusiastic as it was large and fashionable, and as for the opera, it is safe to say that that charming work was never, so far as the principal singers were concerned, rendered more perfectly. We have witnessed the opera when much more dash and spirit have been infused into the acting, but never before have we heard it given in better voice. The shortcomings of the acting are excusable for a first representation. All the leading artistes were favored with encores during the performance, and, in fact, everything connected with last night’s representation of the opera passed off in a most pleasing and enjoyable manner. Mme. Rosa has not been in better voice this season than she was last evening, nor has she appeared in any other opera given up to this time at the Théâtre Français to more advantage. Mrs. Seguin and Messrs. Castle, Seguin and Campbell in their several rôles acquitted themselves in the most creditable manner. The opera was handsomely mounted too, the fair scene in the second act being particularly deserving of mention. It was a set secne, with its fancy booths, flower stands, acrobats, performing bears, an organ grinder, a monkey, and a Punch and Judy show after the style of the Tammany. It is deserving of mention that although the scene of the opera is laid in England, and that the incidents connected therewith are supposed to have occurred some few hundred years ago, that the organ grinder tortured the organ with playing the Lingard ballad of ‘Walking Down Broadway,’ while his poor innocent monkey vainly endeavored to hop and skip about very much after the manner of ‘Captain Jinks,’ notwithstanding the fact that Broadway was not even thought of until some few years later. With the exception of two or three ridiculous incongruities of this nature, and a slight deficiency on the part of the chorus, ‘Martha’ as given last night by the Parepa-Rosa troupe was a grand success. To-morrow evening ‘Martha’ will be repeated for Mme. Rosa’s benefit, the first, we believe, she has ever taken in this country.”

“Flotow’s lively and melodious little opera was given last night, by the Parepa-Rosa troupe, to a crowded audience, who were quite taken by storm by the spirit and finish of the performance. The comic operas as sung by this company have been their most decided successes, and ‘Martha’ is no exception to the rule. Careful stage management has well seconded the efforts of the singers and the orchestra, and the representations of ‘Fra Diavolo’ and ‘Martha’ at the French Theatre this week would do no discredit to any house in Europe or elsewhere in which English opera has been rendered. Mme. Parepa-Rosa was in excellent voice last night, and did careful justice to the florid and mirthful music of Lady Harriet, while Mrs. Seguin sang that of the contralto, her companion, with delightful effect. Mr. Castle was smooth and agreeable in Lionel, Mr. Campbell was most acceptable as Plunkett, Mr. Seguin threw much quaintness and humor into Tristan, and Mr. Hall contributed as much fun in the Sheriff as the situations allow. The Fair scene in the second act was really capital. It was well set; the accessories, including Punch, the dancing bears, the organ grinder and monkey, were all thoroughly good and characteristic of their kind. The bustling action and merriment proper to the scene were unflaggingly sustained, and if an objection could be made on the score of trifling anachronisms, the amusement afforded fairly condoned for the faults. Some of the concerted pieces were really exquisitely sung, and the satisfaction of the audience was heartily and frequently expressed. ‘Martha’ is announced for repetition on Friday, the occasion being set apart for the benefit of Mme. Parepa-Rosa.”

“There has seldom been a more brilliant and showy performance of ‘Martha’ than that given at the French Theatre last night. Parepa lavished on the leading part her richest wealth of voice, and in the principal numbers of the opera received the warmest applause, the ‘Last Rose of Summer’ of course coming in for a large share, though we have heard it sung with more delicacy. The support rendered to the prima donna by Castle, Campbell and the Seguins was most satisfactory. The opera was cleverly put upon the stage, and the Fair scene especially, with its Punch and Judy, its show animals and other vivacious features, greatly entertained the audience. The same opera will be sung to-morrow night, and on Saturday evening the season will close with ‘The Bohemian Girl.’”