Parepa-Rosa English Opera: Fra Diavolo

For Auber’s Black Domino.

“An audience both numerous and intelligent gathered at the Academy of Music last night to listen to one of the prettiest of the light operas, the ‘Black Domino,’ which was announced as being produced for the first time in English in this country. The assemblage was, however, informed that in consequence of the incompleteness of the preparations the opera promised could not be given, and that ‘Fra Diavolo’ would be substituted for it. We fail to see why this should have been the case. The ‘Black Domino’ is by no means a troublesome work to produce, and inasmuch as the company have given only repeats at the Academy, and, we believe, for some time before opening there, the reasons for this disappointment do not appear to have been insurmountable. However, ‘Fra Diavolo’ was sung with plentiful briskness and gaiety, much to the public satisfaction, and if the forthcoming novelty which is now announced as a certainty for Saturday, is bettered by delay, none need complain. We have so lately spoken of the excellent performance of ‘Fra Diavolo’ by this clever company, that we have little to add of the present repetition. Miss Hersee was, as before, very good indeed as Zerlina, Mr. and Mrs. Seguin most acceptable as Lord and Lady Allcash, Mr. Castle satisfactory in the singing of Fra Diavolo, and Messrs. Campbell and Hall full of fun in the picturesque ruffians. Beppo and Giacomo.”

“Owing to the incomplete arrangements for ‘The Black Domino,’ it was not produced last night at the Academy, but Auber’s ‘Fra Diavolo’ was given instead, with Rose Hersee as Zerlina, Castle as Fra Diavolo, the Seguins as Lord and Lady Allcash, and Hall and Campbell as the two robbers. The opera was well performed throughout, Miss Hersee making a pleasing and graceful Zerlina, and acting with natural ease. Campbell and Hall are not pre-eminently humorous, but they managed to excite the risibilities of the audience, the remarkable soprano singing of the former in the scene where Beppo burlesques Zerlina’s movements at her toilet, received a hearty encore for the scene.

“The chorus of the Parepa troupe deserves praise for the bright, fresh quality of the voices and for the good looks of the lady members. The pretty chorus music in ‘Fra Diavolo’ was better sung last night than at the recent production of the opera by the Italian troupe. The orchestra too, does its work well. Last night Mr. Rieff wielded the baton, but, as a general thing, Mr. Carl Rosa fills the conductor’s chair, and his marked ability in this department is one of the principal reasons of the success of the Parepa opera company.”

“A slim house attended the representation of ‘Fra Diavolo’ last night, many persons being disappointed at the unavoidable postponement of ‘The Black Domino.’ Miss Rose Hersee made a charming Zerlina, and Mr. and Mrs. Seguin, Hall, Campbell, and Castle appeared in their best rôles. The innkeeper (Mr. Howard) was mediocre in every respect, and Mr. De Solla was the best Lorenzo we have seen for some time on the stage. The chorus and orchestra were unexceptionable.”