Grand English Opera Combination: Il Trovatore

Includes cast list.

“The untiring efforts of Miss Richings to establish English opera are, at last, receiving the recognition they so richly merit. Last evening Verdi’s ‘Il Trovatore’ was given to a very large and decidedly appreciative audience. This opera is rather a difficult one to give with good effect in English, especially the recitative parts, but notwithstanding this drawback, the opera passed off most admirably. Miss Richings, as Leonora, was repeatedly and deservedly encored; Mrs. Zelda Seguin, as Azucena, having the most dramatic character to portray, succeeded in corroborating the opinion already formed of her as being one of the best, if not the best, lyric artiste on the English stage. Mr. Castle, as Manrico, was as [truthful?], melodious and successful as ever, which is saying all in his favor that an artist could desire. Mr. Laurence, as the Count di Luna, was not altogether as competent to portray the character as some others who have essayed it, but his singing gave evident satisfaction to the audience, and, as the audiences are the ones to be suited, the evidences of their appreciation are sufficient commendation.”

“The ever-favorite ‘Trovatore’ again asserted last night its great popularity, the announcement of its production crowding Niblo’s theatre to excess. The performance was the most undeniably successful yet given here by this troupe. All the parts were creditably sustained, and the usual encores were secured. As Leonora Mrs. Richings-Bernard was specially effective in the dramatic parts, while her vocalization of the exquisite aria which opens the fourth act was perfect. Mrs. Seguin sacrificed to the part of the Gypsy her good looks; but her singing was most commendable; Mr. Laurence, a good singer of the best Italian school, gave a satisfactory rendering of the music of the Count, and Mr. Castle sang sweetly as Manrico, though the part demands greater vocal force than he can give it. We presume that this opera will be soon repeated, as it ought to be.”

“The English Opera Company at Niblo’s has had a very successful week, the houses being well filled, although not really crowded, and the interest of the opera well sustained, if not actually increasing. Considering that they have thus far presented no novelties, this must be regarded as a very gratifying result. The best of the performances last week was the ‘Trovatore’ on Friday night, and we are inclined to think that it would have been wise to begin the season with it. Mrs. Bernard is a much more effective Leonora than a Lady Henrietta, and some of her [illegible] were admirable not only for the artistic delivery we always expect from her, but for dramatic [interest?] and certain qualities of voice in which she is [often?] deficient. Mrs. Seguin’s Azucena is well known to be one of the best now on the stage, and we are tempted to say almost as much of the Manrico of Mr. Castle. The gentleman in fact is rising to a most enviable position, and both in voice and culture is already superior to many Italian tenors who have been taken in high favor at the Academy of Music. The part of Di Luna shows the fine voice and good broad style of Mr. Laurence also to greater advantage than any other he has yet essayed in New-York.”

“In ‘Trovatore’ Mrs. Caroline Richings-Bernard has shown especially the vast advance she has made of late in dramatic force and expression. Her rendering of the part of Leonora takes rank side by side with that of our most eminent prima donna. The opera itself has been popular in this country since the first night it was produced here, in 1855, with Steffanone, Brignoli and Amodio in the principal parts.”