Grand English Opera Combination: The Rose of Castille

Event Information

Venue(s):

Manager / Director:
Caroline Richings
Clarence D. Hess

Conductor(s):
S. Behrens

Price: $1.50; $1 dress circle; $.50 family circle

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
26 June 2023

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

31 Oct 1870, Evening

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Rose of Castille, The, [opera]
aka Rose of Castile, The
Composer(s): Balfe
Text Author: Harris, Falconer
Participants:  Grand English Opera Combination Company;  William Castle (role: Manuel);  Sherwood C. Campbell (role: Don Pedro);  Edward S. C. Seguin (role: Don Florio);  Mrs. Boudinot (role: Beatrice);  Annie Kemp (role: Donna Carmen);  Rose Hersee (role: Donna Elvira)

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 31 October 1870, 7.
2)
Announcement: New York Sun, 31 October 1870, 2.
3)
Review: New York Post, 01 November 1870, 2.

“Balfe’s ‘Rose of Castille,’ a work not particularly interesting as a whole, but containing a few delightful melodies, was performed at Niblo’s last night, with Rose Hersee, Mrs. Bowler, and Messrs. Castle and Campbell in the leading parts. They all did well. Mrs. Bowler, by the way, has this season been singing most admirably. Her Page in the ‘Huguenots,’ and her Donna Carmen of last night’s opera, were most delightful personations.”

4)
Review: New York Herald, 01 November 1870, 3.
“The most charming of the lamented Balfe’s works—one that we even prefer to the ‘Bohemian Girl’—was given last night before a rather slim house. It is like champagne from beginning to end—intoxicating in its sparkling sensuousness and filled to overflowing with lively melodies. The only fault in it is its excess of florid music, which in one or two instances degenerates into puerility. The cast was as follows: [lists cast].
 
Rose Hersee was one of the prettiest, dainties and sauciest little queens that ever went masquerading, and although her tiny voice was weak in the ensembles yet her artless manner won the audience. Mrs. Bowler sang better than usual and made us forget the success that Mrs. Seguin made in the same rôle. Castle also was in good voice, and Campbell rolled out the stirring drinking song of the first act in glorious style. The chorus proved themselves the strongest feature in the company, but the orchestra betrayed a want of proper rehearsal. Perhaps the leader, Mr. Behrens, is to blame most of all. His idea of time is something like that of the pendulum of the clock. He commences an opera, seemingly, with the fixed purpose of maintaining the same tempo throughout. By this means he spoiled some of the concerted pieces in this lovely work.”
5)
Review: New-York Daily Tribune, 02 November 1870, 8.

“The second week of the opera company at Niblo’s opened on Monday, with Balfe’s lively opera of ‘The Rose of Castile.’ The performance was in some respects a very good one. Mr. Campbell carried off the first honors by his part in the drinking-song-trio of the first act, which he gave with fine spirit, and in a voice which was never in better condition. Mr. Seguin appeared as a comic imbecile, who had little to sing and much that was funny to do; he and Mr. Campbell were the most enjoyable of all the performers. Miss Hersee dropped too often into the listless mood which comes upon her at times, but she looked pretty and sang very sweetly, and now and then acted extremely well. Mrs. Bowler was about as good as usual, which is more than we can say of Mr. Castle, for he sang out of tune.”

6)
Review: New-York Times, 02 November 1870, 4.

“The ‘Rose of Castille’ was given by the English opera company at Niblo’s on Monday, before a large but unusually appreciative audience. In the second act, Miss Rose Hersee, as Elvira, (The Queen,) sang the solo in the throne-room scene with wonderful sweetness and expression, and the succeeding solo, ‘I’m but a Simple Peasant Maid,’ with an archness that deservedly won an encore. Mrs. Bowler made the most of the little part of Donna Carmen. Mr. Castle scarcely sang with his habitual conscientiousness. His “I’m but a simple muleteer’ was somewhat disappointing. As Don Pedro, Mr. Campbell played with great spirit, and was in splendid voice; nearly all of his solos were cheered. The Don Florio of Mr. Seguin was a very excellent piece of acting, and showed a thorough appreciation of the comic element of the character.”