Parepa-Rosa English Opera: Martha; Zelda Seguin Benefit Evening

Zelda Seguin's benefit.

“A capital performance of ‘Martha’—the first and last of the present too brief season—took place at the Academy of Music last evening. Mme. Parepa-Rosa, Mrs. Zelda Seguin, and Messrs. Castle and Campbell assumed the parts in which they have so often appeared to advantage; and their efforts were rewarded with the wonted applause. The representation was for the benefit of Mrs. Seguin, whose talent and sympathetic charm were acknowledged by the presence of a very large audience, and by a liberal offering of flowers.”

“After all there is a wonderful power in tune. Melody, pure and unaided, has an irresistible effect upon the musical susceptibilities of ninety-nine people in a hundred; however much the hundredth man may bewilder himself over the harmonic intricacies of the ultra-classical or romantic school, and however strongly he may protest he likes it. It will be long before ‘Martha,’ with its genuine melodic strength, its wealth of rich, expressive, and sympathetic airs, will cease to charm, and the stage will be so much poorer when –if ever—it shall be laid aside. It is needless to say that the opera received the fullest justice at the hands of all concerned last night. The charming beneficiary, Mrs. Seguin, was, as ever, attractive in appearance and excellent in action and execution. Her Nancy is a delightful little bit of comedietta full of spirit, fire, and sly, malicious fun.

Mme. Rosa would have surprised anyone not acquainted with the versatility of her powers by passing at one step from the weeds and deep tragedy of Donna Anna, to the lively, mocking gaiety, and tender pathos of Martha. Her execution of ‘The Last Rose’ brought a unanimous encore from one of the largest houses of the season. Mr. Castle was not less effective as Lionel. It is one of his best parts, and his sweet, reedy, but not very powerful tenor finds in the score an occasion for the display of all its good qualities and none of its defects.

Of the excellent mounting of the piece, we have had plentiful occasion to speak before. The market scene was, as on the production of the opera in the preceding engagement, admirable for humorous ingenuity and minuteness of effect. Mr. Rosa is determined to be regretted while absent and welcomed on his return, a foregone conclusion in view of the unprecedented rapidity with which all available places are selling off for the coming combination season in April.”