Howson English Opera: The Grand Duchess

“’La Grande Duchesse,’ or rather an English version of that popular French opera bouffe, was sung at the Union-square Theatre, last evening, to the evident delight of a tolerably numerous audience. Offenbach’s music is still acceptable, especially in form of a Summer entertainment, and its sympathetic and efficient recital by Miss Emma Howson, who filled the rôle of the capricious sovereign, made yesterday’s representation more interesting than there was reason to anticipate it would be. The performances of [see above] were sufficiently spirited to amuse, but the singing of these artists did not commend them to the approval of the assemblage as Miss Howson’s agreeable voice and method did the personator of the Duchess. The song of the sword, the duet laudatory of Fritz’s regiment, the air, ‘Say to him,’ and, indeed, all Miss Howson’s numbers were redemanded, and the finales of the three acts, done with infinite enthusiasm and reasonable precision, were in part repeated in deference to hearty applause. We need hardly say that a rehearsal, in English, of ‘La Grande Duchess’ will not bear comparison with the representations of the opera enjoyed at the hands of French players. The tunes, however, remain, and the vocal work of Miss Howson, with the labors of her associates—frequently successful labors, it must be mentioned--to provoke merriment by antics of every kind, render the present attraction at the Union-square Theatre a pretty strong one.”

“The Howson English Opera Troupe began an engagement at the Union Square Theatre last night. It is a carefully and well-made organization of musical performers, and we have several times [improved?] the [illegible] occasion to refer to its merits and successes. It gave a merry rendering last night of the volatile ‘Grand Duchess,’ and offered under pleasant circumstances the only kind of theatrical entertainment that is tolerable in the feverous weather now prevalent. There was a considerable attendance notwithstanding the excessive heat. The following is the cast [see above].”