Seguin English Opera: Il trovatore

Sung in English.

“The first week of the English opera season closed with gratifying results, and the second and last opens to-night with ‘Trovatore.’ This is a more ambitious venture than the company has made yet, but the cast is fair, the temper of the audiences at Bryant’s is extremely gracious, and the work after all is not a very hard one to do.”

“A very numerous audience attended the performance of ‘Il Trovatore’ at Bryant’s Opera-house, on Monday. The representation does not call for an elaborate review, but it can be said with justice that Mrs. Seguin’s personation of Azucena was an exceedingly creditable effort, and that Miss Howson’s Leonora placed in a strong light that lady’s gifts and talent as a songstress. Both artists produced a most favorable impression, and Mrs. Seguin’s highly dramatic singing in the third act, resulted in a subsequent summons to appear before the curtain. Mr. Brookhouse Bowler was Manrico, and Mr. Drayton Count di Luna. Verdi’s work was repeated last night.”

“The public continue to manifest an unabated interest in the performances at Bryant’s Opera House. Every night, in spite of the close weather, which begins to make theatre-going somewhat uncomfortable, audiences quite respectable in numbers are gathered to listen to English opera as interpreted by artists who have enjoyed for a long time a considerable share of public favor. This, no doubt, accounts for a good deal of the enthusiasm which displays itself from time to time, and often on occasions when severer criticism would not see much either to admire or applaud. But good nature probably comes with the genial summer time, and, in truth, it is too hot for criticism. On Monday night Verdi’s ‘Trovatore’ was presented. The appointments and scenic effects were unusually good, but the music is somewhat too exacting to be rendered with perfect satisfaction by the company. Mrs. Seguin’s Azucena was, however, marked by much dramatic power, and her singing in the part such as to merit the applause which was not ungenerously bestowed. Miss Howson’s singing in the rôle of Leonora exhibited careful study. Her vocalization was unusually pure, and there is no doubt that, with time and hard work, this lady will take a distinguished position on our lyric stage. Brookhouse Bowler appeared as Manrico, and Henri Drayton as the Count di Luna.”

“This evening, June 10^th, ‘Trovatore’ is announced to be sung, and the present will be the last week of the season, which, thus far, has been successful—even the inclement weather did not prevent the assembling of good sized audiences nightly. The chief artists are favorites with the public, and their conscientious performances more than atoned for some shortcoming in the minor departments.”