Murray Hill Amateur Opera: Ages Ago; In Aid of the Homeopathic Fair

“The large and fashionable audience gathered at the Union League Theatre last evening, to witness the first performance of a new comic operetta in aid of the Homeopathic Fair, were unanimously of the opinion that a more successful and brilliant attempt was never made in this city. With the exception of one or two long delays between the acts, which would seem to be inevitable to a first night, particularly when there is a great deal of new costume and scenery, the entire performance was on a level of merit with the performances of the best regulated and established theatres. The wonder was that amateurs should be able to conduct so elaborate a piece with such unvarying skill and spirit.

As to the play, which is called ‘Ages Ago,’ the libretto in a brief preface says: ‘This trifle is founded upon a popular musical entertainment of Mr. and Mrs. German Reed, of London, where it has been performed more than four hundred times. As the compiler has never had the pleasure of seeing the original, he has been compelled to supply a libretto at second hand. The music is by Mr. Frederic Clay, a charming composer; the couplets and concerted pieces are by Mr. W. S. Gilbert, distinguished as a playwright, while the choruses, from various well-known Italian and African repertories, will be easily identified. It is hardly needful to say that the play was not prepared for general publicity, but for private charitable occasions.

The story of this most ingenious and diverting opera [plot synopsis follows]. The author has managed to make out of these simple incidents a plot which combines the comic and the sentimental with a rare degree of skill.

From beginning to end the music is exquisitely lovely, and it was given by Messrs. Bush, Hardenburg, Brewer and Hill, whose names are on the programme, and by the young ladies, who are nameless, with the precision and force of veteran performers. What is more worthy of remark, the acting was quite as good as the singing, and much better than is commonly seen at the Italian opera. For the completeness of the musical execution the company are indebted to the care of Mr. Francis de Korbay, one of our most popular and accomplished teachers, who also directed the orchestra with great ability and judgment.”