Draper English Opera: The Doctor of Alcantara

“The querulous, testy, absent-minded old Doctor of Alcantara prescribed for the benefit of a pretty large audience at the French theatre last evening.  The principal disease which he undertakes to cure is what is called the ‘blues,’ and the applause and merriment which invariably follow his treatment of it are sufficient guarantees of his success. Of the other inmates in the worthy Doctor’s household Mrs. Mozart surprised us by her great improvement in both acting and singing. It would be hard to find a better representative of the prudish old duenna on any stage. Mr. Castle as the lackadaisical lover, who emerges from the basket ‘like the tender butterfly,’ also threw more life and abandon into his rôle. The other characters were equally good, the choruses unexceptionable; and the orchestra, with a little more color and delicacy, would be the same. The Doctor is certainly rising in his profession and will soon command a large practice.”