Richings English Opera: Don Pasquale

“Only one matter of novel or newly-attractive character was announced anywhere, last evening, however, and that was an English version of the old Italian Opera Don Pasquale. The thread of story on which the many airs of this work are beaded, is rather too frail, however, for our stage—which demands incident above everything else in its plays, be they lyrical or dramatic. The work also needs some more rehearsing. It was not smoothly rendered, and none of the voices were in entrancing condition; but that is excusable, for no throat could have withstood the influences of the weather yesterday, with the exception of here and there a peculiarly fortunate one, which might be ‘warranted’—like patent lucifers—to ‘resist damp in every climate.’ Miss Richings, is, perhaps, such a one, and this lady—who never disappoints—shared with Mr. Campbell the honors of the night.”

“There was another immense audience at the Olympic theatre last night on occasion of the production of Donizetti’s delightful opera, Don Pasquale. [Cast given.] The opera was given in unexceptionable style, the serenade and the duet in the last scene being particularly good. This last attempt to establish English Opera in this city has so far, proved successful in drawing crowded houses. Let us hope that it may meet with a better fate than its predecessors.”