Richings English Opera: Fra Diavolo

Event Information

Venue(s):
Olympic Theatre

Manager / Director:
Caroline Richings

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
17 November 2015

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

19 Jan 1867, 7:30 PM

Program Details

H.C. Peakes was supposed to sing Giacomo, but was caught in a snow storm traveling from Boston to New York. His younger brother sang in his stead.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
aka Fra Diavolo, ou L’hôtellerie de Terracine Fra Diavolo, or The Inn of Terracina
Composer(s): Auber
Text Author: Scribe
Participants:  Richings English Opera Company;  Richings English Opera Orchestra;  Richings English Opera Chorus;  Edward S. C. Seguin (role: Dundreary English Traveler);  Jasper G. Peakes [bass, brother of Henry C.] (role: Giacomo);  William Castle (role: Bandit chief);  Sherwood C. Campbell (role: Beppo);  Caroline Richings (role: Zerlina);  Zelda Harrison (role: Lady Allcash)

Citations

1)
Review: New York Herald, 20 January 1867, 5.

Fra Diavolo was given in the evening with the same cast as before [Thursday evening], excepting Henry Peakes, who was replaced by his brother. Castle was successful as the dashing bandit; Seguin gave a moderately toned representation of the English nobleman, and Campbell and Peakes were as villainous and ruffanly as Beppo and Giacomo need be. Miss Zelda Harrison has improved greatly in voice and acting, and deserves the high position she has won among artists. The orchestra was the worst feature of the performance last night, and needs something more than thumping on a piano with the left hand and beating time with the right to improve it.”