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415. August 11th Mr. J. Brougham's benefit "Fast Man" "Born to Good Luck" &c.
August 15th Mr. Brougham was re-engaged when was presented for the first time the new comedy of the "Bachelor of Arts" which had a run of over one hundred nights at Wallack's theatre New York.
Saturday August 19th the following performers were now engaged for three or four nights. They had been holding forth at the new Museum City Theatre at Callowhill street but which had given signs of a collapse in its affairs viz : Mrs. D. P. Bowers Mr. J. E. Nagle Mr. D. P. Bowrs ; Mr. and Mrs. John Brougham also joined.
August 21st "The Lady of Lyons" with "Forty Winks of the Know-Nothings."
August 22d "Money."
August 23d "Serious Faamily."
Saturday August 26th Mrs. D. P. Bower's benefit. The last night of the five stars--the four B's and Nagle. The tragic play of "Lucretia Borgia." The performances concluded with the "Serious Family."
Max Maretzek the great opera entrepreneur and musical director now engaged the Chesnut for a season of ten nights. A great deal of novelty in this connection was trumpeted forth in the bills and newspapers.
Signora Martini d'Ormy Signor Beraldi and Signor Graziani were to make their first appearance in this city ably supported by a large talented orchestra and a full chorus. During the season the operas of "Masaniello" "Maria de Rohan" "Louisa a Miller" "I Puritani" "Lucia di Lammermoor" "Lucretia Borgia" were to be performed.
The prices of admission were for the first and second circle of boxes $1 ; third tier 50 cents. No extra charges for reserved seats.
August 28th first night of the opera of "Maria de Rohan"--Maria Madame Bertucca Maretzek.
August 30th Verdi's "Louisa Miller"-- Louisa Miller Signora Manzini ; Duchess di Ostheim Signora d'Ormy ; Miller Signor Grazini ; Rodolpho Beraldi.
The opera opened with quite full and fashionable audience. The opera of "Maria de Rohan" was most effectively rendered in all its musical details. Madame Maretzek achieved infinite applause and deservedly so. She evinced great improvement in voice and execution since her last appearance here. Signor Beraldi was a fine clever tenor with force and passion as a lyric actor. His natural powers were well sustained by cultivation and care. Signor Graziani was a strong and rich baritone and was much admired by the critical amateurs.
August 31st the opera of "I Puritani" (The Puritans) in three acts by Bellini was produced very effectively--Elivina Madame B. Maretzek ; Henrietta Signorina Avogadro ; Arturo SignoraNeri Beraldi ; Recardo Sig. Graziani ; Georgio Sig. Coletti ; Walton Sig. Muller ; Bruno Signor Quinto. A full chorus.
September 1st "Lucretia Borgia" fourth night--Lucretia Borgia Madame Maretzek ; Geranno Beraldi ; Maffio Orsino Signora Martini D' Ormy.
September 2d the fifth night of the opera "Lucia di Lammermoor"--Lucia Signora Manzina ; Ashton Sig. Taffanelli.
Septemner 6th the opera "La Muette Di
Portici." This is termed a ballet opera and was very well produced at the Chesnut. M 'lle Leeder as the Dumb Girl of Portici was remarkably clever in her pantomime descriptions or acting.
September 10th "Sonnambula" (ever fresh maugre its draminess)--Amina Madame Manzini ; Elvino Sig. Beraldi ; Rolopho Sig. Coletti.
September 15th the last night of the opera Signor Martini's benefit. A selection of various popular operas were given choice parts of "Masaniello" a grand aria from "The Prophet" gems from "Il Barbier" by Signor Taffanelli and Signorina Manzini. An Aria and cavatina by Signorina Martina D' Ormy. A duo by Signor Taffanelli and D Ormy. With many other selections by the entire troupe consisting of arias duets trios and concerted music.
September 18th a grand festival was given to Max Maretzek in consideration of his great and successful production of a very clever series of Italian operas. "Lucia di Lammermoor" was given with a choice selection of operatic gems.
On the off nights the dramatic company performed.
On Wednesday August 30th a grand complimentary benefit was given to Mr. and Mrs. John Brougham when Mrs. F. B. Conway from Wallack's Theatre New York made her first and only appearance here and played in conjunction with her sister Mrs. D. P. Bowers in "The Love Chase." Constance Mrs. F. B. Conway ; Lydia Mrs. D. P. Bowers. After which "Rob Roy" with the original music assisted by a portion of the Italian opera chorus. Rob Roy McGregor Mr. J. E. McDonough ; Francis Osbaldistone (with songs) Mr. G. Wilkins ; Major Galbraith Mr. John Brougham ; Bailie Jarvie Mr. B. Rogers ; Helen McGregor Mrs. D. P. Bowers ; Diana Vernon Miss Deering &c.
September 28th Yankee Locke again appeared.
September 29th Mr. William F. Johnson now assumed the stage management.
October 2d Miss Susan Denin now styled "The Great American Tragedienne" made her first appearance since her return from California as Margaret Elmore. She was engaged for six night only.
October 3d she appeared as romeo ; Miss Kate Warwick as Juliet. On the 4th as Claude Melnotte ; Pauline Miss Kate Warwick.
On October 5th Miss S. Denin appeared as Bianca in "Fazio."
A Mr. O'Brien now appeared in Irish characters.
October 11th Mr. Mr. F. S. Chanfrau and Miss Albertine appeared in conjunction as stars in the vulgar "Jack Sheppard"--Jack Sheppard Miss Albertine ; Blue Skin Mr. chanfrau. She played in "Good for Nothing."
Monday October 16th Mrs. Farren the great Western tragedienne appeared in her dashing role of Lucretia Borgia repeating this part three times.
October 18th Conrade Clarke played Gloster to her Jane Shore Mr. Farren playing also in the same piece.
October 19th Ingomar by Clarke ; Parthenia Mrs. Farren.
October 20th Mrs. Farren's benefit "Jane
Shore" and "The Stranger."
October 23d the new play of "Griselda ; or The Patient Woman" taken from the German of Halm by Auguste Waldauer and adapted to the English stage by J. M. Field known as "Straws" author actor and editor. Percival of Wales Mr. Conrade Clarke ; Cedric father of Griselda Mr. Farren ; Queen Ginevra Miss Kate Warwick ; Oriane Miss Anne E. Wells her first appearance ; Griselda Mrs. Farren.
Mad'lle Appoline used now to trip it featly "on the light fantastic toe" n "La Manola" &c. &c.
Thus did Mrs. Farren and Conrade Clarke contnue their star lights until November 3d when Mrs. Farren took her farewell benefit with the tragedy of "Adelgitha" and a new farce first time here called "Advice to Husbands" which was followed by a sequel called "The Rights of Women."
Saturday November 4th a new drama was produced called "The Irish Sybil and the Rebel Chief" founded on a story of the rebellion of '98--Norah O' Donnell Mrs. Farren. A young singing prodigy at this time chanted the Irish melody of "Billy O' Rourke." He was called Master Charles G. Burnett.
Conrade Clarke flourished as Stephen Plum in "All that Glitters is not Gold."
November 6th John E. Owens the comedian now succeeded to the star platform playing "The Toodles" and his "Jakey" pieces--"A Glance at Philadelphia" "The Live Indian ; or The Tobacconist Outwitted" &c. taking his benefit on November 8th.
At this period a new administration of "Old Drury's" scenes was inaugurated. Mr. William F. Johnson seceded when it was announced that to give a new tone and effect to all pieces to be produced at this theatre the lessee had secured the services of the following artists of acknowledged ability to aid and strengthen the stock corps viz : Mr. G. H. Griffiths from the Richmond Theatre ; Mr. Bellamy from Boston ; Mrs. Maddox from the London theatres ; Mrs. Bellamy from the Boston theatres; Mrs. G. H. Griffiths from the Richmond Theatre ; Mr. Garry Demotte the great equestrian dramatic performer and his highly trained steed "Prairie Bird."
November 9th "The Soldier's Daughter" --Governor Heartall Mr. G. H. Griffiths ; Widow Cheerly Mrs. Maddox ; and Jack Sheppard Mr. Garry Demotte. These performances had several repetitions.
November 17th "Rookwood" was produced in which Demotte introduced his running leaping and trick steeds "Prairie Bird" and "Black Vulture." The latter was a fine and symmetrical colt of the Black Hawk breed. Mr. J. G. Porter's first appearance in twelve years as Luke Bradley in "Rookwood." Garry Demotte played Cousin Joe in "The Rough Diamond."
Mr. G. H. Griffiths now became the Stage Manager ; Prompter Mr. W. H. Reed ; Musical Director Mr. Thiodon.
Nov. 20th a splendid new nautical drama in three acts was produced called "The Lonely Man of the Ocean ; or The Night before the Bridal." It made a hit in playbill parlance and was repeated for several nights. But it did redeem the treasury from penury.