Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/242

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APPENDIX.
209

spell cast on all by the genius of Doninetti, and the result was that "Lucrezia" was decidedly the most successful Bishop-opera which has been produced here—"Martha" not excepted.

The part of Lucrezia, by Madame Bishop, was certainly one of her most successful characters. The Com' e bello was given with great delicacy; and the Di Pescatore brought out the sterling talents of the lady and Laglaise in a manner which at once established the representation. We have not room for a lengthened notice, but may at once record our opinion that in all the trying scenes and great points of the opera Madame Bishop, Coulon, and Laglaise, came out with a degree of perfection hitherto unattained here, and which carried away the audience and drew forth an enthusiastic recognition of sterling talents, that ought to insure a crowded house for the remaining nights.

Mrs. Fiddes, and Messrs. Hancock, Lyall, &c., deserve especial notice, but we defer our further remarks till the next night; and can only add that all the principal performers were called before the curtain at the close of the second act, and again at the end of the opera. Considering the spiteful weather, the house was well filled, and the audience was most enthusiastic in its appreciation of this, the greatest night of the season.

Coleman's Lyceum.

Tuesday.-0ur old and deserving favourites, Mr. and Mrs. C. Young, last night took their benefit at this theatre, which has lately become the scene of their acknowledged talents. It is gratifying to find that amidst the attractions of new faces and more highly lauded stars, with credentials from some five quarters of the globe, our two pioneers still remain not only Young, but green and fresh in the estimation of the followers of Thespis. Like their prototypes in London (the Keeleys), they have become members of the company in the house of which they were heretofore managers, and are no less deserving of esteem for the hearty and con amore manner in which they have adapted themselves to circumstances. Their versatile abilities entitle them to rank among our most useful and perfect actors, while their free-