Reminiscences of Michael Kelly

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

318-320

text excerpt

The next operatical novelty at Drury Lane was the "Haunted Tower," written by Cobb, the music by Stephen Storace. On the first night of this opera, Signora Storace made her first appearance on the English stage ; and the piece was thus performed, Nov. 24th, 1789.

Lord William .... MR. KELLY.

De Courcy MR. WHITFIELD.

Edward MR. BANNISTER.

Jun. Baron of Oakland . . MR. BADDELY.

Hugo MK. MOODY. Robert

MR. DIGNUM.

Lewis . ..... Ma. SUETT.

Martin MR. WILLIAMS.

Hubert MR. WEEK.

Charles MR. SEDGWICK.

Lady Elinor .... MRS. CROUCH.

Cicely Miss ROMANZINI.

Maude MRS. BOOTH.

Adela SIGNORA STORACE.

The success of this opera was never surpassed ; it was a lasting favourite for many years : the first season it was played fifty nights. The under plot was taken from an Italian intermezzo opera ; the entire scene of the Baron of Oakland reading a letter, was taken from it. Storace was greatly received in Adela, both as a singer and an actress. Bannister and Baddely were excellent in the comic parts ; Mrs. Crouch, as Lady Elinor, was in the full bloom of beauty, and the richest voice. I had two fine allotted to me, " From Hope's fond dream," and " Spirit of my sainted sire," one of the most difficult songs ever composed for a tenor voice ; indeed, all the music was beautiful : the admiration of the audience at the sestetto, " By mutual love delighted,'" I can never forget ; certainly, nothing could exceed the composition or the execution of it ; both were perfect.

excerpt from 'Reminiscences of Michael Kelly' pp. 318-320 (245 words)

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