The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959 Page: 453
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The Renaissance of the Galveston Theatre
had been placed in the gallery, the back of the theatre relighted
with new gas fixtures, and all seats in the house put on sale at $3.
But the place was not full on the opening night, many perhaps
staying away because they thought they would be unable to find
good seats.
The Daughter of the Regiment, given the second night, drew a
larger crowd. Madame Seguin made a better Marie than she had
a Lucia. Her exaggerated manner of doing the singing lesson in
Act II was warmly received. The only encore of the evening fol-
lowed her singing of "Salute la France." Tholer showed an aptness
in the portrayal of old men in the way he personated the whim-
sical Hortensias, and Madame Bondro showed equal skill in her
interpretation of the Marchioness. II Trovatore (April 1) pro-
duced the finest opera night ever known in the city; and the house
was large enough also to pay expenses. Mlle. Fanchetti, soprano,
the Leonora of the evening, exhibited an expressive and powerful
voice. The "Anvil Chorus," however, was thought to lack spirit,
and the "Miserere" was rendered without feeling, Flake's re-
ported. In Faust (April 2) only the lack of strength and volume
of Madame Seguin's cultured voice kept her from portraying a
perfect Marguerite. Madame Audebret, as Leonora in Donizetti's
La Favorita, failed to arouse the enthusiasm she had done with
her Azucena. Only in the exquisite air, "O Mio Fernando," did
she find sufficient scope for the sweetness and melody of her con-
tralto. Picot (Ferdinand) made his best showing of the engage-
ment with the rich melody, "Ah, va t'in vola."
At the request of some interested citizens the season was ex-
tended for three more nights, closing on April io. Of the three
final operas (Jerusalem, The Barber of Seville, and William Tell--
the last called Madame Seguin's "selva opaco"), none drew espe-
cially well. After ending the stay at Galveston, the company went
to Houston for a short engagement.
At the end of March, and possibly until April io, the Green-
walls had the Star Company at Perkins' Theatre in Houston.
From the scanty records available, it is known that Miss Miles was
seen there as Hamlet on March 23 and 24. On April 2 (with the
house lighted by gas for the first time) the actress played Arrah
in Arrah-na-Pogue, with Drummond as Shaun the Post. The play
must have been repeated several times. During the period His453
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959, periodical, 1959; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101173/m1/550/: accessed March 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.