September 1856: Theatre Royal – English Opera – “The Bohemian Girl”
An article on page two of the North British Daily Mail, on Saturday the 20th of September,
1856, reads:
“THEATRE-ROYAL—ENGLISH OPERA. —The Bohemian Girl ranks as one of the first of
English operas, and the company at present on a visit to this city showed last night that they
could do it ample justice. For the first time during this engagement Mr Henry Haigh made
his appearance, and was warmly received. The effect of the training to which he has subjected
himself of late years, and the cultivation he has bestowed on his fine voice, are apparent now
compared with the time when he essayed first to try his fortune on the boards, and when he had
to bear the brunt of public indifference. The rapid rise he has made is due alone to his own
exertions, and we expect that the world shall yet hear more of him. His voice possesses that richness
and force which are the essentials of a first-class tenor. In the singing of the exquisite lyric ‘You’ll
remember me,’ in which he was honoured with a double encore, these qualities were brought into
full play. Mr Haigh has reason to congratulate himself on his first appearance, and we can assure
him that he has already won the good opinion of the numerous audience assembled last night. Lucy
Escott, as Arline, was in excellent voice, and sang the music with much effect. Miss Dyer, as the Gipsy
Queen, made her debut here in the legitimate opera. This young lady adds to a voice of considerable
compass and sweetness an amount of grace and an excellence of declamation which are rarely found
combined, especially in one who is but beginning to make for herself a name. Mr Durand played the
Count, and sang with much good taste. This gentleman never exaggerates, and is thoroughly in earnest.
His rendering of ‘The heart bow’d down’ was marked with both of these peculiarities, and he received
an encore. Tonight the new opera of Cinderella will be produced.”
The British Newspaper Archive.
George Fairfull-Smith, September 2024.