ic prospect, formed by
richly-costumed actors, and appropriate, beautiful scenery, fills them
with delight. The harsh realities of every-day life are so much
relieved by the poetic charms of the ideal, that they live amidst a
scene of fairy-like enchantment. Nor does all that belongs to the
bewitching occasion end with the regretted close of the performance;
for

"Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory;"

And for days and days, nay, often throughout life, do the best
melodies, the "gems of the opera," delightfully "haunt the memory,"
and awaken in the heart the most pleasing emotions. In all this, no
more than a just tribute is paid to the noble genius of the composer,
and the fascinating power of his faithful coadjutor, the lyric actor.

These few thoughts, which, it may be, present nothing new to the
student of the various forms of musical expression, fall very short of
doing justice to a subject of most delightful interest, and one which,
for its proper treatment, requires far more of elaboration than can
here be given. They are among such as come to me while reflecting upon
an achievement, that, although not in a general way extraordinary, was
nevertheless, in some important respects, exceedingly remarkable and
noteworthy. I refer to a series of performances given at Washington
and Philadelphia in the month of February, 1873, by an organization
called "_The Colored American Opera Company_."

This troupe, formed in Washington, was composed of some of the most
talented amateur musical people residing in that city. The
following-named ladies and gentlemen were the principal members and
performers:--

MR. JOHN ESPUTA _Musical Director._
MRS. AGNES GRAY SMALLWOOD _Soprano._
MISS LENA MILLER _Contralto._
MISS MARY A.C. COAKLEY _Contralto._
MR. HENRY F. GRANT _Tenor._
MR. RICHARD TOMPKINS _Tenor._
MR. WILLIAM T. BENJAMIN _Baritone._
MR. GEORGE JACKSON _Baritone._
MR. THOMAS H. WILLIAMS _Basso profundo._

Mr. Henry Donohoe acted as business manager.

Around these, the central figures, were grouped a large, well-balanced
chorus, and a fine orchestra; nor was appropriate _mise en scene_, nor
were any of the various accessories of a well-equipped opera, wanting
in the presentation.

The opera chosen for these performances was Juliu