bably thirty voices, male and
female, was a feature; and their singing is really
unsurpassed by the finest chorus in the best companies."

From "The Philadelphia Evening Star," Feb. 22, 1873:--

"COLORED AMERICAN OPERA-COMPANY.

"This company made its first appearance last evening at
Horticultural Hall to an audience, which, though not large,
was attentive and sympathetic. The attendance would, no
doubt, have been larger, but for an unfortunate mistake....
As it was, the performance was an agreeable surprise to all
who were present; not only being a decided success, but in
the matter of choruses surpassing any performances of the
same opera ever given in this city by any of the foreign or
'grand English' opera-troupes.[16] The cast of the colored
troupe included Mrs. Smallwood, who has a beautiful ringing
soprano-voice, a very easy lyric and dramatic method, and a
carriage of unusual grace; Miss Lena Miller, whose voice,
though less powerful, is very pleasant, and whose acting was
notable for its unaffected style; Miss M.A.C. Coakley, a
mezzo-soprano of very fair capacities; Mr. H.F. Grant, whose
tenor-voice has good power, range, and quality; Mr. T.H.
Williams, who possesses a deep bass-voice, controlled with a
fair degree of culture; and Messrs. W.T. Benjamin and
Smallwood, who filled their parts not unacceptably."

[Footnote 16: The same opera was performed here a few days before with
the following cast: Miss Howson, Mrs. Seguin, and Miss Phillips, and
Messrs. Seguin and Chatterson.]

From "The Age," Philadelphia, Feb. 22, 1873:--

"The colored opera-troupe gave their first performance in
Philadelphia last night in Horticultural Hall. The selection
for their _debut_ was 'The Doctor of Alcantara,' by Julius
Eichberg, which has frequently been given previously by
various English companies, but, we venture to say, never so
perfectly in its _ensemble_ as by this company.

"There was a great deal of enthusiasm; and several numbers
of the opera were vociferously re-demanded, including the
_finale_ of the first act, which revealed to us a choral
effect which has never been heard upon the operatic stage in
our country since the palmy days of Ullman's management. The
chorus was large and efficient, every member doing his and
her part; and, to a