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132
ANNALS OF THE
indeed an attractive and most effective combination. A
glance at some of the names cannot fail to prove interest-
ing. Mons. Roger had only just started as an Italian
vocalist, having been for years
the first and favourite
tenor at the Grand Opera (French) in Paris. After a successful
career he returned to the French Opera, where he
continued to a recent date, delighting his audiences by
his pure style of vocalism and excellent acting. Belletti
was a highly-finished artiste, and has long since left the
stage. Frederick Lablache (son of The Lablache), is now
a professor of the London Academy of Music by-the-
way, an Irish pupil of his, Miss Landore, has made several
most successful appearances in Dublin. Mdlle. Payne,
first soprano in the chorus, became the wife of Mr. Aynsley
Cook, the favourite vocalist, a most careful student and
painstaking artist. Mr. Cook has succeeded in making
several parts " his own "
Devilshoof amongst the rest.
Mrs. Aynsley Cook was soon emancipated from chorus-singing,
and became a valuable second soprano, and was the
original in Wallace's Opera of " Lurline." In addition to
her musical and dramatic capabilities, Mrs. Cook is an
accomplished danseusc, and so thoroughly versed in the
Terpsichorean art, as to materially assist in the production
of the incidental ballets. That Mrs. Cook and " Old
Aynsley," as he is affectionately entitled, may have along
and prosperous career, is the wish of all their professional
brethren and
" "
sistern ! Mons. Nadaud was the
favourite leader of the ballet, in which department he was
without a rival. The ballet at this period formed as great
an attraction as the Opera. Indeed, with some, it was