"THE COLOURED OPERA TROUPE. - These sable artists gave a concert at the Royal Public Rooms, on Monday and Tuesday evenings, and dicoursed music which, if not classical was exceedingly pleasant.
"The troupe consisted of four ladies and a gentleman. The former numbering an excellent soprano and contralto voice, and the latter possessing a pleasing tenor, which with the accompaniment of a banjo, harmonium, bones and triangle, and a judicious programme produced an entertainment that gave general satisfaction."
The all too short column in The Western Times of 5th May 1860 reports this very early, touring foursome's visit to Exeter. It was using the same name as a much larger 'groupe' based in London from 1857.
Their coming here demonstrates considerable initiative on the part of some impressario or other and, it seems to me, it must have been quite a risky venture. The comments of The Times', known for being acerbic most of the time, are as generous as they could and should be: excellent - pleasing - a judicious programme from three ladies and one gentleman - and no insensitive jokes, although neither the name of the troupe nor the adjective sable would pass muster these days.
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