"Miss Lena Miller, who sang the _role_ of 'Isabella,' is young and graceful, with a pleasing voice; and her part was well given. Mrs. A.G. Smallwood was cast as 'Donna Lucrezia,' and had considerable to do. She sings well, and her acting far exceeds that of any other member of the company. 'Inez,' a maid represented by Miss Coakley, and a difficult part, was given with great accuracy. 'Carlos,' by Mr. H.F. Grant, was fairly rendered.... W.T. Benjamin as 'Dr. Paracelsus,' although a little stiff, fairly performed his part. "The chorus, composed of probably 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.