2-798-558 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene from Balfe's new opera of "The Daughter of St. Mark", at Drury Lane Theatre, 1844. London stage production, showing '...the first scene of the second act of Mr. Balfe's already popular opera...The scene is the oratory of Catarina, with a vaulted stone roof: it is divided into two compartments; in the inner one is a large centre window, opening on a balcony, and looking over the Grand Canal, with a moonlight view of Venice. A lamp suspended from the ceiling throws a dim light over the room, and the scenic effect is altogether remarkably successful. The action is at the close of the scene, at the moment that the curtain of a secret chamber on the left is undrawn, and the Assassins enter, preceded by Moncenigo...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V.