The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-09-22
Frlaay Morning, ssptembsr "a, 1895.
,RTLANp .AND KrcIN1rY.

OpERA-Faust--Thi evening viii be the
last one of the Italian Opera in our city the
present season, on which occasion Faust viii
brought out with such a cast as has not before
been witnessed here. Mile Canissa as Marg-
herita, Madame Patti Strakosch as Siebel. Sic.
Tamaro as Faust Sig Susini as AIephistbpheles,
Sig. Mancusi as Valentin, Sig. LucatelH as
Wagner, and full chorus by students. citizens
and soldiers, with increased orchestra and the
Band ofthe 18th U. S. Regiment for the grand
chorus, forming such an attraction that we ex-
pect to see the hall crowded to its very limits.
Inc argument ofthe opera is as follows:
Faust, German student, after a life ofmed-
itatlon and laborious research, becomes dis
gusted with the nothingness of human knowl-
edge, and his own inability to unraVel the
mystic arcana of nature. He summons to his
aid tue Spirit OF Evil, who appears to him I'M
Ger the form of Mephistopheles. Through the
supernatural power of the latter, Faust Is
stIalghtway restored to youth with all its pas
sions and Illusions, and is at the same time en-
lowed with personal beauty and luxurious
garb. Mephisbopheles, as In vision, reveals
10 him the beautious village maid Margaret.
with whom the student falls instantaneously
in love. He longs to become acquainted with
Margaret, equally noted for her loveliness and
her virtue, has been left by her solder-brother.
Valentine, under the care of Dame Martha. a
worthy but not very vigilant parsonage. The
maiden at first rejects the stran gers advances,
but Faust, aided by the demoniacal influence
Of Mephistopheles lwno is anxious to DESTROY
another human SOUL, urges his suit with such
ardor that MaE5aret's resistance is at length
overcome. Valentine, Margaret's brother. on
returning with his comrades from the wars.
learns what has occurred: he challenges hi.
sisters seducer, but, through the Intervention
OF Mephistopheles, he Is slain in the encounter.
Margaret, horror-stricken at the calamity OF
which she is the original cause, gives way to
despair. Her reason becomes affected, and, in
paroxysm of frenzy, she kills her infant. For
this she Is thrown into prison. Faust, aided
by Mephistopheies, obtains access to the cell
In w4licn she Is immured. They both eagerly
urys her to fly, but Margaret, in whom holier
feelings have CAMEL the ascendant, spurns
their profered aid, and places her sole reliance
IA prayer and repentance. Overcome at last
% sorrow and renorse, with an earnest prayer
Tor forgiveness on her lips, the unhappy girl
ex oires. Mephistopheles triumphs at the ca
tlstcophe he has brought about, but a chorus
of heavenly voices Is heard, proclaiming that
there Is pardon for the repentant sinner, and
the evil one, 9oiled and overcome, crouches
suppliantly as the sccents Of divine love and
for dveness make themselves heard, while the
spirit OF Margaret, borne by ministering an
gels, Is waited upwards to eternal home.
We advise those VINO Intend to witness this
brilliant opera, to secure seats in season tc-
day. As it is the last opportunity our citizens
will have Of listening to Italian opera this
year, the chance must be improved. 1t win
be long time before We shall have such atal-.
entei troupe of artists in this city again, and
we must make the most of their presence now.
s. In consequence of indisposition of Madame
Patti, the Director was obliged to change the
opera last evening and substitute BeIlini's
grand opera of Norma, which was presented
entire, with great acceptance to the large and
fashionable audience assembled Nine. Ghioni
as Norma, Mile Canissa as Adalgsa, and Sig
nor Macaferri as Poione, the P-oconsul Of
Rome, received unbounded applause in the
performances Of their respective roles. The
duetby Norma and Adalgisa was 50 rapturous-
ly applauded that it was repeated. The whole
Of the performance was of the highest order
and the audience was perfectly satisfied. asse
Madame Patti Strakosch win be able to ap.
pear this evening in Faust, and the opera will
be presented with cast of unparalleled
strs 9Th.
r.S.-It was suggested last evening by low
ers of opera, whether the company couldnot
be Induced to remain over Saturday and give
II Trovatore on that evening, there being
general desire to hear that opera. We UNDER
stand that arrangements have beer made for
thu enunnonxy ~ loo no for O,,oIoo ~, Ca+,,.3.,-
and that by remaining ever heavy extra ex-
ira expense would be incurred. Still, If our
citizens desire it, and will come forward to-day
and subscribe Literally for tickets for Saturday
evening, the company may be induced to re-
main and perform II Troyatore on that even
inr 'g