The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-29
The TrOubad0ur.

Martha is bright sparkling, and is a Musi.
cal comedy; the Bohemian Girl has quiet
b'auty OF its own, with a vein of sadness inter-
mingled, and an occasional display of melo
dramatic action; the "Troubadour," however,
Is tragic poem set to music that equires for a
proper Interpretation the employment of
artists of a high order and consequently EMIT
led, most seservedly, 10 rank as grand opera.
| The cast last evening introduced Mr.. Henri
Drayton for the first time this season-and it
was also the occasion of his debut before a
Portland audience-in the part of the Count di
Luna; the others characters were assumed by
Mrs. Barnard as Lsonora, Mrs. Seguin as Az
ucena, Mr.. Castle as Manrico, Mr. Howell as
Fernando and Mr.. Chiesa as Ruiz. The opera
was given with an artistic finish and an atten-
ton to climaxes on the part of principals and
choruses that was highly to be praised. II
would be impossible to go over the perform
ance in detail and We can only generalize.-
Mrs Barnard's 'Leonora" was not only fine
piece of acting, but displayed the best qualities
OF her voice, especially its executive abilities in
| the 6TdUurd passages of the aria "Of Love like
thine, and the concluding trio with Manrico
and the Count at the end OF the first act, while
in the aria, in the Dark Hour she had an
opportunity to exbibi: some very pleasing notes
and in tn, fourth act great dramatic power
What shall we say of Mrs. Seguin's "Azuce-
na?' 1t was most magnificent piece of act
ing, full OF fire and intensity, and one could
hardly realize that the salow repulsve gipsey
was the bright, arch, piquant "Nancy" of Mon
day night. Her rendering of the character re-
minded us of Adde Phillips best days, and
the music was given with power we hardly
gave her credit for. We would particularly
mention her "Stride Ia Vanapa'' at the begin.
ming of the second ac:, and the nal Duet
Come from the Mountains" with Maurico at
the close of the fourth act was exqusitely sung.
Castle was in superb voice and the si.very tones
of his beautiful tenor were displayed to the |
best advantage while he threw his soul into his
acting. He gave the sd Quelia pira" at the |
close OF the third act as we'll as we ever heard |
it sung, taken as whole, while the solo in the |
same act and the celebrated prison song or |
"Miserere," the fourth act were delicious, |
and the latter with the accompanying Duet |
and chorus was rapturously encored. Mr.. |
Drayton possesses good baritone voice which |
be manages extremely we'll, especially in hose
places where time has told upon it. He gave
the I'll Baien" very leasingly and the duett
with Leouora in the fourth act with vigor. The
other artists added by their acting and singing
to the general excellent effect while the chorus
was better than usual, and in the "Now let the |
Trumpet were especially deserving of men
tiou. Amsng all the scenes, where all we're so
good, the celebrated Mise:ere scene naturally
and deseIvedly created the greatest enthusi-
asp, and the whole OF the last act was execut.
ed as we'll as we ever heard it, and better than
BY most italian companies.
The opera was spendIdy costumed and acted
and we think none will dispute the thats.Trou
badoul" has been the great success of the sea- !
son. To the orchestra a word Of praise must |
be given for their excellent accompaniment
under the skiltul baton of Mr.. Behrens We |
hope that but short time will elapse before
we shall again see the company in Portland
and part from them now with reg. let. Tonight
they appear ia Lowell. The artists were
called before the curtain at the close OF the last
act
PORTLAND, RUTLAND, OswEao & CHICAGO
RAILWAY Co.-The Directors of the P. r. O.
& G. Railway Company, met at Portland on
the 18th inst, and organized by tue choice OF
John A. Poor as President, and John Neal as
Clerk and Treasurer.
The location of the line by way of Buxton
Centre, Moderation, and Cornish, to the line of
New Hampshire, in Freedom, was adopted, the
surveys for which have just been completed.
Plans and surveys of the line across the
States of New Hampshire, Vermont, and New
York to Oswego, were presented, and necessary
m pc od tO uorI q a l
location, and other measures agreed on to en-.
sure the carrying forward of the line
The members present were Messrs McEch-
ron of New York, Cain of Vermont, Judge
Fowler of N. H., and Messrs. Poor, Rice, and
Lane of Maine, with other parties interested
from out the State.
Mcssrs. McEchron and Lapham of Glen's
Falls, presented plans of the elaborate survey
from Fort Ann to the summit near Piseco Lake,
a distance of seventy-elght miles, showing no
grades exceeding thirty-fve feet to the mile,
going east and none exceeding sixty feet to
the mile, going west. We have no space to-
day for further details.
NEW YEARS DAY.-It has seemed to be the
correct thing every year to write up the good
old custom of New Years calls, and to state
that "We understand the ladies will generally
receive, and that the gentlemen will devote the
day to paying visits" A good many haze re-
ceived, and good many made calls in past
years; but for the last two or three seasons, the
custom has fallen into disuse. The proper way
is to suspend business as in Washington, New
York, Providence, and other large cities, and
then make the calling general. Not only do
The wealthy and fashionable devote the day to
the practice, as in the large cities, but all
classes take the opportunity 10 wish each other
".Happy New Year." An old established
ard prominent merchant of this city. bas sug-
gested to us that all those families who intend
to receive their friends, should hand in their
names the Friday previous to the press of the
city, as is customary in Washington, and then
cut out of their visiting list those of their gen.
tlemen friends who fail to call, unless a good
reason can be given for the omission. We
give the suggestion and it can be acted upon or
not. The retail dry goods stores, With few excep-
tions, will be closed on Monday, to give the
clerks holiday.
A. AND N. 1.-THE sixth entertainment be-
fore the Portland Army and Navy Union con.
sists of lecture this evening by Rev. W. H.
ii. Murray of Boston, entitled ''Among the
Adirondacks" The notoriety this gentleman
has obtained through his book, on the same
subiact,-which was probably perused by as
wide circle of readers in this country as I'm.
Gle Toms Cabin, and which opened new 10.
cality to summer travel that many, it is said,
regretted they ever visited-will create a
great desire on the part of our citizens to hear
him to night. OF one thing all may be assnr.
ed and that is they will be intensely interested,
for Mr.. Murray is charming writer as we'll as
most agreeable speaker. Secure your tickets
during the day. The Portland Band will play
as usual the halt hour previous to the COM
menceme ut of the lecture.
PORTLAND THEATRE. - To night the Ada |
Tesman female minstrel and olio troupe open
for one night at Portland Theatre. The COM
pany embraces Miss Wells, vocalist and Jig
dancer. Mile De Vannier, knife thrower and
iuggler, the Misses Graham, Walby, Zelverton,
Stevens aud Somes, vocalists and dancers;
Mss Cotton and Miss Foster, eccentrics, Jas
Roome. negro comedian, and Mike Foley, tam
borinist Miss Mile Touraine appears on the
trapeze; Miss les man sings, and programme
Of variety performance is laid cut that would
be cheap at dollar. There will be crowded
-salx.