The Portland daily press., 1870-12-28
The English 0pera.

That the opera would be complete success
| as far as the managers and company could con
| tribute to that result we felt confident befor
the entertainment on Monday night was given
We must confess we had hoped to see the gal
1ery crowded at the price Of admission, es
pecially when so much has been said of late
about Singing in English," for we know that
although Portland is a small city her musica
people are numerous and fully as critical al
those in more pretentiouSplaces. But if the
gallery was thin, the floor of the house pre-
scented beautiful appearance, filed with re.
fined and cultivated audience, many of whom
were attired in fall opera costume-as under
stood in this country aud the rich silks, cost
ly valvets, white opera capes, flashing jewels,
and light hats trimmed with bright colors, set
off in the highest degree the stately and ma
tured charms of the matrons and the delicate
compilations and bright eyes of their fair
daughters-each "rulcherrinaa fila pulchro ma
iris and contrasted most favorably with the
sombre apparel of their attendant cavaliers
The opera of MARTHA" the most popular
andpleasing of Flotow's compositions, has been
given il this city by the La Grange troupe
only few years ago, and the plot is no doubt
so fresh in the minds of our readers that it is
unnecessary to repeat it here. While this
opera is externally brilliant it deals ir those
pleasing scenes of everyday life that are ia
mliar to all, and the listener is struck with
the easy and lively dramatic action, charm
ing melody and graceful instrumental
ton. 1t does not require highly
cultivated musical ear to appreciate its
many beauties and for that reason no doubt
it has always proved great favorite. The op.
era was given with an attention to detail that
refected the highest credit on the manage
ment and company, and the encomiums be-
stowod were most hearty. The applause
throughout was most spontaneous and fire.
quent-proving that Portland audience is
not cold when the promises held out to them
are fuldlled-at times rising to perfect ft-
rore. Both Mrs. Bernard and Mr., Castle
seemed to be suffering slightly from the
excessive cold weather of the past few days,
and we think it must have been on that
account that the gentleman bowed in response
to an encore of that delicious moroccan Man
pari tutt amor" although the effect of the
slight cold taken did not prevent his rendering
the charming air with fervor and power that
proved the excellence Of his voice and style.
Mrs. Bernard possesses a very thoroughly
with the most consummate skill displaying
great powers of execution, and her Last Rose
of Summer" although to our taste not possess
ing the charm given to it by Miss Kellogg or
Miss McCulloch, was nevertheless a most ad-
mirable performance and deservedly received
a hearty encore. Mrs. Seguin as "Nancy" was
the life of the opera, charming, piquant, full of
arch ways and cunning gestures. She pos
sesses very sweet contrato and should have
received an encore after her rendering of the
"Huntress fair" in the third act. Campbell.
like Castle, an old favorite here, was received
with enthusiasm and was obliged to repeat the
drinking song. Il seemed to US that his voice
was slightly affected and that the drinking
song was taken in rather slower time than we
have been accustomed to hear it. Mr.. Sesuin
as 'Sir Tristan" and Mr. Howell as the "Sher-
if" were both excellent and acted with great
spirit, displaying excellent abilities as comedi-
ans. The spinning WHEEL scene at the COM
mencement of act second between Lady Harri-
OoS ANouSy, AIOACi duu L luukcLt WAS d most
charming bit of acting The choruses were
exceedingly well given, especially the grand
finale of the third act, "Ah! may heaven grant
You pardon" which was presented by princ-
pals and chorus with fire and visor that
reused perfect storm of applause and COM
PEELED a repetition. The orchestra. composed
Of four violins, cello, double bass, two clario-
nets, flute, bassoon, horn, cornet, trombone and
1rums was very skilfulIy led by Mr.. Behreps,
Ind taken as whole we rarely hear an opera
under more favorable auspices in this country.
The performance of Balfe's charming opera
Of the Bohemian Girl" drew out we are
happy to say, larger attendance than on
Monday evening. 1t was rather sad, 10 con-
nection with the performance of this opera, to
that We had but few hours pre-
vious read the announcement of the death of
Miss Fannie Stockton, who assumed the char
acter Of Airline when the Bohemian Girl was
last brought out in Portland, and whose pleas
ing assumption of the character will bs recalled
by those who were present on that occasion.
We regret that our lack Of space this morning
compels US to give but slight notice of the
performance last night. Miss Hersee, who es-
sayed the role of airline, possesses very neat.
petite figure, very flexible voice, wanting,
however, in sympathetic quality (which was a
great defect also in Mr.. Bowler's tenor, but
this deficiency was in great measure supplied
by her excellent acting. Miss Goodwin pos
sesses quite a powerful organ, and was very
acceptable as the Gipsey Queen. seguin as
Devlshoof, Chatterson as Florestein, and Miss
Isaacson as Buda, added much by their excel
lent acting to the general rendering of the
opera. Campbell was grand as Count Arnheim,
and his rendering of The heart bowed down"
would make up for thousand deficiencies.
Ie was deserveIly encored. The choruses were
we'll given, particularly "In the gpsies' life
you may lead;" and the Instrumentation was
excellent. There seems one point that the
chorusses could be improved in. A screnade,
for instance, and particularly prayer, should
be sung pidnissimo. Tonight "Il Trovatore,"
and we trust the house will be crowded. In
our mention of the instruments that composed
the orchestra we said there were two claro-
nets; we should have said one was an oboe.
The management are to be thanked for keep
ing the main door closed during the perform.
ance. thus preventing a draft of cold air. We
should not forget to mention that Mr. Bowler
received most enthusiastic encore for his Wig
orous rendering of The fair land of Poland"
GoRHAM ITEMS. The members OF the Meth
odist E. Society of Gorham Village presented
their pastor, Rev. Mr.. Collins, with watch
as Christmas present also Rev. Mr.. Colby,
presiding elder, and wife were remembered by
presents, including a liberal sum of money.
The reformation in Mr.. Collins society contin.
ues with many new cow ersions The Cohgre-
gational Society had a pleasant gathering at
their vestry on Monday evening. John c.
Card, Esq. as usual passed the presents from
a we'll covered tree to the children.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT.-Yesterday afternoon as
Ne William Gum oainns ros ;d;.o o., Xo.lr 81