The Portland daily press., 1875-09-29
THE CANTATA OF BELsHAzzAR
A Fine Musical Entertain

large audience will undoubtedly be present
at the performance of Belshazzar this evening,
to evince their appreciation of Mr.. Stock
BRIDGES enterprise, and the interesting, ex
ceient and novel entertainment that he offers
them. The compositon-the details of which
will be more fully described in the notice of
the performance Of this evenirg-presents
many points of interest. 1t does not aspire to
the rank OF an oratorio, either in design or
elaboration; the music is comparatively light
and contains no special technical difficulties,
no fugue passages or intricate Counterpart;
and will be readily enjoyed and appreciated.
The ibretto has been compiled with much
care and compared with historical records in
order to render it as faithful to the Bible mar
ratve as possible. 1t is very dramatic and its
scenes and characters afford scope for much
variety and vigor of treatment of which the
composer has well availed himself. The airs
allotted to the various drdmatis persong are
pleasing and expressive, some of them quite
above the average; the choruses are spirited,
and the orchestral accompaniment often ex
ceedingly we'll scored; while the general tessi-
tara of the work is such as to adapt it to the
render it popular without being trivial.
The representation of Belshdzzar has, too,
another significance for the musical advance
ment of Portland. Repeated experiments
have proved that Italian Opera stands at best
upon very insecure footing in America. The
great lyric artists, who from time to time visit
us, carry away with them q good share of our
currency; but the great expenses attending the
removal of an opera troupe from city to city.
the chorus and minor artists that are procurable
only in the largest cities; and the consequent
costliness Of tickets that precludes many genu-
inc music-lovers from attending the perform
ances. naturally render the opera in America
luxury supported by the few. If we are to be
musical nation, we must learn to depend up.
on ourselves, importing occasionally artists to
add TO our own singers who form the basis of
the stock companies. Recognizing this fact as
he does, there is very good reason to hope that
if Mr.. Stoekbridge's enterprise receives the
cordial support that it merits, he will-retain'
ing the excellent solosts and chorus that appear
in Belshazzar-present operas from time to
time, His musical knowledge and taste will
guarantee good selections and performance; and
Portland audiences may hope to hear operas of
Cimarosa and Mozart, as we'll as those more
modern, performed by resident artists.
The costumes and accessories of Belshdzzar
have been designed carefully. and the scenic
effects are impressive. The cantata, in brief,
presents faithful and lively picture of the
times and scenes that it delneates; and while
treated with the eafnestness proper to its Bibli-
cal subject, is essentially popular in its variety
of effective and pleasing composition. 1t is
unnecessary to bespeak for the cantata large
and interested audience. and for Mr.. Stock
bridge and the composer Mr.. Butte tfeld-who
has himself superintendent the final rehearsals
cordial and appreciatve support for their
successful efforts to present a refined and
unique entertainment.