The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-30

Panza; but they have failed to transfer to the
stage the wit, the irony, the humor OF Ger.
vantes, who is never commonplace and vulgar.
Ben de Bars 'Falstaff'' pleases Nym Grin
kle who saw it in Brooklyn; iusomuch SO that
he considers it better than Hackett's easy
dignity and unconscious courtliness'' are among
its characteristics; it is not so deep as Hack
ett's, but more natural. And, as for unctuous-
ness-'Ihe sweet greasiness of his humor is
beyond compare. His words are like bubbles
of hot tallow. His rubicund face breaks into
ripples OF oeaginous laughter continually, The
phases OF bewilderment, annoyance, reckless
ness and drollery shown in his visual express
sion when he is convicted, in the second act. of
1alsehood, are marvellously dlstlnct and eHec-
tive. So, too, his repentance in the third act is
the very acme of jolly hypocrisy and clustering
perplexity."
The musical ear is real thing The Lon
don Musical World says so 10 long article,
from which we quote few sentences: Small
ears are invariably under great disadvantage.
Large ears are usually indicative of more
comprehensive taste. A narrow harp or harp
like opening always denotes good ear for
music. If the harp is very regular you may
safely prognosticate correct information. For
singer, the rim must be veH even and the
rim of the ear will occasion slight discrep-
aDcy of intonation-the singer will not be at all
times alike. Some have double harp; this is
dangerous to the success Of the singer. A per-
feet double rim is. on the other hand. highly
advantageous. This is, however, open to the
weakness of easily being satisfied with sweet
sounds of any kind, The ear without rim is
the most dainty and difficult to please. 1t
appears to receive almost as it were by selec-
ton only the best sounds; ordinary sounds
have no attraction for it,
Nine. Arabella. Goddard, returning to Eng
land from four years tour around the world,
has her position as a pianist resettled by the
London critics, who during that time have
been listening to Rubinstein, Won Bulow and
Mme Essipof. The verdict contradicts the
opinion of nearly all the American press. Mr.
Front in the Academy says one listens to Nine.
Goddard with the same feeling of delighted
establishment as would be excited by wonder
ful piece of machinery. Bence she is most
successful in music In which the mechanical
predominates over the aesthetic" He speaks
with disapproval of her interpretations of Bee
thoven and Chopin. Of course she has credit
for perfect correctness and skill, and claim to
gratitude for the revival of undeservedly neg
lected works of old masters. The Atbenaum
says: THAT the mechanical facility, unerring
exactitude, and refinement aud delicacy of
touch eyInced by Nine. Arabel2 Goddard Will
always command admiration there can be no
doubt, but she has not the fen sacre necessary
to enlever an auditory, as the French would
say"
Verdi thus describes the fashion in which he
composes: 81 first study thoroughly the char
acters of the dramatis persona. Then COM
NIT the libretto to memory, and grding my
self for the task, work away for eight or mine
months, or more if necessary until the opera is
completed. Meanwhile only live in my i'm
agination: hence my irritablity, ill-humor and
incivility; for though am a bear by nature, at
such times become more of bear than ever"
Verdi rarely attends the theatre. especially
the opera 1t is said that he never witnessed
the representation of his 'Ballo in Maschera'
until ten years after its first appearance upon
the stage. A man of cul ture, he is a connois-
seur in art, is thoroughly versed in Italian,
French and Spanish literature and is familiar
with the best German and English authors
He has frequent recourse to the original source
of his inspiration, the Bible. Though he styles
himself bear, and often alludes with spice
of pleasantly to his peasant birth, he is couIte-
GUS though simple in his manners, easy and
fluent in his conversation, and personally a
great favorite among his most intimate friends.
A Senator of the Kingdom, he betrays no am
bition to skine as a parliamentary leader"
Thus writes a contributor to Harper