The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-03
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
PINAFORE.


Last evening the Portland English Opera
Company, an organization composed of young
ladies and gentlemen of this city, made their
first appearance ON the boards of Portland
Theatre in Pinafore, to good-sized and very
appreciative audience. The orchestra was
composed of seven pieces of Chambers Band,
and Miss Greeley, who officiated as pianist,
under the able direction of Mr.. G. Walter
Goold. The opera was put upon the stage in
good shape, and the costumes, by Littlefield,
were correct, and in some instances very hand
some
The opera received excellent treatment at
the hands of all. When it is taken into con-
sideration that principals and chorus were all
amateurs, the length of time the music had
been under rehearsal. the natural nervousness
that some must necessarily exhibit, the per-
Torrance was admirable, and was given with
smoothness hardly to be expected. The voices
of the chorus were fresh and strong, and they
worked up their climaxes with none of those
breaks which generally mark an amateur eff
fort There was less of that stiffness in the
acting usually seen on such occasions, and
some of the acting was superior.
Mr.. Frank Parker, as Josephine, was i'm
mense. He was the life of the opera. The au-
dence applauded him to the echo, and despite
the temptation to burlesque, he assumed that
and tenderness that were worthy of all praise.
He sang the music of the part in high So
prano, with finish, and a delicacy of senei-
ment that many female soprani would have
been unable to display. Miss Fowler, as Little
Buttercup, not only sang with spirit and acted
with understanding, but she showed herself
the possessor of a very sweet voice. Miss Inez
Hopkins was pretty, piquant Hebe Mr..
Ilsley Noyes assumed the part of Sir Joseph
with dignity and grace that exhibited full
iotin Of hn oh otar Mr. aui c
Smith was a capital Captain Coreoran, and
sang his serenade so we'll that the audience
insisted ON an encore. Mr.. Edwards displayed
a sweet tenor voice as Ralph. and entered fully
into the situations with the fair Josephine:
Mr.. Pingree made good Dick Deadeye, and
Messrs. Jackson and Burnham each deserve
praise as the Boatswain and Boatswain's Mate.
The SISTERS, cousins and aunts" were pretty
and arch, and the sailors were lazy and natu-
raj. The orchestra accompanied eXcellently.
We hope that crowded houses will greet the
performances this afternoon and evening
When our own people present so good thing
so we'll they should be literally patronized.
FATINITzA.
Friday night the Ideal Opera Company of
Boston, who created such success at City
Hall early in the fall, will again appear at the
same place, this time in Suppe's bright, spark
ling opera of Fatinitza. The tickets are sell
ing like hot cakes and crowded house may
be anticipated The Pinafore matinee, on
Saturday, will be crowded.
G. A. R.
The fourth entertainment in the Grand Army
course will be concert by the Weber Quar-
tette of Boston, Thursday evening at City Hail.
Mrs. Jennie P. Walker will be the vocalist
and it it said of her that she is a young singer
possessed of remarkably sweet sympathetic
soprano voice.
HIGH STREET CHURCH CONCERT.
There will doubtless be large audience in
attendance at High street church, Thursday
night, not only to see the decoration but also to
hear the excellont music that will be provided.
NOTES.
Shaw's Quartette gave a fine concert at
Browns Hill church, Ligonia, last evening.