The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-09-25
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE IDEAL PINAFORE.

THE IDEAL PINAFORE.
Portland has been favored with several
Pinafore companies but it was reserved for the
Ideal to show what Pinafore really is. We
must confess to a slight feeling of disappoint-
ment at the beginning of the opera, because
we had set our ideal at point which we had
imagined would be reached all at once; dis
appointment we deserved as it was our bust
ness to know that artistically a climax must
be gradually worked up and not sprung on the
nearer all at once, and that we should wait
until the opera was concluded and then pass
judgment on it as whole
In the first place, viewed dispassionately,
the principal voices brought together were
remarkable. 1t was happy idea that gather
ed a sweet, powerful soprano like Miss Beebe's,
grand contralto like Miss Phillips, such a
bass as Mr.. Whitney's, a tenor so sweet and
strong as Fessenden's,o r bass like Barnabee's,
in one musical organization. When all the
minor parts were next filed out with superior
voices, and large chorus provided and drilled
with a care and attention rarely shown any,
where, the nearest perfection that can be
hoped was attained.
From the beginning of the opera to the
close the attention and interest Of the hearer
was caught and held, frequently breaking out
into the heartiest encores A new interpreta-
ton was given to many of the numbers by the
excellence of the voices that rendered them.
"He goes to dungeon cell'' was magnificent
ly shaded. "Tell me not the why's and where
fores" was a revelation. Captain Corcoran' s
music was never heard here before last night
and Mr. Whitneys Serenade was imperatively
re-demanded. Miss Phillips as Little Butter
cup adorned her music with numberless little
trills and other embellishments, and played
with mock melo-dramatic fire and spirit that
displayed the thorough actress. Miss Beebe,
Josephine, displayed beautiful, sweet, strong
soprano and was greeted with an encore for
her solo ga Simple Sailor" 1t israrely that
the beautiful songs written for Josephine and
Ralph receive such treatment as at the hands
of Miss Beebe and Mr. Fessenden, and surely
better Ralph has never been seen. Barnabee
was a very good Sir Joseph, and while he sang
the music finely he could not confne himself
to the lofty and unapproachable manner
which makes the character, but was compelled
to introduce several little bits of by-play that
were however very laughable. The bit of
business where he commences ''insolent dew"
and the company strike an attitude, was good
and new here. Mr.. rockingham was an eX-
celent Dick Deadeye, and Mr.. Kaemmerlee
capital Boatswain. Miss Cayvan was fair
Hebe, but we have had better. AS we have
said the choruses were admirable. The
orchestra, led by Mr.. Studley, accompanied
with effect. OF course the hall was packed to
repletion.
JOHN A. STEVENS.
Tonight Mr.. John A. Stevens will re-appear
in his popular play of 'fThe Unknown" at
Portland Theatre, supported by Miss Lottie
Church, William A. Bailey, A. H. Stuart,
Walter Joyce, Ada Joyce, George F. Ketchum.
R. Delmore and others. This company is a
strong one There is good demand for seats.