The Portland daily press., 1879-12-13
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
PGCAHQNTAS.

PoCAHoNTAs.
&c Wasn't it nice!' "Delightful!" aren't
they awful cunning.' Such were a few of the
expressions of the audience as the brilliant and
fashionable throng of our best known citizens
emerged from Portland Theatre last evening
after witnessing the Liliputians in their charm
ing Qperatic extravaganza OF "Pocahontas."
When the little folks visited this city before
and produced Jack the Giant Killer every
body thought the entertainment one of the
most pleasing they had ever witnessed, but
'Pocahontas' leaves "Jack'' far in the shade,
good as that was. The lady who has arranged
the present operetta for the Liliputians has
preserved all the excellent features that mark
ed Mr.. Brougham's production, and has added
much that is bright and witty of her own and
capital satire on some of the political doings
OF our own times, while the music is all pleas
ing and well sung by tine little people. The
extravaganza is very prettily mounted and APP
propriately and richly costumed; i'll fact the
different performers furnish their own dresses,
and consequently have an opportunity to dis
play their individual tastes.
The plot of the opera is the old story OF 20
cahontas and Capt John Smith, except that
one Mynheer Rolfe, instead of carrying off the
lovely maiden, is compelled to take back
seat Off course Admiral Dot has splendid
opportunity afforded him to display his admir-
able powers as singer and actor in Capt. John
Smith. Miss Quigley is as splendid and charm
ing as ever in Pocahontas. She sang "Scenes
that are Brightest with fine effect, and the
duet, "The Indian Maiden," as sung by this
talented couple in the second act, was vehem-
emily encored. Little Colonel Speck, one of
the new corners, is very quaint and comical as
Mynheer Rofe, and he also received deserv-
ed encore for one of his songs, "Nobodys
Darling" Miss Bolton is an excellent school
MISTRESS Miss Myers, another of the strangers,
is very pretty girl. Col Orr, the giant, is
well fitted for Powhatan, and the other charac-
tiers are well taken by Gen. Totman, Prince
Louis, Major Davis, Col. Steere, Misses Mey-
ers and Rose The marches and concerted
music were all rendered with great precision,
and the scenic effects were excellent. After
the operetta the company appeared IN thelr
specialties, convulsing the house with laughter
and eliciting the heartiest and loudest ap-
plause.
This afternoon the matinee will commence
at $50, and the house should and will be
crowded. Tonight the last performance will
be given.
The Brooklyn Apollo Club gave its first con-
cert for tho season Tuesday night. The most
important number was new composition OF
Mr.. Bucks "The Nun of Nidaros." the words
being from Longfelow's ''Saga of King Olaf"
It is for tenor solo and four-part male chorus,
with accompaniment for piano obligato and
reed organ ad libitum, the organ, however,
adding so much to the beauty OF the piece that
it would be a great pity ever to dispense with
it, The musical idea upon which this fine
composition is based is very simple, and there
| is simple but striking rhythmic device which
consists in accounting the measures lin A time)
| alternately ON the first and on the second beat.
| The Tribune says there is not q hackneyed
| passage from the beginning to the end, and we
are called upon at every line to admire. some
| novel turn of phrase, some ingenious variation
| of the recurring themes, some fresh figure in
| the rich accompaniment, or happy thought in
| the harmony. Although it is somewhat long
| for the poem consists of eleven sx-line STAN
zas-the audience insisted upon q repetition.
| The performances in aid of the Catholic Or
| phan Asylum given at the Academy OF Music
| yesterday employed the generous and valuable
services of Edwin Booth, Clara Morris, Charles
| Thorne, jr., j. X. Emmett, Majeroni, Gustavus
Levick and many others.
"Estelle or the False and True" a. e. Lam
casters new play, was brought out at Wal
lacks Wednesday night. Its plot and charac-
| tiers are not novel, but the play was successful
and the acting very fine. The scenic effects
| were superb
| The sale of seats for the California Minstrel
| performances will commence at Music Hall
this morning.
The Deering Pinafore organization gave an
| other excellent representation OF the opera last
night.