The Portland daily press., 1879-11-06
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
PAUL AND VIRGINIA.

Last evening City Hall was about three
quarters filled with an audience fashionable
and musical, gathered to listen to the Emma
Abbott Opera Company in Masses new opera,
Paul and Virginia.
We have already given to our readers the
plot of the work-the old story by Bernardin
de st. Pierre-and an analysis of the principal
music, but it was reserved for last night to
afford us the pleasure of hearing the opera
with all the accessories; that is all that have
been heard in this country. The orchestration
afforded is not Masses. 1t is by Operti and
arranged from the piano-forte score. Otherwise
we believe the work is given as written.
We must confess to q slight feeling of dis
appointment in some respects, as regards a
first hearing. We had been led to expect grand
harmonies and most pathetic melodies. The
composer had taken one of the most touching
stories known, on which to weave his themes,
but he seems to have followed too much in the
footsteps of others instead of displaying
originality. He has good idea of effects and
perhaps this was best shown in the odd Bam-
boula dance, with the accompanying song OF
the slaves, interspersed with the cries of Meala
and the angry interjections of St. CroiX
Where the composers own ideas had sway we
get several good things, noticeably the odd
negro chorus that follows the plaintive song OF
act. The recitatons are almost all spoken,
instead of sung-as is the case with most
English operaS-but we should think they
would be made more effective In music. Inc
concerted music all through is line and the
solos pertaining to Meala the slave, are either
the best in the work or else, from their wild
form and barbarian melody appear so. The
two principal compositions, OF which SO much
has been said, the duet "The air that we
breathe" and the bird Song did not come
up to expectation.
1t may be that the music was little too
much for some of the principal singers, and
therefore we did not hear Masse at his best,
and again, it may be, that if we should hear
the opera under other circumstances with the
original orchestration, and great singers, we
might find new beauties and strength, as when
the Ideal Opera Company showed what Pima
fore really was. The opera is good but not
great and is of the kind that takes the public
Miss Emma Abbott, who was heard here Tor
the first time, has thin, light soprano, whose
high notes are evidently the best part of it..
We do not like her method. There is lack OF
fexibility of voice, and she cannot trill. The
Bird Song' with its wealth of difficulties
failed of such treatment as it should have had.
And yet it pleased the audience who demanded
an encore. There were times when the lady
was heard to good advantage and that was IN
the concerted music, when her voice dls-
played considerable pathos and tenderness
and the high notes gave good effect. She was
earnest in her acting, and magnetic, and she
evidently took with many of the audience. 1t
is pleasure to watch her face because 1t ex-
presses her varying moods so well, lighting up
with joy, sorrowful in sadness.
We have never heard Mr.. Karl sing better
than last night. He sang in tune and acted
well. Mrs. Seguin sang the music of Meala
splendidly and acted with true dramatic lire:
The chorus was excellent and rendered "See!
Ship about as well as anything that has
been done here for years. The orchestra;
composed of seven musicians of Boston and
ten of Chambers Band, under the leadership
of Mr.. Dietrich, did better than could be ex-
pected under the circumstances
Tonight the Normandy Chimes bright,
sparkling OPERA will be given with Miss Stone
as Mignonette and Mr.. Castle as Robin.
KERRY Cow.
Kerry Cow was produced al Portland Thea
tire for the third and last time last evening, to
q fair and appreciative audience. 1t seems
pity that such fine drama in which each ac-
tor is host in himself and which aboundS in
such striking situations, can not be more liber-
ally patronized. Mr. Murphy last evening was
in his element. The audience called him re-
peatedly before the curtain, and lavished ap-
plause upon the superb acting.
JOE JEFFERSON.
On Saturday afternoon and evening Mr.
Joseph Jefferson will favor US with his great
creation, Rip Van Winklel at City Hall. 1t is
unnecessary for us to dwell further upon the
merits of the performance, for Mr.. Jefferson
has several times appeared in Portland in the
character and always with immense success.
The tickets are ready at Stockbridge's, and
have already met with an excellent advance
SALE
THE PLEIApES.
Helen Potter's "Pleiades" should fill City
Hall next Monday night. They will prove
one of the most attractive of the winter en-
tertainments. The tickets can be secured at
Stockbridge's.
NOTES.
Scanlon and Cronin have cancelled their
dates at Portland Theater.