The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-05
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

is met by rough old general, Count Ilmofey
Kantchukoff who falls violently in love with
him. Vladimir eXtricateS himself from this
dilemma, and afterwards, in Odessa, meets the
generals neice, the Princess Lydia lmanovna,
whom he knows only as Lydia; and the two
form romantic attachment. Hearing of this,
the old general has the young officer trans
ferred to the outposts of the Russian army on
the Danube.
The piece opens with scene in camp before
RuStchuk After some characteristic military
scenes, during which Vladimir tells the story
of his love for Lydia, an American newspaper
special correspondent, Julian Hardy, the good
genius of about everybody in the piece, is
brought on by the Cossacks as spy, but is rec
ognized by Vladimir as an old friend To re-
lieve the ennui of camp life, he proposes that
they have some private theatricals-a sugges-
gestion which is hailed with delight Vladi-
mir agrees to play the leading lady," and,
while all the company has retired to dress for
the rehearsal, Gen. Kantchukoff arrives unex-
pectedly. He pounces upon Julian, who es-
capes by showing his passports, and quite gets
the better of the old general by his profession
al impudence. Vladimir then comes on IN
peasant-girl's attire, and is recognized by the
general as his first and only love, Fatinitza.
Then come the cadets, soldiers and officers,
disguised in all sorts of absurd costumes, to
the great establishment and intense rage of the
general, who is, however, conciliated by the
pretended FatinitZa who coaxes him to let
the offenders 60 Glad to be left alone with
his love, the general orders them off to drill;
but his love-making is interrupted by the an
nouncement of the arrival of his niece, the
Princess Lydia, whose noble rank is thus first
revealed to Vladimir, who fears recognition in
his disguise. Complications are again smooth
ed over by the correspondent, who explains the
resemblance by telling the princess that Fatin-
itza is her lover Vladimir's sister. The general
commends Fatinitza to the princess, and goes
off to inspect the troops. A band of Bashi
Al. l.
the Russian works. and capture the princess,
Vladimir and Julian; leaving the latter be-
hind, however, to arrange for ransom for their
captives. Just as they are going, the Russian
troops return, but are prevented from firing
upon the retreating Turks by the general, for
fear that they Knight hit Fatinitza."
The second act shows us the harem of the
reform Turk, Izzet Pasha, the governor of the
Turkish fortress and there are some comlcal
scenes with his family of four wives. Vladimir,
still IN woman's guise, and Lydia are brought
in as captives; and the Pasha announces to his
four 'better-halves'' that he is about to add
Lydia to their number, much to their vexation.
Then comes Julian, with the Russian Sergeant
Steipann, to arrange for the release OF the
captives. The Pasha is willing to give up
Fatinitza, but refuses to part with Lydia Stei-
pam is despatched to carry the Pasha's terms
to the general, with a secret message from
Julian telling how he can surprise the Turks
with his army; Julian having obtained the
knowledge from Vladimir, who, in previous
scene, has declared his identity to Lydia, and
also to the four wives, whom he persuades to
abet their escape. Julian is left as the guest
of the Pasha, and the two have very jolly
time together. A 'Karagois," or Turkish
shadow antomime, is gotten up for the enter
tainment of the strangers; but it is given an
unlooked-for conclusion by the arrival OF the
Russians, who come to rescue their friends.
The third act takes place in the generals
summer-palace near Odessa The princess
has been promised by the general to manned
and crippled old friend of his; but Julian ar
rives with Vladimir, and, through the in
genuity of the former, matters are smoothed
over and the general who finds in the Fatin-
itza whose coming he has been impatiently ex-
pecting nothing but yelled negress bearing
that name, made to believe that the real
Fatinitza has died of grief at her separation
from him, and so he consents to the union of
her brother Vladimir, whom she commits to
his care in parting letter, with his niece
A special train on the Portland & Rochester
railroad will leave the city after the per-
Torrance.
HIGH STREET CHURCH.
The concert at High street church last even
ing drew large audience. The church itself
presented most attractive appearance in its
new dress. The decorations darken the audi
forum somewhat, but this effect is intended as
it gives a more religious character to the edi-
flee. 1t is probable that in some portions of
the church additional light may be furnished,
which will provide all all the illumination
needed.
Of the concert it is sufficient to enumerate
the participants to show the excellence OF the
entertainment. Solos were sung by Mrs
Chase Miss Bryant and Mr.. Beckett, violin
solos by Miss Bertha Behrens, harp solo by
Miss Shaw a piano duet by Mrs. Dennison and
Miss Sparrow, vocal quartettes by Misses Web
ster and Bryant, Messrs. Hall and Follansbee.
and by Messrs. ckbridge, Beckett and Shaw,
and double quartette by Mrs. Chase, Misses
Webster Merrill and Bryant, Messrs. Howe,
Snow, Payson and Follansbee. Mrs. Thomp-
son and Miss Evans accompanied most accept
ably. Almost all the numbers were encored,
which shows the appreciation with which the
efforts Of the singers and instrumentalists were
received.
The event of the evening was the debut in
this city of Miss Bertha Behrens, young girl
who could not have been over nine years of
age. She took her position with the ease and
modesty of childhood and rendered Ripley's
overture to the "Seige of Paris" and De
Berot's Seventh Air." with a grace and
strength of bowling, knowledge and perfec-
ton of technique, and a depth of expression
sur rised to find in so young girl. Her en-
core selections were given with a delicacy OF
treatment that showed, in connection with her
other qualities, talent, if not genius, that
should make her an artist OF repute.
G. A. R. CONCERT.
The fifth entertainment in this course was
given last evening in City Hall by the Weber
Qartette of Boston, assisted by Mrs. Patrick
Walker, soprano. and Herr S. Liebling, pian-
list. Musically it was success, but we fear
financially there was not much profit in it.
The quartette was in fine voice and rendered
pleasing manner, receiving encores at nearly
every appearance; especially fine was their
responce to an enthusiastic encore, when they
gave 'The Soldiers Farewell" Mrs. Walker
has a sweet, though not powerful, voice,
which at once finds favor with the audience
She responded to two encores. Herr Liebllng'S
solos upon the piano were good. The u. A. H.
have taken great pains to furnish our citizens
with course of entertainments worthy OF
patronage in every sense, and it is pity they
do not meet with the response to which they
are entitled. We hope the sixth and last en-
tertainment will be literally patronized and
the boys given to understand that their efforts
are appreciated. The last in the course will
be given by "The Rivals Dec. 25th
CONCERT AT YARMOUTH.
A grand jubilee concert was given Wednes-
day evening asst, at Masonic Hall, by the Car
ter Sisters troupe (colored) of that village,
when the following talent appeared: Misses.
E. Carter, L. butcher, G. Morrison and Mrs
A. Andrad, soprani; Mrs J. Henry Carter,
Misses A. butcher and N. butcher, contralto;
Mr.. j. Henry Carter, tenor; and Mr.. G. Nor
rison, basso. Owing to the inclemency of the
weather, the audience was not large, but those
present were much pleased with the evenings
entertainment. The songs, some twenty in
number were nicely sung and received hearty
applause from the audience. They deserved a
full house.
Glass Of '72 P. H. S.
The Sth annual reunion of the class of '72
P. FL. S. took place last night at Rosini Hall.
This class the only one of the alumni who
have preserved any organization, seem to en-
ter into these recurring festivals with all the
zest of youth. The reunion last night was no
exception to the rule of previous years and
from the beginning to the end was complete
success. None know how better than they to
trip in the may dance, discuss tempting
mi