The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-03-22
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MARY ANDERSON.


For the past two years The press of the larger
cities at the West, and of many at the East,
have sung the praises of Miss Mary Anderson,
some of them extravagantly, calling her the
greatest living actress, others more moderately,
acknowledging her genius, giving her fair cred
it for all she was entitled to- and referring to
the possibilities of which she was capable.
Last night this youug and beautiful won An
made her first appearance in Portland, assum-
ing the character of Parthenia in "Ingomar,"
and befroe the first act was concluded had won
her way TO the hearts of her audience
In criticisirg Miss Anderson criticism is
partially disarmed. An actress of her talents,
possessing her beauty, has won half the battle
This, perhaps, is hardly fair, but humsn nature
Is human nature everywhere Beauty alone
could effect but little, but, joined to rich.
flexible voice, that is pure music in itself; to
an enuncation clear as crystal; to the inteli-
gence that, having furnished correct concep-
ton, enables her to deliver her lines under.
standiDgly; to 1.-THE, slender figure that, in
tragic situations, seems to tower above its
surroundings and dwarf even the stalwart
form OF the barbarian chief; then beauty be-
comes most important factor in captivating
the public aud this Mary Anderson has DONE
OF all the Parthenias we ever saw, and they
have been actresses of high repute none have
possessed the youth and beauty with which this
young Western actress is endowed and which
are essential to proper Interpretation of the
character 1t was these that tanned the savage
chief OF the Allemanni, together with high
spirit, courage, devotion, refinement All
these the actress displayed with skill and pow
err Her passion Was grand, her emotions alone
faulty. She electrified the house when, in the
third act, pursued by Ingomar hot with pas
sion, Parthenia suddenly turns, draws her dag
ger and exclaims:
Ho! stand off-away
Another step, and l lie dead before thee
and again when lngomar, exasperated BY her
scorn, rushes on her with his sword and de-
mands her life, Parthenia opening her arms
exclaims:
1t i5 genius not talent that encrcies thu ne0-
phyte with its halo in these scenes that recall
Rachel IN some of her greatest assumptions
We might bring point after point forward in
proof of Miss Anderson's power to express
scorn and anger, bat it would be needless We
never beard the stspzas "Wbst 1--we is" de-
livered more beautifully than last night. The
scene 10 which it occurs was charming There
is also.an archness in the actress lighter moods
that possesses great fascination, and it has
scope in that scene, and also in those where the
"woman's rights question: probably there
preached for the fist time, between Ingomar
and Parthenia, causes the warrior to carry the
OaehCb Whiic Su6 utdlu6n assumes the helmet
and shield OF Minerva, ard where he surrenders
MS sword to her and agreed to serve Myron as
ms servant In emotion, pathos, Miss AndeI-
son makes art take the place of nature, and
lacks the magnetism to make it effective She
IS 3 trlgedienne not an emotional actress Elk
perience and age may make her SUCH but then
she will have ripened aud improved In other
respects also. The nearest approach to drawing
tears was when she called back Iogomar and |
fell weeping on his bosom The Greek dress
or fFgaG runr nrurr L
as we'll as the fiilet that bound her dark brown
hair. She was several times called before the
curtain.
Miss Anderson was fortunate in her lingo
mar Mr.. j. W. Norton looked the savage |
chief and identified himself with the character.
The brilliant audience that witnessed the per-
forDapce will not be satisfied with one visit to |
theatre; but will Ell the house at the matinee |
today aud thus evening After 'Pauhepia there |
VIII be great desire to zee Juliet and Evadne. |
THE HAYDNs.
The Hasdn Association are to give Macfar-
rams Est. John the Baptist" on Thursday
evening, April 3d. The solo parts are to be |
sustained by Miss Nettie Mi.hken, soprano;
Mrs Cloudy. contralto; Mr.. A. e. Pencil, |
tenor; and Mr.. Ceyle, basso. This ora torio is |
comparatively new, and was imported by the |
Haydns expressly for their study, having never
1890 P"AA0AI SN III eh'o Suuuts. Ai'eF uiepOs- |
ing OF est John the Baptist" tie Hsydn's |
are to take up Memberships $751;. Paul." |
which will be given before the adjournment Of |
the sJcety's rehearsals in June. The latter |
work has never been given in Portland entire,
alt though portions of it are familiar to our mus
ical public.
NOTES.
The entertainments advertised by. Prof. Viii |
leis to be given at City Hall this after
noon and evening, have been postponed.
The sale of seats for the performances to be |
given by the Boston Pnafore Company next
tuesday and Wednesday, will begin today at |
o'clock q the box office.
Don't forget the peri ,rmsuce to be given by
George A. Hill at Music Hall next Monday |
night.
Mr. Curtis has received telegram from the
of the Salisbury Troub adors saving
thst II possible the troupe will give another
entertainment here Thursday evening, April
18th
Miss Charlotte Harriss musical lecture will
be given in this city about April 81 Al her
lecture on List. in Cambridge, lately, Mrs.
Fanny Hswes CT this city sang ''Bel Raggio,'
and the Boston Advertiser says she possesses a
clear, bird-like voice of great f1exibIlity, which
she uses with much taste, aud her singing gave
great pleasure to the audience.
A very pleasant dramatic entertainme ut was |
given at East Deerng Wednesday, "Above |
The Clouds aud "rweedleton's Tail-coat" |
were performed aud Mr. Il Kennedy appeared |
IN Dutch specialties