The Portland daily press., 1880-12-18
MUSIC AND FTHE DRAMA.
ROCCACCIo.


1t was very discouraeing to look over the
theatre last night and see so many empty seats.
Discouraging, because the most complete opera
company that has visited Portland for years
did not receive heartier welcome. We say
the most complete company because. taking
acting and singing both into consideration, they
may be said to carry off the palm. The Ideals
gave Fatanitza in fine style, but the Mahn
troupe produced Boccaccio in better, and
moreover had the advantage of first class
theatre for the representation. The effect OF
the music in the balcony was particularly fine.
All that our exchanges havel said about this
work of Suppe's was more than verified last
evening. The music is bright melodious,
dashing, rollicking. with several charming
gems interspered. The opera is much more
satisfactory than Fatanitza, good as that was,
for the airs are more original. 1t is full of fun
When one is not absorbed in the music he is
laughing over some comic situation. The fir
tations of Boccaccio and Pietro are very anus
ing, and while the opera is comic one in
name it, in places, is almost b0ufe, especially
in the scene in the second act where Lotterin-
CHI views Boccaccio's devotion to his wife with
absurd alarm
Miss Jennie Winston possesses beautiful
soprano voice, and sang the airs allotted Boo
ingly, while her acting was vivacious, spright-
ly and intelligent. She has fine face and
figure, and is one of the most pleasing singers
known to the profession. Miss Guthrie-Fia-
metta-has a rich naezzo-Soprano, whose only
fault is little too much trenaolo. Miss Janet
Edmond, as Beatrice, sang sweetly and acted
with taste, and Miss Somerville was good
Isabella. Mr.. Ryse's excellent basso was dis
played to great advantage as Lotteringhi, and
Mr.. Bell was capital Lambertuccio. The
cooper's song proved great hit and was Wig
orously encored, as were many of the numbers.
All of the principals had their best efforts re-
demanded. The choruses and ensembles were
capital, and the curtain was raised at the end
OF each act. The opera was beautifully and
richly costumed, and the orchestra (notwith
standing the regular theatre orchestra had en-
Joyed but little rehearsaD was in general re-
markably good.
We hope our readers will bear in mind the
performance this afternoon and tonight and
crowd the house.
HINDoO JUGGLERs.
The tickets to the performances by the Hin.
doc Jugglers are selling rapidly at Stockbridge's
An exchange, speaking O. the snake char ners,
says:
Two live cobras and mongoose were han
died freely by the snake charmers, and there
was Hindoo dance by woman, very grace
fully executed to some extraordinary music.
The dissolving views of India formed one of
the most interesting features of the evening,
and Esoofally Hiptolla, the rich Bombay mer-
chant, who was on the stage, noted with evil
dent pleasure the audiences appreciation of
the wonderful scenery and works of art in his
native country. Mr.. French's running COM
mentary on the views, with his bright descrip-
tion of scenes and happenings during his So
journ among the Hindoos, was full of interest.
The entire entertainment was unique.
NOTES.
Bernhardt will have drawn $4,000 during
her Boston engagement.
Joseph Proctor will appear in "Jibbenain-
osay" at New Portland Theatre Christmas af.
ternoon and evening.
There has been talk of bringing Judic over
from Paris, but she has taken lesson from
Bernhardt and wants $1,000 night.
The Brooklyn Eagle says:-One of the mu-
scal sensations of the season is the singing of
the new baritone, Mr.. George Henschel. He
has now appeared in concert four or five times
and always with 4he most pronounced success.
Last Tuesday he inaugurated a series of vocal
recitals at Steinway Hall. His audience was
made up of some of the most musical people
in town, and the applause was very general
Henschel appears here Jan. 7th.