The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-05-01
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA
BOCCACCIO.


| The New York Tribune thus speaks of Boo
caccio, Prince of Palermo, which was brought
out at the Thaia Theatre in that city,
Wednesday, and which the Ideal Opera Com
pany have in rehearsal, TAT Boston, and will
probably produce in Portland:
Boccaccio, by Won Suppe, composer of Fat
| initza, another work of the same kind, was
| produced on Friday evening last in German at
the Thalia Theatre, IN the Bowery, and seems
likely to rival its predecessor in popularity.
The music is absolutely of the same sort, light
and trivial, but generally tunefu and at times
quite graceful. Like Fatintzasit is not orig
inal nor clever though in the concerted pieces
and ensemble Suppe shows tact and good mu-
sicianly qualities, but it is easy to listen to and
easy to catch, which will doubtless gain it
favor. Several Of the numbers are effective.
among them sort of conspirators' chorus in
the first act, which family suggests that in
''La File de Madame Angot," and buresques
cleverly the familiar "operatic rush, an
amusing song by cooper and his apprentices
which is bright aud spirited, and much the
best thing in the opera; and an absurd "kiss-
ing' sextet. The dialogue is numerous
enough, and there are several highly comical
situations. The story deals with the pranks
of Boccaccio, the young prince of Palermo,
and several of his student friends, who spend
their tune in falling in and out of love, in
making the lives of quiet citizens burdensome,
and in keeping perpetually in mischief of one
sort or another
The opera is very clever free from the
slightest trace of vulgarity.
THE DANITES.
When the Danites was brought out in Port
land, at Music Hall, it reioiced in remarka-
bly, strong cast. Mr.. Mckee Rankin, an ideal
miner in appearance, assumed the part of
Sandy, Louis Aldrich was the Parson, Louis
Mestayer, that finished actor, delighted every
one as the Judge, Parsloe, the Chinaman of
Cinnamon, created shouts of laughter as
Washee-W ashee, George Waldron was the
chief of the Danites, and Mrs. Rankin was
the Billy Piper. 1t was therefore with some
what of misgiving many visited Portland The
atre last evening to Witness the play. produced
with cast that contained none of the above
actors in any of the important roles, and it is
speaking well for both play and players when
we say they gave great deal of pleasure.
The Danites on a second representation
pleases even more than on the first. There
are beautiful passages in the play that do not
obtain the appreciation they so richly deserve
on a first hearing, on account of the distrac-
ton of the senses in taking in the scenes
Transporting on the stage and following the
plot. In fact the author has done his work so
skilfully that he furnishes a suggestion in the
more emotional scenes, which appeals to the
spectator more forcibly than mere words could
do, and calls forth the unbidden tear Such
is the scene where Sandy drives Billy Piper
from his cottage, such the situation where the
the Parson threatens to hurl Billy down the
abyss and is awe-struck when Billy raises his
hands in prayer.
But we have not space to enter into a
lengthy criticism this morning Mr. Ellis
Sandy was strong, vigorous, with good light
and shade. His voice at times was husky, and
he seemed to drop it near the close of some of
his sentences, but this was probably due to a
cold. The Parson of Mr.. Chappelle was well
conceived, and well acted. If he and Sandy
ranted somewhat in the strange situations it
was pardonable. Ben Maginley made q can't
tai Judge, Budworth good Chinaman, and
the elder of the Danites was excellently pre-
sented. Miss Welby's voice is not quite what
we should prefer, in quality, for Billy as it is
too soubrettish, but she acted gracefully and
we'll. Miss Johnson's "Wldder'' was exceed
ing good, and Miss Sloan's 'Captain Tommy"
and Miss Ludlow's Bunker Hll'' were both
deserving of mention.
The play will be repeated this afternoon and
evening.
NOTES.
The Rossini Club will give q concert next
Wednesday evening.