The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-10-19
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.



1t was exceedingly unfortunate for Mains
Opera Company that they produced "Boc-
caccio" the first evening of their engagement
in place of donna Juanita." The former
opera had been presented so we'll by them q
year ago that comparisons were naturally in
stituted between the performance then, and
on Monday, TO the disadv antage OF the latter
Donna Jnanita, however, was new work,
had never before been heard here, and conse-
quently each one of the cast was the creator OF
his or her. role in Portland. Monday night
also. the company seemed TO lack fire and
spirit in certain degree Last night every
one, from the piima donna to the least impor-
tant fguraAte, seemed to strive their utmost &c
give the opera with briIiancy and perfection
of detail
Donna Juanita" is more satisfactory than
even "Bocaccacio," or "Fatinitza." There is
more TO it, both muscslly and dramatically.
IL ia full of odd, quaint conceits that are ire
sistibly comic and while at times its humor
and action are little broad, they can be par
doned because they are really witty. The
melodies are more finished than those of Won
Suppe's other operas The music is almost all
in wal-z time, while there are several very
stirring marches. The choruses are full of
snap and go, and the ensembles, especially that
of the second act, worthy of gran opera.
The story in brief, is an episode of the PEN
insula War. CASTOR Dufause, captain OF the
French army, is prisoner at San Sebastian.
The Alcalde OF the town is an old gallant,
possessed of wife of abont his ownEage, who is
tow all lot do moi nn oil
most as great a curse to her as the st. Vitus's
dance would be Colonel Douglass, an old one
eyed, deaf English officer is commander oil the
Notifications General Picheeon wishes to
take the place. He sends young cadet, Rene
Dufaure, brother 10 CASTOR, as q spy into the
town disguised as muleteer. Rene, hndlng
himself hard pressed, after his arrival, as
sumes the garb of woman, call himself Dom
ma Juanita, gets the Alcalde and English colo
mel in love with him, excites the Jealousy OF
Petrita, "a beautiful young girl with whom
CASTOR is in loye) and also the Alcades wife,
aud plays many pranks. He has nfeder-
ate in Don Riego public notary, and arrang-
es a conspiracy with the pages OF the court, by
which number of French soldiers, DIS
guised as pilgrims, shall enter San Sebastian
and on the day of the children's festival, by
oreconcerted signal throw off their disguise
aud capture the place. Everything works well.
The soldiers enter the town as pilgrims, are
rendered royal reception and drinking bout,
md, when Rene has got the old Aicalde, his
wife, and all the adults dressed up as children
for the festval-one OF the funniest scenes
imaglnable--the citadel Is taken to the strains
of the Marsellaise and Rene receives the re-
ward of lieutenant's commission.
Miss Barry made an admirable Rene Du-
faure. She was quick, manly, magnetic as the
cadet, arch. graceful and full of mischief as
Donna Juanita. Her voice appeared to excel
lent advantage in the music which she render
ed most artisticslly. Her muleteers song in
The first act the song "a SpaDiard was my
Papa with the accompanying eccentric dance
aud chorus by Don Riego, Don Pomponio and
Col. Douglass, the kissing Song, aud charm-
ing trio Now all the clouds are cleared
away with Petrita and CASTOR, in the second
act and her part of the ensembles, were all
beautifully rendered, while several OF them
we're imperatively redemanded.
Miss Reignsrd, as Petrita, while she is not
an actress nevertheless put great deal more
life into her acting than previously. and sang
her music with great elearness and expression.
Miss Leighton as Donna Olympia, the sweet
hmb-slinger," was very amusing MI Coop,
er. as CASTOR, came out strong he acted
with spirit and showed himself the owner of an
agreeable, clear tenor, and received an encore
for his excellent rendering OF his song Long
may the land in the first act, to which the
chorus added much effect by their finished
singing of the rataplan. Mr.. Ryse created
lots of fun as Don Pomponio. Mr.. Van Hou-
zen was capital Don Riego and Mr.. Dixon
comical old Col Douglass although his deaf
uess was con snienG > eakness. There was
beautiful quintette in the first act that should
have been encored, and the pretty. pages
chorus, in the second ACT, was repeated. The
chorus displayed splendid drill and their Free
dom for Spain,' at the end of the first act,
and the conspirators chorus, with the drinking
music and ensemble at the close of the second
act, were the best things of the kind heard in
Portland for years. Mr. Kerker, the conduc-
tor, showed himself all that conductor should
be- He led the orchestra admirably, keeping
them well in hand, and they did excellent
work The opera was very handsomely Co.'S
tuned aud mounted.
Tonight the Mascotte will be given and We
nope to see crowded house.