The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-05-13
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
oLIvETTl

| OLlNEl1E
| Ovette was presented last evening in this
city for the first time and Audran's opera
drew an excellent audience to City Hall in
consequence. The Boston English Opera
Company, who officiated as the medium for
| the Interpretation of the work, has been heard
here before to great advantage in Pinafore,
and for that reason, and partly because it was
evident last night there had not been that long
continued rehearsal and drill which are neces-
sary for the proper production of any musical
composition, and partly because at first hear
ing many of the best points of any new opera
are apt to escape the hearer it is but right that
| every allowance should be made. 1t is but
fair to say that the audience as whole, was
| evidently very much pleased, not only with the
music but with the dialogue and acting, and
several features were most heartily applauded.
The plot of Oiivette has been given in these
columns. OF the opera itself, from first hear
ing, we should say that the music is light, but
very pleasing, although there is too little of it
in proportion to the dialogue The best num-
bers, unsteady considered, are Valentines
serenade and Olivette's 'Sobbing Song in
the first act, and the quintette cit is He," and
the duet Like Carrier Dove" by the Countess
and Olvette, in the second act. The popular
melodious numbers are the pretty valse so
heart" by the Countess, Coquelcot's couplets
and the closing ensemble "Now my friends" of
the first act, the farandole at the end of the
second act, the song 'The Torpedo and
Whale" and the. Laughing Quartette in the
third act. Two of the Countesss aras were
not given and of those therefore it is impossible
to Judge.
The dialogue is more like that of opera
6oute than comic opera. There was great
deal last night that it is very doubtful if it
ever had anything to do with the composition
and some that was open gagging with no ex-
cuse for it. Coquelicot coolly aud deliberate
ly changed his couplets in order TO introduce
political gags and although they were funny.
they did not have proper reason for being.
Most of the dialogue was draggy and stupid
like opera 6Oafe and there appeared to be a
lack of confidence between the people on the
stage In their acting at times as if they were
not sure OF themselves. At others they en-
tered with spirit into the scene and appeared
to advantage.
Miss Dora Wiley sang the music allotted to
her last evening with good taste and was in
fair voice She seemed a great deal more SUBJ
dued than usual. Her valse was encored and
also the farandole sung by her and Olivette.
She looked exceedingly well in her riding
habit and was warmly welcomed Miss
Guenther was full of life and spirits as Oil
,yette. She acted and sang we'll, and her sob
oIhS oonS was HoFei anu properly enCOfoQ.
Mr.. Wilkes light tenor was heard to advan-
tage in the serenade, and he gave all his music
p!easingly. Mr.. Golden burlesqued Coquel-
ltco, but it seemed to meet with favor from the
audience. His scenes with Capt De Merimac
were long drawn out. Mr.. Gilbert was good
Do Meri nae, and the other characters were
fairly taken. The finale to the second act was
SO well done the curtain was raised second
time. The opera was we'll costumed aud the
orchestra, mostly from Chandler's Band
officiated acceptably.
NOTES.
Maggie Mitchell is great favorite in Port
land and will draw crowded house on the
Oath at Portland Theatre.
There are but few seats left at Stockbridge's
for the great Thomas-Cary concert and they
had better be secured at once