The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-09-15
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE MAscOTTE.

THE MASC0TTE.
Last evening 'The Mascotte" received its
first presentation last evening in this city
through the instrumentality of Corinne Merry
Makers so-called. The troupe takes its name
from the child who assumed the leading
character in the opera, the same little girl who
drew such crowded houses throughout New
England few seasons ago as Cinderella
There was a large audience present to see and
hear the opera last night and the verdict was
one of approval.
The music of the "Mascotte" is brighter and
more pleasing than that of "Olivette." The
airs are more catchy and the melodies are
more abundant THAI in the former work.
From the rising of the curtain to the close of
the third act there is constant succession OF
pretty airs, duets and concerted pieces In
the hands of the Merry Makers there was
more of buresque, or opera boutte character
given to the opera than of the light comic. 1t
was of course too absurd for anything to see a
tall fellow like Hayden making serious love to
such wee thing as Corinne, and M. W. Fiske
would lose half of his fun If he was not bur-
lesquing. Nevertheless very good represent
alton was given and opportunity afforded
to see what could be done with the opera,
from strictly musical point OF view, when
placed in the hands of a regular opera COM
pany. The piece was exceedingly well put on
the stage, handsomely costumed and mounted.
The orchestra deserve much credit for their
accomplishments especially when it is remem-
bered they had OILY one rehearsal.
Little Corinne Kimbal who assumed the
part of Bettina is remarkable child. We
thought so when she played Cinderella. We
are assured of it now. She is born actress,
and, what is more, seems TO understand pas
SONS and emotions that are sealed books to
many older people. Her grace, her coqnetries,
her sentiment are always in good taste. A
very we'll managed and amusing scene was
that in which she stood in chair to receive
Pippo's alteration, and again when as the
princes orderly, she announces what deeds
her hero has achieved She also sung with
voice of astonishing power and sweetness Tor
her age.
The other characters were all well acted, al
though We cannot say a great deal for Il
voices. Mr.. HAYDEN was good Pippo, Mr.
Fiske was amusing as Prince of Pembino,
Miss Hunt pleasing Fiameite, Mr.. Fre.r
c0mical Rocco, and pretty Miss Cory hand
some Prince of Pisa There was the usual
s,umber of neatly limbed ladies in short dresses
aud tights, who gave the ensembles with good
effect aided by the male chorus.
In the second act little Leila Farrell, of this
city, pretty as a picture, gave her specIalSles
with so much effect that she was heartily en-
cored and compelled to repeat them. Miss
Farrell left the company last night. Mrs. Far
rell felt that when her daughter came to Port
land she should have an opportunity to appear
in Cinderella, in which she bad leading part,
as many of her friends desired to see her as the
prince. Miss Kimhall says she had intended
playing matinee and evening performance
here and supposed the manager had so arranged
She intended to put Cinderella on at the matt
nee and play the Mascotte in the evening.
When she found there was no matinee she did
tho best thing she could, put Miss Farrell on
in her specialties, introduced in the ball room
scene in the second act The explanation is
not satisfactory to Mrs. Farrell and her friends.
PASSIONS SLAVE.
The tickets are now ready at the box Office
of Portland Theatre for the psrfo rmance of
PASSIONS Slave" to be presented by John A.
Stevens company on Friday night Those of
our readers who were pleased with Mr..
Stevens play Of the unknown" when pro-
duced at the old Portland Theatre will be very
anxious to witness this new effort of his. He
is said to be supported by good company.
CAMP FIRE.
The "Camp Fire. said to be the life history
of every soldier, will be brought out at City
Hall next Friday and Saturday. The play is
not brought out under the auspices of the
Grand Army in this city but is professional
affair. Among the performers are John II.
Byrne id his musical specialties, Ed Wilson
vocalist and dancer, VIII Ell lsworth, Dutch
comedian, Major German in his lightning
drill G. W. Lakin, Patsey Connors, the
jubilee singers and others.
MY SWEETHEART.
The following is the plot of "My Sweetheart"
l.
Palmer and R. e. Graham at Portland Theatre
Monday next:
Tony is a young German of wealthy and
cultivated parents, and has come to America
and is stopping at the rural home of Farmer
Hatzel and wife, who take summer boarders
The old folks are eccentric Their daughter
is Tina, who readily forms an attachment for
the young foreigner Tony, however,
with the reading, travel, and experience of
life with which he is accredited, he should
have known better-is ensnared by the wiies
of a wicked adventures, Mrs. Fletcher, who,
by evil chance, is one of the DO arders, and ul-
timately she and her rascally brother, Harold
Bartlett, entice him to New York, where they
subject him to systematic process OF feeclng.
While Tony believes his wealth is being judi
ciouSlY invested in safe and profitable ways, 1t
is furnishing the capital for gambling den.
Tina has discovered what is going on, and is
properly wretched. DIR. Oliver is the good ge-
MUS of the play. He, too, investigates, is sue
cessful in exposing the confederate rogues, and
in the end Tony and Tina are united; roguery
is defeated and the whole affair turns out just
as it should.
NOTES.
If the weather holds good, there will be
large attendance at the sacred concerts to be
given by Chambers Band at Lake Sebago
next Sunday.
Remember that a few good seats still remain
at ckbridge's for the grand concert TO be
given at City Hall next Wednesday, by Annie
Cary, Sherwood the pianist, and the Philhar-
monte Orchestra.