The Portland daily press., 1882-02-04
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


HAMLET.
Mr.. Barrett could not but feel complimented
at the packed audience which gathered at
Portland Theatre to welcome him last even
ing, and at its quality, since 1t is rarely 80 many
representative men, or so large proportion OIL
the fashion of the city, do homage to the
drama in the person Of one of its most distin-
guished actors. Although Mr.. Barrett he's
steadily grown in popular favor in Portland,
and has always been greeted by paying houses,
he has never before last night drawn such an
assemblage. Gentlemen were noticeably pres
emit who do not probably attend dramatic per-
Torrance more than once or twice year;
Shakesperian students who watched the TRACE
dian with a keenness of sight, and listened
with an absorbed attention that showed how
deep was the interest taken by them in the
representation. The applause was critically
bestowed, and, 1t was noticeable how rarely
gallery and orchestra was in accord, fact eyl-
dencing what has often been claimed by CRIT
les, that popular success and critical sue
cess are two entirely different things. There
were several occasions, however when all por-
tions of the house were carried away by the
force and trnthfnlness of the actor; such Tor
instance as the conclusion of that part OF the
interview between Hamlet and his mother,
when Hamlet upbraids her with her conduct
and confronts her with the pictures Of his fa-
Their and uncle. For several moments Ham
let was unable to proceed owing to the storm OF
applause.
Mr.. Barrett's Hamlet is one of the best OF his
assumptions. We place it next to his Cassius
although we are aware 1t is generally conceded
that his Richelieu Is his finest Characterization
In the first place he looks better In the COS,
tune than in any other. The high neck ana
frill bring out his scholarly mead IN glahu re.
home in the part, and seems, from thorough
study, to be able to comprehend and delineate
all the restlessness, cynicism, and moodisnness
of the Danish prince He makes the chamel-
eon-like changes from passion to gentleness
with skill and delicacy of treatment that
produce admiration and delight. Such was
the case in the last portion of the scene with
his mother after the entry OF the ghost, and N
the scene with Ophelia where, after denounc.
ing her, be returns to give her farewell and
most endearing caress The great drawback
to the pleasure the spectator takes in Mr.. Bar
retts acting is in his monotones, and certain
set stage tone that he continually falls into. LIZ
seems as If this tone was owing to lack OF
compass in his voice and was forced upon MN
faGQ6r IMAM dSSuIu5Q VI LIS tWA Des A.-n
enunciation is singularly distinct and Eeven in
rapid passages-at least last night-no words
were blurred This was also great charm OF
the rest of the company. OF the celebrated
speeches of the play the
ITO be or not to be-
was very effectively delivered, while in the
"Ah! what rogue and peasant slave"
he was not SO happy. Mr.. Barrett was called
before the curtain at the close of every act
The support was generally exce tSin,s M L.
has ever done. His voice is singularly rich and
deep and he gave the lines OF the part
musical beauty we have never,but once before,
heard. Mr.. Otis Skinner was an admirable
Laertes, Mr.. Rogers was capital representa-
tive of that old Dogberry of Polonius. Miss
Wainwright, in the mad scene, was an &C
ceptabls Ophelia and sang the music with
very sweet and pleasing voice. Mr.. BOOK as
the King, and Miss Meek as the Queen, were
far above the average in those characters al
though they were not ideal royal personages
The other characters were fairly taken.
One most agreeable feature of the evening
was the short waits betweet acts, the curtain
rising almost Immediately after it shad fallen
By this means the action of the play was car
ming to end. At the matinee to-day IMr. Bar
rett will personats Claude: tonight Cassius
NOTES
Mr. Ernst Perabo, during his recent trip to
Europe, had the honor of playing in private
before Nine. Moscheles, widow OF the pianist
and composer, Mr.. August Manns Of the Crys-
tai Palace London and other persons of prom
inence in the musical world. He also gave
concert, August 10, at the Hydropathic Estab-
lishment in Moffat, Scotland. He has since
his return to Boston, decided to give two con-
certs, which will come off at noon (tbat being
the hour when ladies are most at leisure).
March 6 and 9, in the Meionaon. He will in
troduce new pianist at these concerts, Mile.
Marie Heimlicher, from Bazel Switzerland,
from Rubinstein, rarely accorded favor