The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-12-23
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
JOSHUA.

| work not often heard, written in 1747, and
which was given last evening in this city for
the first time. 1t contains many of the COM
posers most marked characteristics, is very
melodious, and perhaps can be better appre-
ciated, even with less familiarity, than most
works of the class.
The argument of the oratorlo is briefly the
story OF the entry Of the children of Israel into
the Promised Land, under the leadership of
Joshua, the capture of Jericho, and the defeat
of the tribes of Israel at All, and their subse-
quent victory over the heAthens, while the sun
aud moon stood still during the battle. The
tender loves of Othniel and Achsah are told
The valor of the youthful hero fifty recognized
and the gratitude of happy people, uttered
in noble song, closes noble work. 1850
The work done by the chorus was on the
whole SATISFACTORY. The best of it was, in fact,
the best which we have heard from them but
occasionally slight lack of confidence was
noticeable. The numbers which perhaps
were given with the most perfect measures of
satisfaction, were the majestic chorus. "The
Lord Commando, the peculiar phrasing of
which WAS managed admirably, and "May all
the Host of Heaven, which closed the first
part.
"Glory to God" in which the manner of the
destruction of Jericho is outlined, was reals
tically rendered. In the chorus, Almighty
Ruler the bnssos did themselves credit by
the steadiness with which they gave their
somewhat doleful solo passage.
The chorus" We with redoubled rage return"
was given with great spirit, well introducing
the closing number of the second part "Behol I
the listening SUM- in which the utter rout and
flight of the heather tribes is told.
The fitting climax of the oratorio is reached
through melodious and soul stirring numbers;
in the noble if well worn chorus 'See the Con-
quering Hero Comes" which has been for
more than one hundred years the habitual well
come home of heroes, and was SO great fav-
orite with the composer that he introduced iJ
again in his later work Judas Maccbaeus."
The Oratorio closes with jubilant thanks to
God in the grand chorus 1.-THE Great Jehovah
is our awful theme"
The soosts were Mr.. j B. Coyle, Jr., Mr..
Albert Pennell, Mrs. o. Ii. Fellows, Mrs.
A. B. Morrison and Mrs. S. E. Thompson.
Although Mr.. Coye was suffering from
very severe cold, this did not prevent the dis
play of grand dramatic delivery and magnifi-
cent phrasing, noticeable in all his numbers
but especially in those like "The walls are lev.
eled, I" with the Great Leader" and "Shall
IN Mamres fertile plains.' Mr.. Peunel's
voice never appeared to greater advantage in
oratorio, and fairly rang out like trumpet,
clear and noby inspiring, in the stirring num-
bers entrusted to him. His numbers, "'Tis
well six times" and so thou, bright orb" were
heartily applauded. Mrs. Fellows, better
kindly came from New York to assist on this
OCCASION Her correct manner and entirely
satisfactory style are too well known to need
particularizing here. The air "Hark, tits the
linnet," was chsrmingly rendered, as was also
Happy, thrice happy"
Mrs. Morrison's richitones were admirably
suited to her music, and won fairly earned
plaudits in the air Heroes when with glory
burning" and "Nations who in future stroy,.'
Mrs. Thompson appeared to excellent advan-
tAg9 the asSiUnp0 IN her and ha
angel music in an angelic manner. Miss Jor-
dan always performs the very exacting duties
required OF her as accompanies in a satisfactory
manner, and it is safe to say that Mr.. Kotzsch-
mar holds his forces in complete control. In
his hands the chorus is a grand instrument
ON which be plays at will. The shading and
expression were all given with admirable
promptness at the motion of his baton Moth
ing was wanting to complete eDj lyment of
the music last evening except the atmosphere
of the hall, which before the close of the eve
ming became almost unbearable. Hasten the
day which brings the mucn needed Music Hall
to our music Low ng city.
EUGENE LIE GRAND.
Last evening Mile. Eugene LIE Grand, edu-
Gated at the Paris Conservatoire, favorite at
the Odeon, a success in London, and the Aus
tralian colonies and, since May last, a sue
cessful star in this country, made her first ap-
pearance in Portland, and in character which
challenged comparison with almost all the
both the past and present
That Mile. LIE Grand has been carefully
trained in her art goes for the saying: that she
is the ideal Camille would not be true. Sheis
tall, willowy, graceful, with fine eyes, good
nose and mobile features. She does not over
act neither is she att any time tame, and, in
the strong situations OF the play, notably the
with Armand's father, she rises
to considerable power. Like Frenchwo-
man, TO which nationality she belongs, she
she is all action; eyes, hands, feet, head, all are
made to do their part in dramatic expression,
and they do it well. Her voice is rather deep
and harsh, which is one of her misforlunes,
and makes it subservient to her acting. She |
enunciates very clearly and displays remark
ably little accent for foreigner, while her
French intonations remain. 1t is a quiet,
carefully elaborated, lady-like Camille. In
scenes where she relies upon her being
woman to carry her points, or where quiet
dignity is assumed she is seen, in Camille, at
her best. Her assumptions of contempt, and
scorn are excellent, and she is not lacking in
coquetry.
But while all these qualities 60 TO make an
excellent actress the lady fails TO present that
wonderful woman who. having Ia belle Paris
at her feet, the mistress of duke,
courted feted, with mobiles standing ready to
from them all to lavish her owe on simple
country gentleman. prepares to sell all her pos
sessions for his sake, and bury herself in the
fields and forests, giving up every thing that
has been to her her life in the past. Armand |
is her hfe. She lives but for him. His jeal-
GUS disposition nearly drives her distracted
and yet she quickly changes her moods at the
merest signal from him. At times Candles |
passion almost terri6es the spectator in its
at others her breaking heart with |
its silent pathos, brings tears. On occasion
she is the happy child pleased with the pleas.
ures of the hours, at others the broken-hearted |
woman passing away into the shadowy land.
Such is the ideal Camille. She is seen but sell |
dom for genius is rare gift. But Mile. Le- |
grand's Camille is artistic, it is admirable.
The support furnished was fair. Mr.. Nc
Cormack was an acceptable Armand, and Mr..
Smith fair Monsieur Duva. Mr.. Clarence
Leonard, an old Portland actor, was greeted
with applause as Gustave.
Grimmer's orchestra played the following
programme:
Waltzes--koses without thorns Strauss
Selecton-Pirates of Penzance Sullivan
Galol-Merry sleigh bells lsenman
Tonight the Lady of Lyons"
THE EMMA ABBOTT co.
Next Monday afternoon and evening the
Emma Abbott Opera Troupe will appear in
this city in TWO of the most Interesting operas
of their class. "a King for Day. is an adj
mirable comic opera, while III grand OPT ra
there is none more satisfactory than "Lucia."
The singers al all well known and they will
be aided by an excellent orchestra of sixteen
pieces. StockbrIdge is having a large sale of
seats.
THE PROFESSOR.
At the performance of professor" by the
Madison Square Company the following will
be the cast:
The Professor. .....,...........Mr MI. j. 0. Barrows
Beauregard .....................Mr Mr.. G. G. Jordan
Mr. pkins ................. Mr.. E. H. Step hens
Gustavus ......................Mr Mr.. Harry Warren
Henry Marston $50. ......... Mr.. Nestor ennon
Moses Brown. ...........,......M Mr.. G S. Woodward
Fred Bangs ...........,,,... .Mr Marcus Moriarty
Jack Topley. .............. Mr.. Percy Sage
De- uty sheriff Mr. jacques Martin
Thomas :. ........................ Mr. Clark King