The Portland daily press., 1882-10-19
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
HENscHE1 AND Hrs oRcHrsrRA.

HENscHEL AND HIS ORCHESTRA.
The Stockbridge course of entertainments
opened last evening at City Hall in most
suspicious and delightful manner, with con-
cert by the Symphony Orchestra OF Boston,
Mr.. Georg Henschel appearing as baritone So
loist, and as leader of the orchestra. The pro-
gramme was fine one in every respect; the
numbers were chosen well for the display of
the resources of the players, and were of high
merit as compositions. The most notable
traits of the Symphony Orchestra are the fex-
Utility, intelligence and care evidenced in their
playing. Compared with the inevitable stand
ard of Theodore Thomas orchestra to
speak Of it one recalls its first season or two,
when it was in the freshness of the bloom Of
its glory, compared, one will say, with the
fairly superhuman beauty of Thomas rendi-
ticns scarcely any setiof players but are subject
to criticism for an occasional roughness of tone,
or failure in finish of phrasing or gradations of
forte and piano. But to Mr.. Henschel and his
orchestra may be given unstinted recognition
of the musician-like and thorough manner in
whichsevery part of the score was given. Each
individual took his part with interest, and
with regard to the meaning of the compost
ton. The overture to Ruy Bias made good
impression; but it was in Haydn's symphony
in G that the quality of the orchestra began to
fairly manifest itself. The first addgio and
the menaietto were taken a shade faster than
was requisite, though the delicious swing of
the minuet was given with perfect balance
and smoothness. The Uioloncelk made felici-
fano off with Al
accented admirably The delicate and origi-
nal rythm of the SylUio ballet music, and the
fine shading and musical tone of the pizzicGto
displayed the precision and finish of the Or
chestra's work, and the Rienzi overture left no
doubt OF their power. To the depressing infu-
ence of the fog and rain may be attributed the
breaking of several strings, and the occasional
hardness OF tone perceptible among the violins
and cell. The orchestra has made an exceed
ingly favorable impression in Portland, and We
may well hope that it will return often to give
us the benefit OF its competent and telling in
terpretations.
As singer, Mr.. Georg Henschel displayed
similar qualities to those noted in his conduc-
torship: sound musical knowledge, genuine
feeling and entire conscientiousness. His voice
is line baritone, not especially elastic or bril-
liant by nature, but cultivated with great care
and skill until it meets the requirements of his
art. In the Handel air, the clearness of the
difficult reulddes and the variety of shading
were testimony to the singers science His
style OF singing and his voice were better fitted
in Schumann's Two Grenadiers, which he gave
with genuine dramatic feeling. The orches-
tralsaccompaniment was very effective.
Herr Wilhelm Mueller came quietly forth
from the corner of the orchestra-where he
had led the violonceli with marked effect--to
take the audience fairly by force of his large
and expressive playing. His tone, sometimes
a little dry, is steady, pure and telling and his
expression at once unexaggerated and filed
with the true emotion that quickly communi-
Gates itself to his hearers, Both ths soloists re-
ceived cordial and prolonged applause, in Mr..
Mueller's case SO persistent that only the first
notes of the following number of the pro-
gramme caused the expressions of pleasure to
cease.
success, and was, in programme and execution,
an artistic enjoyment. The audience was
large and attentive. So prosperous begin
ming of the course of performances is pleasant
te note, and a continuance OF its prosperity
may be fairly anticipated.
ANNIE PIxLEy.
Miss Annie Pixley, supported by the best
company with which she has ever been associ-
ated, m axes her first appearance here in the
role Of CARA one in which she is able to
bring into play her varied talents, and of
which we hear the most favorable accounts, at
Portland Theatre Friday evening. Saturday,
in which character she has always been a
great fayorite with Portland people.
GILMoRE's BAND.
This fine organization will give a grand con-
cert at Portland Theatre, Monday evening,
Oct. %, in which the following eminent artists
will take part; Miss Emma s. Howe, soprano;
Mr.. B. G. Bent, cornet; Mr.. f. W. Innes,
trombone; Signor Raffayolo. euphonium; Sig
nor DeCarlos piccolo; Herr Stockight, clari-
onet; and Gilmores famous band of forty first
class instrumentalists of New York, the whole
under the personal direction of Mr.. P. S. Gill
more, originator and general director of the
great Boston Jubilees of 1869 and 1872 The
following is the programme:
1-Overtare-"Der Freischutz' Weber
GilmOre's Band
2-Clarionet Solo-Polonaise from "Mgnon''
Herr Stockight.
3-Grand Fantasia from the "Huguenots''
Gilmores Band
ETrombone Societies Foles Bergere'' 80. lines
Mr.. f. W. lines.
5-Theme and Variations. ,............. .Proch
Miss Emma s. Howe.
6-Cornet Solo-''Cleopatra Polka"..,.e DemRri
Mr.. b. c. Bent.
7-American Patrol, (New). .............. .Norrito
Gilmore's Band.
8-Euphonium Solo = Concerto original
Signor Raffayolo.
9-Rhapsodie Hongroise, No. 2............... List
Gilmores Band.
10-Piccolo Solo Fantasia on "Ceme back to
ETH, --....... ..,...... NOfIlIo
Signor De Carlo.
1l-"Good Bye''. .Tosti
Miss Emma S. Howe.
12-Grand Observation-Disclosures of Scotland"
................., ,..... .Godfrey
Gilmore's Band.
NOTES,
Tickets for the French illustrated lectures
should be secured at once, as but few choice
IN in al