The Portland daily press., 1883-03-28
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


LEAH,
Ii Miss Mather had made her debut in this
city as Leah rather than in outlet" there is
no doubt the impression she would have left
upon her audience at the close of the perform
ance would have been deeper and justified to a
much greater extent the claim which has
been made, or rather perhaps implied that
she is an actress already worthy to take rank
with those who have become world-famous 1t
is true that Leah, or Deborahas ii is some-
times styled--is gloomy and forbidding play
and manager cannot be blamed for Offering
the drama he thinks will draw the largest
houses but those who saw Miss Mather in Ju-
liet only caught glimpses of what the actress
was capable Of In Leah the costume was
more effective, and aided in adding greater at
Effectiveness TO her strong and mobile features.
The story of the play as is well known, is
that OF Jewess, prosecuted by tho German
laws, who seeks refuge in little village whose
schoolmaster is an apostate jew Rudolph,
rich farmers son, falls in love with her, but
Nathan induces the farmer and Rudolph to test
her love with gold. Leah knows not of the
bargain. The schoolmaster deeeives them.
Leah is cast off by Rudolph. He marries
Madelaine and then, still loving Leah seeks
her forgiveness In her turn she curses him.
Later she forgives him, through love for tia
child of Rudolph named for her, denounoes
Nathan, and dies,
Throughout the play the character of Leah
was well and evenly sustained In the second
act the love scene OF Rudolph and Leah was
strong and well sustained, and well shaded.
TlarA ~ arfiEoio1ftv ~
movement and voice that marked the balcony
scene in Juliet Here both actress and actor
were natural and intense without exsggera-
ton. In the third act the scene where Ru-
dolph repels Leah was we'll done, but there was
too much clutohing Of the neck, as If her heart
was choking in Leahs mouth preventing as
thorough working of the scene to climax as
otherwise would have been the case. In the
fourth act the curse was exoellently
force now-and by force we mean that height |
of power-whioh freezes the blood in the veins |
as 1t were-it will come in time, and in the |
last act she struck the sympathies OF her au-
dience IN the telling scene with the child and |
III the death scene. Miss Mather's Leah was |
natural and the artist lived in the Jewess. |
Inc audience was strongly stirred. They |
called the actress twice before the curtain at /
the end of the second act, once at the close of |
the third and twice at the end of the fourth.
Mr.. Salvini can render prose far better than /
Snaksperean verse, and he played Rudolph |
with feryor and power. Mr.. Levickis Nathan |
was very strong Characterization and. during |
exhibition of fear. Mr.. Dayidge Infused the
little humor there is in the play in his DIR. |
Tonight Rosalind.
CAMILLA URso.
The Camilla Urso concert company will APP
pear at City Hall, Thursday evening. The
Lowell Courier says of the entertainment /
there; "The audience that was present In
Huntington Hall last evening, who brayed the |
discomfort of the storm, were richly rewarded |
for their trouble. The concert was of high |
order, AID one that met the appreciation Of all |
who recognize artistic finish and musicianly /
excellence. Madame Urso's playing is, If pcs
sible, more mellowed since she last appeared I
10 this city. Her selections were marked by
an efftorescence of style, delcacy OF treat
ment, purity and distinctness OF tone, and
were loudly encored. She very generously re-
piled to the demands of favor, and gave two
selections IN addition to those on the pro-
gramme. Miss Marguerite Hall possesses vocal
ability of high order, and her selections were
rendered with refinement of execution that
denoted an artistic training of the natural
gifts. Mr.. Liebling's performance on the
plano-forte was not the least admirable of the
4
bank is = reader of acknowledged power and
versatility, and his selections were heartily
Ii is very ereditable 70 the musi-
cal intelligence of our city that an entertain
ment OF such superior character should have
been SO eagerly patronizsd.'
THE LYcEUM.
The new bill at the Lyceum proves attract
i've, and last night drew another large house.
The performers are good and the people pleased.
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The concert by the Boston Symphony Or
shestra. under Ira Stockbridge's management.
1t City Hall, this esening, viii probably be
one of the most delightful OF the season, and
tickets are selling well. Everybody will also
wish to hear Mrs. Lillian Bailey Henschel, and
he solos By Mr.. Bernhard Listamann. the dis
inguIshed yioiinist. Call at Stockbridge's Mt
,nee for tickets.
At the vestry of the church of the Messiah
Thursday evening, TrowhriGges interesting
'lay of Coupon Bonds will be presented.
Mr.. Ike Ball. press agent of the Bishop Col
,red Ministries, was at the United States Hotel
asst evening The company appear here
April 10th.