The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-02-08
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
JOHN MCCULLOUGH.

JOHN MCCULLOUGH.
The tickets are selling rapidly for John Nc
Calloughs performances at Portland Theatre
to be given tomorrow and Saturday evenings.
Mr.. Mccullough has never appeared in Port
land since he became a star, but in the winter
of 1860-61 when English was manager of Deer
ing hall, Mr.. Mccullough visited Portland
with John Wilkes Booth. who played a star
engagement here, and appeared at Booths
benefit He was then an aspirant
ITO fortune and to fame unknown"
The plot of Vlrginius, in which Mr.. McCul.
Tough will appear Friday, is as follows
About 450 b. c., Lucius Vrginius, IA man of
humble rank, and serving as centurion, or
captain, in the Roman army, had beautiful
daughter named Virginia, after her father
The latter was absent from Rome with the
army, aud had lett his motheriess daughter un-
der the protection of Icilius TO whom she was
Detrothed. Appius Caudius, at that time one
of the Decemvirs who constituted the govern
ment, fell madly in love with the girl. To
bring her into his power Marcus Claudius.
client of Appius, swore before the tribunal of
Decemvirs that Virginia was the daughter of
one OF his slaves whom the childless wife of
Vireinius had imposed upon the latter at her
birth.
On her way to school she was seized and
brought before the Decemvirs, who gave her
to her pretended master, the brutal arcus.
This was resented by Iciius who melted the
populace to an outbreak and Appius ordered
the girl sent to his Own house. During the
night preceding the final inquiry the father,
Vlrginius, arrived from the army. He appear
ed in the forum on the day OF the trial and gave
his testimony as to the parentage of the girl,
denying the false statements of the tool of APP
Plus. notwithstanding this, however, she was
ordered to be seized and delivered to Marcus.
Virginius, in despair, snatched knife from
butcher who was standing near and smote his
daughter dead. Wild tumult filled the streets
and the mob of plebians pursued Caudlus
from the forum to his palace. Virginius then
appealed to the army fOi revenge, and under
his lead they marched TO Rome. The Deem
virs resigned and the Senate decreed the restor-
alton of the Tribunes. Claudius was imprson-
ed and died. Thus a government was over
thrown and q tyrant brought 10 lnfamy and
death by an attack on an innocent school girl.
THE LYcEUM.
A large audience was present at the Lyceum
Theatre last night, and were delighted with
the entertainment. The Morello Brothers and
Harry Richmond are drawing cards
NOTES.
Miss Margaret Bryant will make her public
debut in New York at Mr. Frederick
Archer's organ concert at Chickering Hall
Feb. 18th.
The Pail Mall Gazette makes the following
allusion to Miss Genevieve Ward. "In the
cnafACG6r OF Ot6pnaul0 La MOnrlVart, tn6
woman capable of an action entirely base, re-
lentless in her purpose, deaf to all appeal, and
accessible to no emotion higher than physical
fear, Miss Ward has obtained a triumph such
as SELDOM attends an aitisuc career. Few cities
in England or America are there in which her
performances has not been seen; altogether
worthy is it of its reputation. In the passages
of irony and invective Miss Ward rises to abso-
lutte greatness, and the whole is thoughtful
and finished in no ordinary degree. The pi =
turesque effect is aided by series of superb
| dresses"
The approaching production of "Micaela" at
tn Standard in New York, is already near
enough to excite interest and some particulars
| of the cast, etc., are known. Mr.. Duff has en-
| gagged Mr. George Sweet, the baritone, who is
fitted with part said TO be most suitable TO his
voice and style of acting. Mr.. Ryley has a
| highly humorous role, very much in harmony
with bis peculiar manner. Miss Marie Conron
will create the title role written for the prima
| donna), and Miss Vernona Jarbeau, formerly
| known at this theatre Hebe, IN "Pinafore,'
| returns to impersonate Josephs, the soubrette
| of the new opera. Mrs. Fred Williams has
| been engaged for the character of Dona Scho-
| lastica. The progress already made in the re-
| hearsals is sufficient to indicate the probable
effect OF the work, which is said to De satsfac-
| tory TO the management, who announce an in
| teDtlon to Guido the previous efforts at the
| Standard III brilliancy of costumes, scenery,
etc. The chorus will number fifty VOICES, and
| the orchestra thirty musicians, besides mil "a
| ry band On the stage.