The Portland daily press., 1883-01-06
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
IOLANTHE.

IoLANTHE.
Gilbert and Sullivan's new opera of "Iolan-
the" was Rgoduced at Portland Theatre last
evening by e. E. Rice's new company and
thoroughly delighted the large, brilliant and
fashionable audience which was composed, in
considerable measure, of musicalspeople. The
music of "Iolanthe'' is not of the ear-tickling
order which prevails in "Pinafore," but there
is certain rhythmical swing, the melodies
are well formed, the harmonies are thoroughly
worked ont, and the orchestral scoring is de-
lightful. The libretto is, of course, in Gilberts
usual vein. The wit is brilliant, the satire
keen, while the construction is similar to that
which has pervaded all this authors works,
from the first to the present. The most alb
surd ideas and situations occur, side by side
with the gravest topics, and the argumenta-
tive manner in which they are written gives
an appearance of possibility to the most ridi-
culous assertions. 1t is certain that "Iolanthe'
in musical construction and story will take
rank among the best compositions Of the kind
known to the stage.
The plot of The opera it is unnecessary to re-
peat here. 1t is exceedingly quaint and hap
PLY carried out. The audience, last evening,
was little cool at first-perhaps the atmosphere
had something to do with than-but gradually
warmed up until, before the close of the first
act, it was decidedly demonstrative. Some of
the numbers were delicious, and received i'm
perative encores, among them the duet by
Phyllis and Strephon, the song by the Lord
ChaDcellor-who convulsed his hearers by his
apropos illusions to the prohibitory law, and
the weather-the march, LOUDLY let the
trumpet Bray" by male chorus and brass
band, the ensemble Unto Parliament he
shall Co. in the first act, and the
Queens song "Oh! Foolish Fay,' the
quartette by Phyllis, Tolloler, Mt Aararat,
and private Willis, the waltz trio by the
Chancellor, Tolloller and Aararat, and the
ballad, HE loves" in the second act, while
the ensemble at the end of the second act
should have been.
AS to the manner in which opera was
presented we must speak iu the high terms.
Signor DeNovellis, late director of the Strak-
osch Opera Troupe, conducted the excellent
little orchestra of eight pieces. who played
with good taste and considerable finish. At
times the conductors foot was heard, but that
40 SOACldiAJ a hCSOccdlJ OflA cO carly III d COn-
pany's career, and only when the foot was
compelled to take the place of the baton. The
choruses were excellent and given with great
spirit and precision. OF the principals Miss
Ida Mule, who was heard here with the Hay-
erlys Children Pinafore Company proved one
one of the most piquant, graceful Phyllis's
imaginable. Her voice was sweet and pleas
ant and her acting was charming. Miss Rose
Dana IOanfhA Dla0ainO Miss
Somerville, as the Fairy Queen, was immense
and had a sweet, though not strong voice
which she managed with much skill. Mr..
Delorme sang Strephon's music well, and Mr..
Gilbert as the Lord Chancellor was very
amusing. Messrs Allison and Thomas as Toll
loller and Aararat were capital, and Messrs.
Evans and Cohen in the small parts of private
Willis, and the trainbearer, deserving of a
word of praise.
The opera was richly costumed, and the
stage pictures produced by the elegantly dress
cd and artistic grouping illuminated by the
calcium light, the finest scene here since the
grand ballet in the "Voyagers in Southern
seas" This was especially the case in the
cathedral scene in the second act. The Gren-
adler Guards band rendered their music admir-
ably and we thought We recognized several
familiar faces among them. The matinee this
afternoon will commence at 80 The house
should, and doubtless will be crowded, and
the evening performance tonight deserves a
packed house.
Mr.. and Mrs. W. J. Florence will appear at
Portland Theatre the 18th and 18th, probably
in 1.-THE Mighty Dollar for which there is
very great request here
The greatest parade, the greatest song and
clog dancers, the greatest educated fowl, the
greatest drummer, the greatest brass band, the
greatest rooster, the greatest tenor singer, the
greatest female chorus, the greatest so negro
performers, the greatest army of colored talent
in this astonishing country will be produced,
with not thing left out, at Callender's great
show on Tuesday evening OF January 9th, at
Portland Theatre.
Willie Edouin has got it so fixed that he
plays the Photographer in the second act of
Dreams and has lot of new business and
lines, and altogether is serenely happy and
makes his audience likewise By the altera
tions, Miss Alice Anterior is brought into
greater prominence in the piece than before,
and with her admirable portraits of prom
inent people fairly divides the boDors with
Mr.. Edouin. Powers, little Powers, is just as
funny as ever, and the hosts of friends he
made when he danced off couple of pounds
of flesh per night in order to delight his
patrons, will be glad to see him again. Miss
Brevoor, Mr.. Mitchell and the other members
of the company fill their respective roles adj
mirably.
The concert reception given in honor of Sig.
Tommasso Salvini by Mr.. L. d. Ventura. took
place at the Hotel Vendome Thursday after
noon. The affair was under the patronage and
superintendent of the following named ladieF
and gentlemen: Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Mrs.
James I. Fields, Miss Susan Hale Mrs. j. NJ.
Bell, Mrs. james Lodge, Mrs John L. Gard
ner, Dr., Mrs. G. d. Howe, Mrs. E. e. Pratt,
Mr. Nathan Appleton, Mr.. Jose M. Aguajo,
vice consul of Italy, Mr.. G. r. Sullivan, Mr..
j. w Wolcott, Mr.. j. D. Henley Luce. The
occasion was of great interest to the four hun
dred ladies and gentlemen present.