The Portland daily press., 1883-08-30
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE BRYANT CONCERT.

THE BRYANT CONCEkT.
Miss Margaret Bryant has good reason to feel
proud of the complimentary concert rendered
her last evening at High street church, for it
was one of the most thoroughly satisfactory
entertainments that has ever been given in
Portland Not only were all the participants
artists OF repute, but they were at their best,
and the various numbers ON the programme
we're so we'll selected that Notwithstanding
the excessive number Of encores, there was
nothing ''draggy" about the entertainment.
but all passed off with great life and spirit. 1t
was also pleasant matter of fact that of all
the six ladies and gentlemen, four were born
and brought up in Maine, only two-Misses
Beebe and Radecki- being foreign to our soil.
II, thirty years ag =. it had been predicted that
four Maine people would make SO decided
musical reputation that the largest and most
fashionable audiences in the country would
strive for the best seats to hear them, the
prophet would have been well laughed at. Yet
Mrs. Raymond has national reputation; Mr.
Beckett IS better known now in New York
Philadelphia or Boston than in his native CITY;
Miss Bryant has been heard with delight by
the most cultivated people of the metropolis;
oAAoS
pianists known to any city, and MIR. Stock
bridges sweet tenor is familiar to all residents
of Maine.
Although Miss Bryant was the beneficiary
last night, it is but just that we should give
the first place to Mrs. Raymond How heartily
she was Welcomed How delightful it was to
hear that noble voice once againl She sang
fully as well as at her last concert in City Hall,
the volume of her voice as great, the rich,
deep notes yelling forth grandly in that old
favorite, "The Lost Chord" With how much
enthusiasm she was recalled, and how fervidly
she sang for her encore "My love is like sea-
bird" 1t was, indeed, worth while to be sell
fish on such a occasion and draw from her all
the music that in her generosity she was will
ing to bestow.
Miss Bryant has fully euuallel expectation.
Her voice has increased in volume and in rich
ness of tone, and, in the duet with Miss Carey,
Roma, by shutting the eyes 1t seemed al
most as if the one voice was a repetition of the
other on q lesser scale. In her trio OF German
songs she displayed great sympathetic quality
in BendePs he'd. For encores she gave "Pan-
| chinilo' with much spirit. All the good
things Mr.. Frederic Archer said of Miss Bry-
ants singing We're fully borne out last night.
Miss Beebe possesses clear, brilliant sopra-
no of considerable power, and style and exc
cution of tae best. She gave the Islands
ODee" with dramatic power, but her encore
ballad was especially bright and happy
Miss Radecki is one of the most agreeable
pianist in the concert room. She plays with
an ease and grace that is very taking Her
style is flowing and she interprets Chopin's
music SO inielligently and POLITICALLY it is pity
all of our musicians could not hear her. She
accepted an encore in quiet, lady-like way
that was very pleasing.
Mr.. Beckett's voice has deepened and broad
| ened and his method is delightful. His rem
| dering of "Jack's Yam" was redolent of the
sea and took immensely. 1t is pity he can
| not be heard oftener in his native city. Mr..
| Stockbridge's sweet tenor was heard only In
| the grand closing quartelte from "Rigoletto,"
| but with great effect.
Perhaps the most delightful number on the
| programme was the two from "Eliiah" sung
| by Mrs. Raymond, Misses Beebe and Bryant.
| 1t was especially suited to the church and it
| not only displayed the artistic method of the
singers but brought out the beautiful qualities
| of their voices la marked degree
No little of the success of the entertainments
was due 10 Miss O'Brion's admirable accom-
panimeuts.
| The platform was pretty decorated with
| plants and tiowering shrubs, aud beautiful
! bouquet was presented to Miss Bryant.
LIGHTS o. LYNDON
| Golfers Lights o. London Company will
! present this powerful spectacular melo drama
at Portland Theatre on Monday. The Buffalo
Courier says:-"The bitter cold of last night
did not deter a large crowd from attending the
performance of the Lights o. London by the
Shook & Collier company at the opera house.
The play is one of the strongest of the recent
| productions of celebrated English melodrama-
tic writers, writ en- especially with view to
scenic effect and the introduction of stage me-
| chanisn and ingenuity not necessary O, essen
tial TO the success of light dramatic works
The plot of Lights O. London has continuity,
the characters are well developed, and the
scenes add slt1saiGEs III stf1Kiug anu sshsAp.
| stage pictures, and excites and holds the inter
/ es OF the auditors from the opening of the
nrst act until the closing scene of its represen-
tation. Lavish promises had been made of
gorgeous scenic display, and faithfully were
tney fulfilled, the production of last night
being marked by wealth of Suggesting sell
| dom witnessed in cities of this size"