The Portland daily press., 1884-03-11
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MARGARET MATHER.

Miss Margaret Mather was greeted by large
and brilliant audience last evening at Portland
Theatre, on which occasion she made her first
appearance in this city as Julia, in Knowles
familiar play Of "The Hunchback," role
which has been assumed here by many Of the
leading actresses of tie American stage. Miss
Mather's portrayal of the character was an I'M
even effort, but, as whole, it was to be highly
commended for many excellencies. Ia the
more dramatic situations Miss Mather was at
her best. In the comedy scenes she was not SO
happy. The lady has grace and beauty, but
she lacks repose and has not go. that airiness
of manner, or that sincerity in the earlier love
scenes, which imparts its magnetism to her
audience. For that reason she failed to awak-
en- enthusiasm until the third act, where Mas
ter Walter has received the letter from Sir
Thomas Clifford and tears it to pieces before
Julia's eyes. In this scene Miss Mather's atti-
tude and expression were exceedingly fine, and
won, as they deserved, call before the cur
tain. In the celebrated scene with Sir Thomas
Clifford in the fourth act Miss Mather was
very strong in places, in others weak But the
weakness seemed owing more TO circumstances
her own. Her petite figure was unable to give
that force and majesty to the famous words,
"My honor, STRIP
that a woman of greater physique and taller
figure could accomplish. The audience was
evidently wrought up to high pitch of excite
ment and called the lady three times to the
front at the close of the act.
OF the support Mr.. Levick was, of course, a
capital, traditional Master Walter, Mr.. Salvini
an earnest, conscientious Sir Thomas, and the
other characters were acceptable.
Tonight "Leah," in which Miss Mather is
seen at her best.
MISS BROWNS READING.
The large and critical audience which gath
cred in City Hall at the Y. M. G. A. entertain
ment last evening must have been convinced
that the high reputation Miss Nella F. Brown
bears as an elocutionist is richly merited OF
fine personal appearance and gracious presence
her first impression upon an audience is most
favorable. Her humorous delineations of New
England life in the old time husking scene and
the "Deacon's Confession were greeted with
prolonged applause. In her pathetic story of
"Sim's Little Girl" Miss Brown surpassed ex-
pectation even and many in the audience were
moved to tears A slight cold, although not
marring the effect, nevertheless was mott ceable
as an interruption.
Mrs. Alice earle Seaver, the &C complshed
contralto, is SO we'll and favorably known
among us as singer, that comment on any per-
Torrance of hers is perhaps unnecessary. In
her rendition of "No Sir" she fairly excelled
herself and was enthusiastically encored. Miss
Adams, in her piano solo and Accomplishments,
was excellent, aud merited the applause so
literally bestowed.
WEBER CLUB CONCERT.
There should be large audience gathered at
the Young Mems Christian Association Hall
tomorrow evening. The Weber Club have Sc
lected an admirable programme. Mrs. Fannie
HAYES is one of the best soprano singers in
New England, and Mrs. Alice Carle-Seayer is
q popular oontra,to. The object Of the concert
is an excellent one.
Mr.. Frederic Archer's paper, the Keynote,
makes vigorous attack upon the encore NUS
ance, for which it holds performers to be as re-
sponsible as audiences are. IT says, in alludine
to the fact that the selection encored is seldom
repeated, that IAN encore song as generally
understood IN the present day resembles an
Irish Echo. which has not the faintest re-
semblance to the original sounds that are sup
posed to have awakened it into life.''
Frau Amalia Friedrich Materna, Herr Her.
man Winkelmann and Herr Emil Scaria, the
soprano, tenor and basso, who are to take part
il she Wagasriesaigal concerts in Boston dur.
ing the week beginning April IA, win sail fol
New York from Liverpool on the 29th inst.
and will reach Boston about week before the
concerts begin. These artists, Shom Wagner
regarded as the greatest living opponents of his
works, will be supported by Emma Juch, So
prano, Emily sWinant, contralto, Theodore
Toedt, tenor, and Franz Remmertz, basso,
with others, a large chorus, the New York
Liederkranz and the Thomas orchestra, the
performances being given under the direction
of Mr.. Theodore Thomas
Mr.. Augustin Days well known and excel
lent company will go to England the coming
summer for a season of two months at Toole's
Theatre, London. They will be under the
management of Mr.. William Terriss, new the
leading man in Mr.. Irviug's company. They
will leave here on July s on the Alaska, and
opep in London on Julv 49,