The Portland daily press., 1884-05-06
Ia Common Council.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE THOMAS CONCERT.


disappointment, in that there was too little
Thomas orchestra. The result of last evenings
entertainment only deepens the impression
that too many vocalists only serve to detract
from the value of an orchestral concert. Then
again the Wagner numbers cannot produce
the effect the composer intended when heard
without the proper stage arrangements, scenery
aud costumes; when, as one writer has aptly
put it, little musical pictures are presented,
instead Of an entire opera. Wagner himself
has always insisted on the continuity of his
works, and that the music shall not be separ-
ated flom the dramatic action it is intended to
illustrate. When, therefore, in ode Wal
kiire," we have Sigismunds loye.song and
Wotan's Farewell placed before us without, as
it were, any especial connection, and without
the andience-as a whole--possessng any
knowledge of the story of the Ring of the
Niebelungs, they fail to excite great interest
In the many. They succeed however in show
ing to the few that the composer is possessed
OF great Imaginative power and poetic tenn
permanent, especially in the love-song. Here
the Volsungi love-motive is found, recurring
in the second part OF the song beginning on
the flutes and reeds just as the violins and
harps begin their waving arpeggi. In this
song there are sixty measures of beautiful
melody, and these were sung by the orchestra
last night IN accompaniment, as we'll as by
Mr. Toedt whose tenor is pleasant and who
sings with good expression and method.
Wotan's Farewell was given with dignity and
straight directness and force by Mr.. Rem
mertz, who possesses bass well suited to the
exactions of Wagner.
There were, however, two numbers on the
programme which deserved the highest praise
the grand Symphony in G minor of Beetho-
VEINS, ard Berlioz' "Damnation of Faust
The first Henschel presented here, but he
adopted tempo much faster than customary
which robbed the andante movement, in the
opinion OF many, OF much of its dignity and
sweetness. Certainly it could not have re-
ceived more mastery treatment than on this
occasion; from beginning to end the listener
sat entranced. The Berlioz selection was
quaint, bizarre, full OF odd effects and the
close OF the minuet, with its pidniSSinlo finale
was one of the loyeiest things ever heard
here.
Miss Juch is not only pretty woman but
she has delightfully."- clear, pure soprano with
perfect method, aad she sang the s'Lorelei''
so charmingly that the audience tried, with
all the force of their applause, to make Mr..
Thomas break his rule and allow an encore,
but he was inexorable. Miss Winant's con-
tRalto, heard here a short time ago. was not
heard to as much satisfaction in Dyorak's
"Infiammatus," neither did Mr.. RemmertZ's
voice give as much pleasure in the Pogner's
Address from "Die Meistersinger'' as in
"Wotan's Farewell
Inc audience was large and appreciative.
THE RoMANY RYE.
There was fair-sized audience at Portland
Theatre last evening to see the play of
'fRomany Rye" From the scene of the gypsy
encampment to the wreck of the Saratoga"
the audience was held in high state of ex-
element, and as "Jack Hearne'' and "Gerti
Heckett" are followed through such a VARIETY
OF scenes there is nothing whatever that is
tlresome about the play. A beautiful and
affecting scene occurs at the store of the bird
fancier during the conversation between Gertie
and her grandfather, Joe Heckett. All parts
are we'll taken. and "Boss Knivett' is ever
appearing ridiculous and keeping the house in
good spirits at the proper time. The play is to
be repeated three more nights aud deserves
good house each time.
BARLOW, WILSON & co.
Barlow, Wilson and their fine company will
return to City Hall tomorrow event ing, and
will be welcomed by a large and fashionable
audience. All who attended their performance
here In January will be pleased to read this
strengthened somewhat since then, and now
includes the famous comedian, Hughey
Dougherty, also the wonderful daucer, Chas
queen. Besides other new acts which they will
introduce in their programme, will be seen
the laughable satire our national game of
"Base Ball." with Hughey Dougherty as The
unbiased umpire.
In compliance with requests from holders of
tickets to Chandler's Band concert, reserved
sent checks can be obtained at Chambers
music store on and after Wednesday, for a
slight advance, on presentation of tickets.