The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-04-08
MUSIC AND DRAMA.



The "Tin Soldier" drew another excellent
house at the theatre last night. Mr.. Chas. H.
Hoyt the author of the play, was called before
the curtain at the close OF the second act and
presented with an elegant floral tribute in the
form of Tyre about three feet in height. from
his friends in this city.
Those who intend attending the Thomas con-
cert should get seats ct StocSbridge's without
delay
The receipts at the operatic festival 10 Chi
cago amount to $4,000. "Semiramide' was
given Monday night to a crowded house, With
Patti and Scalchi in the cast
The German opera opened at the Boston
Theatre Monday night. The Prophet" was
Bplsndidly given.
The newly furnished and rsmodsled Lyceum
Theatre, New York, opened with "Dakolar"
Monday night. The reallRsarprising novelty
in the construction of the theatre, ami one that
has already created much attention, is the or
chestra car. The stage curtain opens dsclos-
ing the orchestra OF % men in place, seated
upon O platform about six feet in DEPTH but
extending the width of the stage. As the
music ceases two curtains hanging on the sideg
OF the proscenium frame pass slowly across the
opening in front of the players. As these cur
tains cross each other and loop up on the two
sides, the orchestra car has disappeared and
the stage is ready for the performance. The
transformation scene takes only 25 seconds, and
is veryliDgenions work of deception. The
car moves up to the flies on the elevator prin-
ciple, and the scenery is arranged on what ia
known technically as the flip system. The in
vention is unique, and the principal use be-
sides sesthetic beauty is the economizing of
space. The patent programme is another nov
city. 1t is in the shape of lead pencil, but in
place of lead it has steel spring, and from
long slit down the side of the pencil projects
the edge of piece of paper muslin, on which
the programme is printed. When the bill ia
consulted it is pulled out, and after use ii snaps
back into the pencil.
Social appreciation was evinced at belmont
co.'s Monday night when gathering represent
ing the best in Americanism and culture as
sembled to speed Mr.. irving heartily though
not without regret. The Company that sat
down to the tables was remarkable for the
eminence in some phase of art, literature, law.
politics or trade OF each of its members The
large dining room was decorated with unusual
brilliancy and the whole scene was Charming.
There were temples and harps in coDfection-
cry, flowers in beds and tubs, lamps shedding
colored rays, flags and banners festooned about
the walls and vast numbers of lighted candles.
directly in front of the chairman was won
drous piece OF sugar architecture, with round
white tablets, perhaps three inches in diane
ter, each displaying in red letters the name of
one OF Mr.. Irving's characters. Shylock Ham,
let, Eugene Aram, Benedict, Louis XVI,
Charles First, Malvolio, Matthias, Duloz and
Doricourt were all named. 1t was about 745
when the company collected at the ia bles At
the banquet Senator Eyarts presided and at
his left sat the guest of the evening Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher occupied the chair on
the other side of Mr.. Evarts. Other gentlemen
at the chairman's table were Hon. Chas Fran
cis,Adams, Jr., Chief Justice Noah Davis of
the United States Supreme Court, Samuel d.
Babcock, ex-President of the Chamber of Com
merce, Charles A. Dana and Parke Goodwin,
Or. Fordyce Barker, Gen. Horace Porter, Hon,
Reuben Il. Fenton. ex-Lieut. Gov. VIM Dor
shelmer and Marshal McMichael of the Dis
trict of Columbia