The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-19
MUSIC AND DRAMA.

Mendelssohns 'St Paul" was first performed
at the Dusseldorf Musical Festival, May 22d,
1886. In this oratorio MendelssOhn has dis
played such fund of exquisite originality, and
such dignity and Solemnity, in his treatment Of
this previously almost neglected branch of COM
position that his works have been regarded as
models of oratorlo composition Bohme says
that in the Oratorio Mendelssohn has given us of
his very in the choruses, as for instance
''Now this man ceaseth not' "Stone him to
Death''; "Happy and blest are they" (sung at
Mendelssohns funeral in Leipsic); us this he
who in Jerusalem" and o, great are the depths"
He has given us music of the past in his admir-
able adaptations of the chorale harmonized after
the manner of Bach, as well as in the chorus,
"But our God abideth in Heaven" He has given
us modern music intermixed with "reminiscences
of Handel in the solos. Over the whole is thrown
the charm of graceful Instrumentation: graceful
ly pleading in the chorus 20 be gracious" hunbly
me-" and Infinitely touching in the cayatila BE
thou faithful unto DEATH Some critics have
claimed that Mendelssohn has too much secular
lied Bach's severe forms in St. Paul and other
compositions, and leayened sacred art with
romantic elements, whereas at the time of pro-
duction it was charged that he copied Bach too
accurately.
st. Paul was gven-or rather selections from
the oratorio-by the Haydns, assisted by the Ger
soloists were Mrs. Wetherbee, soprano; Mrs
Chas. A. Barry and Mrs. A. J. Mosher, coatralti
Mr. Samuel Thqrston, tenor; Mr.. J: L. Shaw,
Lizzie w. Dyer--now Mrs. A. NJ. mith-pianist;
and Mr.. kotzschmar, conductor. Again the ora
e Ts time Time # as beaF
here i'll eight years, and its presentation by the
Haydns was marked event in their history. De-
pendent as the society is upon the simple piano
as an accompaniment to sustain the dramatic
character of the choruses. they had an unusually
difficult task, and their marked success stamps
flalir nff0r hfnhg ant Efrnre, hnni
ming to end the chorus work showed the careful
drill which comes from Mr.. k0tzschmar's able
conductorship and corresponding application on
the part of the society. OF the solo parts, Mr.
Coyfe took the title role of St. Paul. and rendered
the part with nobility and dramatic fervor that
the part representing the great apostle The
soprano solos were creditably sustained, being
divided between Mrs. Chase and Miss Bartlett,
the former lady sustaining the first part Of the
work. The solo, 80 Jerusalem, thou that killest
the prophets" was beautifully rendered by Mrs.
Chase. Miss Bartlett's portion was finely rem .
oratorio was very small and was admirably inter
preted by Mrs. Morrison. Mr.. Stockbridge, who
smoothness, and was particularly successful in
the aria "Be thou faithful unto DEATH" The
work in its entirety. was grandiy performed and
adds to the already bright laurelS OF the Haydns.
THE GIEsE RECITAL.
The classical recital in the Stockbridge course
tomorrow night at City Hall will be one of the
most delightful concerts of the winter. Mr..
Giese's violoncelo playing in itself would be an
event in any city in the world and he will be
aided by the fine Philomela Ladies' Quartette,
and Mr.: Weber, the pleasing tenor. Seats at
Stockbridge's.
BARLOW, WILSON AND RANKIN.
AT Portland Theatre, next Saturday evening,
Jan. Esd. the mammoth minstrel company of
Barlow, Wilson & Rankin, who have been very
successful during their recent engagement in
Boston, will give one of their speciality perform.
ances. Their songs and jokes are new, the entire
programme has been made up with care, and the
acrObatic featS and other specialties are unique.
A laughable burlesque entitled The Micky-Doo
will be sure to please the audience.
OPERA SEASON.
We are to have two operas given at City Hall
the first week in February by the Mariana
English Opera Company. February Sd the ''Rose
of Castillo" by Balfe will be given, and Feb 9th
Martha by Flotow. The following will be the
cast of Rose Of Castillo:
Manuel, a muleteer, King of CASTLE,
B e. $$ $sS5: I S& S9$ ss
Pablo, an nnkeeper. ..................C. M Carlos
Evira queen Of CASTLE Miss a Eta i KiIesh
Donna Carlnin, maid of honor,
Miss HARRIET Ernst
The following will be the cast of Martha:
Martha .......................Mi Miss Eta Kileski
Nancy. Miss Gertrude Edmonds
Plunkett. Mr.. H. L. Cornell
Lionel. ............. -.......Mr. j. q. Bartlett
Sir Tristram ....................M Mr. Lon F. Brine
S S ...''. .; ~: Myr9n Giark
Laaies Of the Court farmers peasants G ' SER
want girls and huntresses by the chorus.
An orchestra of eight Boston musicians will be
provided and select chorus of IA singers. Mr.
Leon Reach will be director. The tickets are
having a great sale, and all who desire tickets
should call at Stockbridges at once.
NOTES.
THE Devils Auction will be at Portland
Theatre on the goth and 30th instant.
Nine. Alboni sang at charity concert in Paris
last week. and her voice, it is said was in superb
condition.
oratoro. Moses" which will be the great attrac-
ton of the Leipsig Gewandhaus concerts this
season. The work will be rehearsed under the
direction of the composer.
Slgnor Arditi, now conducting the grand opera
at the Boston Theatre, led at the production of
the first Italian opera in the present Boston
versary Of that production. Signor Arditi was,
Furthermore, the director In 1S47, when the first
company was brought out at the Howard
AthenRum.
Sydney Rosenfeld, the dramatic author, was
defraud and annoy John A. McCaull, the theatre
cal manager. He was held in 81 900.
An unrehearsed incident, giving rise to much
laughter, occurred at a London theatre the other
night, says the Pail Mall Gazette AT the COM
mencement of Act III Jack Sheppard is in the
condemned cell heavily ironed. Enter officer
who informs him that two visitors are without
After little chaff Jack bids the turnkey 'show
'em in.n Upon the attempted exit of the latter
the young lady who plays the part found to her
refused to open. After yainly trying for few
moments to get off she turned an appealing look
to Miss Farren, who, as Jack Sheppard, promptly
the gaoler out was too funny, and the hoase
roared. The door still remained firm, and at
length Jacks friends had to make an entry from
the sides, greeted with laughter and the gag from
Miss Farren, $50 you've come in the back way?'