The Portland daily press., 1886-10-09
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
L'EL1s1R D'AMoRE.

II EtiSir Gilmore" or "Adina" which
was produced at City Hall by the Ideals last
night, is one of Donizetti's happiest efforts.
Adina, country girl is beloved by Nemorino,
or young husband-man, and Belcore con-
ceited sergeant. Nemorino has heard Adina
speak of the effects of a wonderful elixir,
patent love spell, and asks the doctor, Dull
camara for it. The doctor sells him bottle
of Bordeaux wine with orders to take re-
peated doses. Full of wine Nemorino as
sumes triumphal air over Adina, and she,
angry, resolves to marry Belcore. The
sergeant being ordered away Belcore presses
Adina to marry him at once. About to COM
ply, Nemorino who is much troubled urges
Dulcamara for more elixir, but as he has no
money to pay for 1t the doctor refuses. The
wedding is postponed however owing to
Adina's caprici0usneSs, and, in the mean
time. Belcore lends Nemorino money with
which the latter buys more of the elixir.
During the same time Nemorino's uncle dies
and leaves him his fortune. Dulcamara tells
Adina how Nemorino has struggled for her
love and Adina, changing her mind, shuffieS
of Belcore and marrleS NemOrinO. The ac-
ton of the opera takes place in the province
of the Basohi. The cast last night included
Nemorino, Barnabee as Dulcamara, Clark as
Belcore, Miss Cleary as Giannetta, peasant
girl, and Miss Lovejoy as Angelo, youth.
The opera of L'Etiser Gilmore is one of
the most charming light comic operas known
to the stage. Partaking OF the buffo
nature las evidenced in the introduction of
the quack doctor, Dulcamara) and yet full of
vivacity and grace, it has held its place as
fayorite with the most exacting musical au-
diences for over half century. 1t sparkles
with piquant and gracefully florid melodies,
and abounds in trios, quartettes and other
concerted music, worked up with the great
est effect 1t is essentially dramatic in plot
and construction, and its climaxes are so
well conceived that they never fail to arouse
the enthusiasm of the audience. The great
est singers of their times have filed the va
rious roles of the opera and in them gained
a worldwide fame 1t is true that last
night, as on every night the Ideals have ap-
peared here, this company has been cramped
for room on the stage with which to give the
greatest effect to the superb dressing and
stage pictures which the manager and stage
manager have provided, and yet, despite this
drawback, those conditions failed to mar the
performance, because all the details were
so faithfully carried out in the rendering Of
the music by both principals and chorus.
Last night the company again acquitted
themselves with honor in the difficult music
intrusted to them. The finale and ensemble
near the close OF the second act were beauti-
fully shaded and the crescend0es were man
aged in admirable form. The finale to the
first act was so well handled that the cur
ldlll was lmpoldblNoly Cdll6u. Liz various
solos, trios and duets were heartily
applauded.
OF the soloists, Miss Zele de Lussan as
Adina, created a profound sensation. AS
Fanchette in Victor" on Wednesday night
she charmed and fascinated with her pi-
quaint ways, and her French chic. Last
| night she rose to much higher plane, for
not only was her acting excellent, her sing
ing shared equally in the favor of her au-
dience. She received, what musical au-
dience in Portland rarely bestow, the honor
of double encore for her finished rendering
Of her interpolated song, "There is little
bird sings sweetheart in which the capabil-
tiles of her voice were displayedto the best
advantage. Mr.. Karl acted and sung the part
of Nemorino with god effect Mr. Clark
made a dashing Belcore and was deservedly
encored after his song, "The Gay Soldier
Dulcamara, Mr.; Barnabee bore q great deal
of the weight of the opera. He not only
dressed the part fittingly, but also, by his
quaint mannerisms, kept the buffo character
up to the standard. If his voice teaderly
treated the music of the role his acting ex
cused the failing. Miss Cleary made pref
ty, lively .Giannetta. Many of the songs
were encored and the audience was highly
appreciative throughout the evening.
This afternoon Mr.. cambridge will as
sumo the part of "Victor" in that opera To-
night in Martha" Miss Stone will be the
Martha Miss Huntington, Nancy Mr.. Karl,
Lionel; Mr. cambridge, Sir TriStram; Mr..
Clark, Plunkett; Mr.. j. c. Miron, the Sher-
iff.