The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-07
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE IDEALS.


The Stockbridge course of 1867 opened
most auSpiciously at City Hall last evening.
The audience was not only as brilliant a one
as is ever seen at place of entertainment in
Portland, but it also embraced a yerv large
proportion of our best known musical peo-
pie. Every seat was occupied, and every
foot OF room economical. Mr.. Stockbridge
at MS own expense, had carpeted all the
alsles, so that not football was heard to
break the spell of the music, and had pro-
vlded every usher, libretto and programme
boy with badges, by which excellent ar
rangement ticket-holders were speedily seat
ed, and there was no unseemly books of the
opera" cry to jar ON sensitive ear.
The entertainment offered last evening
consisted of the Ideal Opera Company in
Barnicot's Victor the Blue Stocking" also
known under the name of 'Fanchette" The
scene of the opera is laid in Paris at the time
of the taking of the Bastile, an era that af-
fordS opportunity for most picturesque
mounting and dressing, which was well inn
proved by the management. The opera
itself, though lights exceedingly melodious,
the music is bright and sparkling and the
dance and chorus near the close of the
third act that has much of the character and
go of an Irish jig, and it created quite
furore, there is very taking waltz move
ment at the end of the second act that was
heartily applauded; there is trio sung by
Fanchette, Misses Huntington and Lablocke
in the first act that is particularly pleasing,
and had to be repeated. Another thing, that
added greatly to the evenings endowment
was the delightful orchestration. There
were effects from the French horn, the piccolo
and other instruments that highly enhanced
the rendering of several of the numbers, and
the orchestra, as whole, was so well drilled
and under such good control of the conduc-
tor, Mr. Studley, that to listen to them alone
was pleasure. Having such veteran stage
manager as Mr.. Williams, who is a fortune
to any company, all the stage groupings and
settings were artistic, and everything went
off with promptness and good taste.
Mile. de Lussan was the Fanchette. She
was not only charming; she was irresistible.
The part fitted her like a glove. Her beau
tiful, flexible soprano was not only heard to
great advantage in the solos and concerted
music but her acting fascinated every one.
all the piquancy, all the chic that is a dis
tinguishing characteristic of her race. Her
letter scene was very arch, and her shake of
the head was something captivating. No
one, to our knowledge. could be more pleas
ing in the role. Miss Agnes Huntingdon, as
Celestine, gave her music with good effect
| and her song in the second act, ''They say
| that IN pretty" received, as it deserved, an
encore: Miss Lablache kindly took the part
OF Ulrlca She possesses powerful, we'll
intelligence. Mr.. Mcdonald was admirably
suited to the part of Victor, Mr.. Barnabee
was very amusing as the Marquis, Mr.. Mo-
rowski, the basso, captured his audience in
Sc z.,,n COLI s,,4N lnN1 Il
| drinking song, deep down in the cellar
Mr.. Lawton, the new TENOR possesses fine,
| sweet tenor voice, but it sounded rather
smothered last night, as he was evidently
very nervous ,,. it being his first appearance in
| dashing Friquette. The choruses and ensem-
bles were admirably given.
Tonight Halevys Maid of Honor" will be
produced
| sHAMUs o'BRIEN.
lie tickets are selling well for Charles
Verness performances of "Shamus O'Brien"
10 be glvsd at Portland Theatre, tomorrow
ana Saturday nights. An exchange says
Last night witnessed perfect ovation to
the universal fasorite and sterling Irish COM
edian, MT. Charles Werner a just tribute to
his brilliant talent and merit. The pro-
was was FaIled End attractive fairly
| popular taste. Every nov and then there
was pleasing variation by Mr.. Werner.
| whose Irish drolleries caused the hall to
| ring again with the laughter of the amused
| audience For cOmicalities of this descrip-
ton. Mr.. Werner beats any one we have
heard in Nelson, and his performances and
Wlttlcisms possess the great Recommendation
of being entirely free from anything ap-
| preaching vulgarity.
| WRONG RIGHTED.
| The ST. Louis Republican thus speaks of
John A Stevens, who will appear at Port
land Theatre, in 'A Wrong Righted," next
Monday and Tuesday evenings 'Stevens,
who is melo-dramatic actor of considerable
power, finds in this play abundant oppurtu-
mites for the display of all capabilities,
makes awarm place for himself in the hearts
of his audience, truly grasps all the situa-
lions in the piece, and makes of his charater
| a strong, heroic, emotional role, which will
prove a lasting merit Having surrounded
himself with first-class company he has
added strength to his own part and given to
his play an essential quantity to its sue
| cess"
NOTES.
The following will be the programme by
| Grimmer's Orchestra at Portland Theatre
| October Sth and 9th.
Oyerture--Konig Mydas (new) .....,... .Eilenberg
Selection ftom Opera Erminie new Jakobowski
Patrol-Comique. ................ .Hindley
| Neutrality-suspicious. ......................Fa Faust
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