The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-23
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THAT OPERA HOUSE.

Whenever any opera company of estab-
lished merit, or a dramatic company of more
than usual ability, appears in Portland the
cry is always heard "why don't we have an
opera house" and the statements are made
that movements are on foot to build one.
some gentlemen have subscribed sufficient
sum for the purpose, or the syndicate has
picked out building lot. This thing has
gone on ever since the time when Tostee,
and the French Opera Company, visited
Portland ami several of the guarantors lost
pot of money, because our music loving citi-
zens were too few at that time who were pre-
pared to patronize class of amusement-or
an operate school-they either did not UNI
derstand, or, If they did understand didn't
want to see or hear Since that day Port
land has grown considerably in numbers
the town has recovered in great measure
from the blighting influences of the great
fire from which it was then sufferer: more
frequent and rapid communication has been
afforded between Portland and the great
cities and between the towns in Maine and
Portland; and, what is of still more yalue
the education of people In music-widened
by the many instrumental and vocal clubs
and the great number of teachers and nm
plis-makes opera popular and profitable
mere. 30 with the drama. A frst-rate ac-
tor, or an excellent melodrama, like "Jim,
the Penman," is sure to do good business.
There was time. not so long ago, when a
theatre with stock company was on a fair
iy paying business footing, and probably
would have been very successful but for cir
cumstances. generally known--and that need
tQd bara ;ol,
back ten years.
We bring the subject up now because in
the production of many pieces, dependent
largely upon fine scenic effect and aces
series. our music lovers have been deprived
of these effects
ine Bostonians couldn't put Dorothy,
on the stage as it should have been, for they
had only room enough for their people The
beautiful scene representing the great hall in
Squire Bantam's country house, with the
broad flights of stairs ON either side, wind
ing up 70 the second story, and lighted by
great branches of candelabra; the hall itself
with Its wide old-fashioned fire place, with
guns, deers antlers, and other symbols of
tne chase, hung over the mantel, was neces-
saIiiy wanting. And yet these things add
greatly TO the effect. And so with the scene.
representing the waving fields of grain in
the distance, in which the villagers are in
PRODUCED, 1t was necessarily omitted.
n .Mlgnon' the, important gypsy scene
mad TO be very much curtsiled because the
properties couldn't go on the stage. These
scenic effects draw numbers to the theatre
for the pictorial effect who otherwise say,
On don't want to see the piece here. III |
walt until get to New York or Boston,"
There Is still another reason, and cogent
one for new theatre. Portland Theatre
was never built for that purpose, it was
erected long ago, and It is lacking in many
FEATURES te. tnat look to the personal comfort Of
me patrons Of the entertainments. So with
City Hall People will go far more frequent
~ 10 place OF amusement where they can |
De seated In a comfortable chair. and have
good ventilation: Many people with bodily
Innrmities also find the climbing of stairs a
serious objection, and will only patronize
those theatres whose parquette floor is on
the first story.
;, 1t is our belief good theatre. located on
the ground floor, would pay It would at |
tract not only those who go any way but
Inose also who seldom, or never, attend in |
Portland for the reasons we have stated. 1t |
would attract people, with our superior
transportation facilities, who now 90 by
Portland to other cities Has Portland lost
us oid time reputation for enterprise? We
aont Delieve II. Ii some of our leading citi- |
zens would take hold the thing would be |
done at once. Smaller cities than Portland |
are astonlshed at her indifference in this |
matter.
NOTES.
Tickets for the Ryan benefit concert. to
come of at City Hall, Thursday night. can |
De procured at St0ckbridge's now.
NOV. 10Th, Miss Juch, Miss Hope Glenn.
NINE. Carreno, Lichtenburg and Leon Reach |
VIII appear in the second Stockbridge enter |
tainment.
The next attraction at the Boston Theatre
VIII be Bolossy, Kiralfy's picturesque comic
spectacle Matthias Sandorf."
Bronson Towards play will be produced
at the Boston Museum Nov. 10. 1t is 70 be |
military drama, dealing with episodes of the |
civil war. After Bronson Towards play |
nas It's run, Sweet Lavender will be pro- |
the Coquelin- Hading engagement at the
d Hollis Street Theatre, Boston, commencing |
oct ~, Is as follows: Monday Lies Pre-
eleuses Rldicules' and ''La Joie Fait Peur., |
In the first play. M. Coqaelin assumes the
part OF Mascarllle, and in the second the |
part OF Noel, an old servitor of once DOW |
erfui family. The two plays show M. Co. |
9ueiln In directly opposite characterizations. |
On tuesday evening Nine. Hading will make |
ner nrst appearance in "La Maitre de |
Forges wednesday evening, 'L'Aven- |
from the following repertoire: SLes Sur
'.Frou- Frou,', "Tartuffe,H mile. do 10 Sai,-
liere." II Etourdi," ....Jean Maries and ia
Dame aux Camelias"
ago was. filling the alto position in the Free |
street church in this city, and who was a |
pupil of Mr.. w. III. Dement'S, has since that |
Time made for herself reputation as one of |
the leading contralto soloist IN Boston. and |
Is to appear in concert in this city for the |
n npss time VERY very soon0the date to be an
Worcester and Springfield, Mass, this week. |
The BostoDians will "lay off, until after |
election.