The Portland daily press., 1888-01-19
MUSIC AND DRAMA,
THE SYMPHONY CONCERT.

THE SYMPHONY CONCERT.
The last of three concerts in the Stock
bridge course by the Boston Symphony
Orchestra was given at City Hall last even
ing. Those who had read the programme,
published in yesterdays PRESS, and thought
they wouldn't attend because they were
afraid that the makeup was too severe,
made great mistake. Not only were all
the numbers well chosen but the concert
was, if anything, too brief.
On this occasion Mr.. Kneisel led as here
tofore in place of Mr.. Gerieke, and we wish
to say here that the latter named gentle
mans absence was due to his bodily condi-
ton and not to any feeling of pique 1t is no
doubt true that, good conductor as Mr..
Kneisel is, the orchestra, TO be heard at its
best requires the guidance of the master
hand.
A feature of last evenings concert, that
seemed in perfect harmony with the sur
roundings, was the appearance Of Mr.; Fritz
is nc doubt that, to many, the engagement
of a lady vocalist is very attractive, but,
from a strictly musical point of view where
one goes to hear an orchestral concert, such
as the Boston Symphony Orchestra fur
nishes, one cannot get too much of the in
strument. Mr.. Giese's cluster of pieces was
admirably selected, each in striking contrast
to the other, displaying deep pathOs, bright
ness, grace and airiness in turn, while from
technical point he left nothing to be de-
sired.
OF the selections by the orchestra, the
Brahms overture was very odd; the Dvorak
Aduqi0 full of color; the Saint-Saens SYM
phonic poem of "Phaeton" interesting, as
such compositions are apt to be; the MED
itation" on theme from Faust" full of
expression; the Bach gavotte, bright and
tripping; and the programme fifty termin-
ated with the grand overture from Tam
hauser," so many times given here, and al
ways fav0rite.
be given February LIST by the Haydns, ac-
companied by the Boston Germanians.
WILLIAM j. FLORENCE.
On next Monday and Tuesday evenings
Mr.. William J. Florence, who has not Wis
tied our city for four years, win again de-
light our fun-loving people at the Portland
Theatre. On Monday evening he will pro-
duce the double bill of Husband Hunt
ing" and "Dombey and Son." and on Tues
day evening his latest success, "The Flirt. !"
Mr.. Florence is without doubt one of the
greatest comedians on the stage today; an
actor who can play any and all kinds Of
parts, and play them well. We have yet to
read an unfriendly criticism of his acting in
any piece he has ever played The plays he
will produce here are the best in his roper
toire, and the characters entirely different
from anything he has ever done here before,
except his great character of Captain Cutie,
which so charmed his audience on the occa-
sion of his last visit. The public look for
ward to couple of evenings of pleasure in
seeing him IN something new.
NOTES.
Frank Mayo's 'Nordeck" company was on
the Erie train that was disabled on Tues
day, and several actors were hurt. Miss
Frances Graham had an ankle dislocated
and back sprained; Edwin Nolen. left hand
crushed and afterwards amputated; Neil
through window and badly bruised about
the head and face; Lawrence Johnston,
right arm broken; J. c. Harvey, head badly
cut with glass.