The Portland daily press., 1889-05-22
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
RoBEET DOMINIC.

1t is positive delight to see "the legitim-
ate" take its proper place on our theatre
boards after the long run of modern farce
comedies and society plays, and tits especial
ly agreeable to witness virile drama like
that of ''St Mare" which Wilkins has writ
ten and Manager Mack has had the keen
dramatic sense to buy and put Robert Down.
ing into the title role.
The play is laid in the middle ages, and
deals with the profiigate court of Lorenzo
of Modena. 1t runs in the same groove that
marks historical dramas of the period, is
well written, and we'll constructed, affording
several excellent parts, all of which are
filed by actors of ability and pronounced
repute. Meredith takes the character of the
fanatic Count Gismoiido, and handles it with
great skill and power Herman, who was
Salvini's leading man. takes the part of the
prince with much ability. The role of Count
Rosario, the princes go-between. is played
with taste and finish by Mr.. I'll. d. Byers,
while the ladies, Miss Eugene Blair and
Helen Tracy, are respectively good as st.
Mares wife and the Lady Theresa.
Downing Is admirable as st. Marc, the
brave soldier of the time, who dependent
ON his sword, has married a noble lady. His
line physique, his rich, deep enjoyable voice,
his delightful elocution, his pat6os, fire and
manliness, in the various scenes where he
shows his faith, in his ( wife, defes
rce ns prblnse his oys and prepares SHls f. t. sac
dience captive, and in the exciting climaxes
so stirs them as to cause his call before the
curtain amidst thunders of applause. Down
ing Is young man, he has gifts that older
actors well may envy, bat he must keep
that once fixed hide many good qualities.
One of those is posing" Attitudes are all
right and proper at proper occasions, but
when INDUCED in too frequently they lose
their value.
Tonight Downing will appear in his great
character of "Spartacus" and the theatre
should be jammed There has already been
great advance sale. 1t Is very rarely that
such play is put on the boards in Portland
with such actors as support, as Meredith,
Herman, Misses Blair and Tracy, not to
mention the other good people In the cast
THE GILMORE JUBILEE CONCERT.
1t is rarely so remarkable series of at
fractions is offered the public of Portland in
one entertainment as that to be presented
June 10th, by the celebrated bandmaster,
| Gilmore. Not only will be heard his magni-
| hcent band of ffty-four musicians, many OF
them soloists of great reoute, but some of
| the most celebrated vocal artists in the
world. To give the two concerts proposed
would De Impossible, II 1t were not that MI.
Gilmore takes In Portland as break on the
road from Boston to Montreal The ticket
are selling rapidly at Stockbridge's.
THE sTocKBRIDGE CoURsE.
Tomorrow the Temple Quartette and other
artists will give the closing entertainment
10 the course. This entertainment is In
place of Nye and Riley, who will not appear
this season. Good seats at Stockbridge's.
This is what the Boston Times says OF
Miss l.. G. Smith: Miss Lillian CARL Smith
met with unqualified success at the Malone,
n. Y, festival last week. Her rendition of
the contralto parts In "Elijah" was one OF
the most artistic features of the festival. AT
the close Of her aria 'Oh,. Rest in the Lord, y
conductor, orchestra and chorus Joined the
audience in giving Miss Smith an ovation.
This Is her second appearance in Malone this
season. She sings In Plattsburg next week
In Judas Maccab@us" and five miscellane
GUS concerts"