The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-28
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MONTE cRIsTo.

MINNIE OhlolO.
Last night Mr.. James O'Neill, the success
OF to the greatest Monte Cristo who has ever
appeared in the character, Charles Fechter,
assumed the role at Portland theatre before
large and well-pleased audience. In this
particular play there is abundant scope for
the display of Mr. O'NeilPs undoubted and
widely recognized dramatic ability. He acts,
with equal success and true to nature, the
simple sailor and the man with unlimited
credit pursuing the god-like mission of re-
warding the good and Furnishing the wicked.
The contrast which is afforded by bis appear
ance In dual role furnishes, perhaps, the
best measure of his power In either and in
both. Monte CristO, either as the hero of
Dumas wonderful creation, or as that char
acter is put upon the stage, is always a grand
and interesting subject. The main idea, or
rather the design Of the romance and its Sc
quel, and their most prominent characters
alone appear in the drama. In that respect
the original may be said to lose little Of its
merit on the stage, at least Mr.. O'Neill in the
title role In all. the play is most excellent
one. and fully deserves the success which it
has attained.
The piece last night was very well staged.
the scene in the Chateau d'If, with the fol-
lowing escape OF DanteS, being particularly
realistic. The support was fair Henry
Vernon was an acceptable Noirtier. and N.
d. Jones an amusing Caderrousse. The au-
dience was enthusiastic and called the cur
tain several times. An interesting feature
of the evening was the waltzes from Evan
geline. arranged by Grimmer and played by
his orchestra. The play will be repeated to-
night.
BENNETT MoULToN.
Boccaccio is one of the sprightliest and
most tuneful of the mary operas now pre-
sented on the stage. 1t also presents much
scenic display and rich costumes. Messrs.
Bennett & Moulton claim that their company
was never In better trim than this season,
possessing all the old favorites and several
new people who possess good voices, c0nsid-
erabe dramatic talent, and pretty faces and
figures. The sale of seats Is now going on at
the box Office of Portland theatre, and the
prices are, as usual, popular ones.
sTocKBRIDGE COURSES.
But a few weeks now remain in which to
secure choice seats in either the Regular,
Pops or Matinee courses at Stockbridge's
store. The entertainments win begin Octo-
ber 18th, and by the expenditure OF few dol
lars whole winters amusement can be Sc
cured.
Bennett & Moulton will be followed at
Portland theatre by Shadows of a Great
City," Days company, andiKiralfy's troupe
IN gorgeous spectacle.
Sir Arthur Sullivan's song, "The Lost
Chord" has already paid him $4,000 and
still has a large sale.
Tommy Elmore, three years old, of Ala
chua, Fla, is said to play the most difficult
compositions on the violin with remarkable
nicely and expression.
At the Worcester festival Miss Lillian CARL
Smith gave the aria "Ah, .Fatima," by Won
Weber, and "He Rosmed in the Fovest," by
Leary. She gave both numbers to the piano
accompaniment of Mr.. Herbert and gave an
artistic rendering Of each. Barring a slight
vibrato which Miss Smith should overcome,
she is very acceptable and pleasing addi-
tion to the festival force.
An endeavor is being made in Biddeford
and Saco to get up a party to attend the
Stockbfidge course Of lectures in Portland
this winter. If one hundred will agree to
attend a special train can be obtained. About
thirty names have already been taken.