The Portland daily press., 1890-05-28
MUSIC ARD DRAMA.
PIRATES OF PENZANCE.

The performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's
Pirates of Penzance" by the Amateurs at
Portland theatre last evening was remark
able entertainment, remarkable in that peo-
pie who do not make the stage profession
should give representation of one of the
most difficult English operas In manner
that, as q whole. has not been surpassed by
any professional company that ever visited
Portland. This may seem to be strong
statement. but 1t is fully borne out by the
facts. Amateurs, almost invariably, are
stiff, woodeny. They can't help it. 1t is to
be expected. The actors last night were per-
fectly at home. II they were little ner-
vous at first the appearance of their mana
ger, Mr.. Montgomery, as Major General
Stanley. put them at their ease, infused life
and spirit into them and made the opera
"snappy 60" from that moment to the fall of
the curtain.
The choruses were simply immense. The
prayer, near the close of the first act, was
given with dignity and grandeur that it
seemed hardly possible for an amateur Choir
us to attain. Both male and female choruses
throughout the opera were bright and sang
with dash, and gave ring to their music
that was positively refreshing.
The stage pictures were charming. The
first entrance Of the major generals daugh-
tiers with their suite was a symphony in
color, The dresses harmonized and blended
with the prettiest effect, and set off in high
relief the fresh beauty of the maidens. The
grouping of the girls on the ground as they
sang a out the weather, and the massing of
the whole finale chourus around Gen. STAN
ley, at the beginning of the second act in the
old chapel, was one of the prettiest and
most fetching" stage effects we have seen
for many day. In the dances the lime
light was used judicously and added greatly
to the general artistic result. The scenery
by Storey, was very pretty, and the intro
duction of the pirate craft in the first scene
was exceedingly appropriate.
The principals were particularly adapted
to their respective roles. Miss Wood as
Mabel. displayed with fine effect all the bril-
liant execution and sweetness of voice for
which she is noted, and which created such
a sensation when she sang in "Les Cloches
de CorneuilLe." Her brilliant execution of
the waltz In the first act was heartily en-
cored ana brought forth superb floral de-
sign. Miss Julia Stevens as Kate was also
honored with beautiful bouquet and sang
her music very sweetly. Miss Florence
knight sang the music allotted to Edith very
sweetly, and Miss Starr. as Isabel was pretty
as picture. Miss Randall sang and acted
the part of Ruth admirably. DR.. Nicker-
/, eoo's sweat +A.>->- S;S s~.s~~ t. E-eaa-ss
Mr.. II. @. Payson gave the music OF the
pirate king with true piratical vigor and eff
feet. Mr. Talbot not only sang the music Of
the police sergeant well, but his acting also
was capital Mr.. Montgomery as the Major
General was the pivot, around which the
whole opera swung. 1t was his old par
with the old Ideals, and he gave finish and
smoothness to the performance that was I'M
deniable. Mr.. Snow was very good as the
piratical lieutenant. The policemen's chorus
was great, both in drill and singing. 1t was
encored of course, in fact If we say that al
most everything was encored we shan't go
far wrong. for the large and brilliant audi
ence was perfectly carried away, and it
would insist ON repetitions and called the
curtain at the close of the first act The
opera was beautifully and appropriately
dressed.
To Mr.. Goold and his orchestra great
praise is due. 1t is no small thing to keep
everything well in hand, especially in an
amateur operate representation, but Mr..
Goold did 1t admirably.
The opera will be repeated tonight, and If
the house isn't crowded Portland music low
ers will make great mistake.
GoRMAN's MINsTRELs.
The sale of seats for the performance az
Portland theatre, Friday night, to be given
by Germans Minstrels, will begin at the box
Office today. The departure made by the
Germans from the old style of minstrelsy is
SO radical that 1t excites surprise. 1t re-
( quired no little assurance to take the risk at
tending such revolution of custom. The
half circle with the comedians on the ends
manipulating the bones and tambourines,. The
interlocutor in the centre, with the soloists
and quartette on either side, and the whole
backed by the orchestra on raised platforms
has been so long identified with minstIelsy,
that it seemed impossible to do without it,
but the Germans took the step and wiped
out the circle but retained all its features
minus the bones and tambourines. In the
novel first part the characters are introduced
| In natural way, and all runs as smoothly as
a comedy. The entertainment closes with
James Germans latest production, 1.-THE
Princess of Cambodia," a complete, pirited
original operetta with charming airs, and a
plot which holds the interest'of the auditors.
NOTES.
"The Dark Secret" entered upon its final
week at the Howard rAtheneum. Boston,
Monday, the house being packed to the doors.
The great feature was the beginning of a
seven days swimming competition between
Misses Clara Beckwith and Katie Anderson
for the quarter mile championship and a
purse Of $3.50. offered by Manager William
Harris Of the Howard. Monday evening Miss
Beckwith won.
Nine. Alvine Ohm, once famous actress,
who is known to be wealthy, suddenly dis
appeared from Vienna recently, taking with
her 100,0 900 forms of her own money. She
suffered from mania, which led her to be-
lieve that she was prosecuted and followed
| by number of persons who intended ito do
her injury in order to deprive her Of her
property. She was not heard of until few
days age, when she was found wandering
aimlessly in the streets of Hanover, ragged,
| almost barefooted and absolutely penniless
| She was able to give her name and residence
brit had no recollection of what had hap.