The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-01
MUSIC AND DRAMA.

performers, and enjoyed their evening ex-
ceedingly.
The first part of the programme was de-
voted to Hoffman's sextette in d, played by
the Bernard Listemann Club, composed of
the Listemann brothers, violin and viola
Mr.. Ronconi, 1utist, Mr.. Rissland. violin,
Mr.. Giese, 'cellist and Mr.. Flockton, contra
basso. The seXtette is divided into four
movements, the allegro con motto, dnddnte,
scherzo ana finale ALA zingard. The allegro
has for its pose a graceful theme from
which spring airy figures of especially grace
ful design. 1t received very smooth rem
dering. In the dnddnte the principal figure
was executed by the first violin, cello and
flute, sometimes separately, and again as
trio. The movement was charmingly played
and would have been well nigh perfect but
for the fiatting of the flute in the last chord.
The scherzo, at times, was full of fire, and
occasionally little bit of dainty writing
was interjected that received most artistic
treatment The most of character dis
played in the whole work appeared in the
finale. In the composition the PLAYERS were
thoroughly together in the alterations of
tempo.
The chief feature Of the evening was
Byron's great dramatic poem of "Man-
fred" set to music by Schumann, the Choir
uses sung by the choirs of the Williston.
State, High. Congress Square and First Par
ish churches, the instrumental music by the
Listemann Club and Mr. Harvey Murray,
organist, and the poem itself recited by Mr..
George Riddle.
Wasieelewski says: 1.-THE music to By
ron's Manfred seems to be singularly signif.
cant OF Schumann's own nature. We can
hardly resist the thought that his own in
ner life, and forebodtng of his dreadful
fate, are mirrored therein. For what is
this Byronic Manfred but restless, wander
ing. distracted man, tOrmented by fearful
thoughts? and the mad, souLdestroying in
tercourse with spirits-which must, of
course, be taken symbolically-was also the
eliminating point Of Schuman's last illness.
Doubtless he was strangely attracted to this
subject by sense of affinity, for he once
said In conversation, 4 never devoted my
self to any composition with such lavish love
and power as to Manfred The music to
Manfred consists of an overture and Is
numbers. The whole work with the excep-
tion Of he Hymn of the Spirits of Ahrimap,
which is considered especially unvocal, is
deep in thought and mastery in conception.
The overture might contend for superiority
with all others. 1t is a powerful soul-paint-
Ing full of tragico. pathetic flights, and quite
surprising all his other works in in,ellectu-
al grandeur. We feel that it was composed
with rare devotion and unusual outlay of
mental power. Its nature is in concord with
the poem-of gloomy melancholy, some-
times passionate and demoniacal." The
same might be said of all the instrumental
music. In the chorus work, the Song of the
Spirits by mixed quartette was finely Civ
en-, and the solo work in it, by Messrs.
Stockbridge, II. Merrill, Miss knight and
Mrs. Morrison, each having more or less of
1t, was worthy of high praise. The incanta-
ton was particularly weird and well con-
structed in composition. The adjuraton of
the Witch of the Alps was extremely dra-
matte during the recitation, the mutes being
used and having very "witchy" effect. The
Hymn and Chorus of Spirits were, both of
them, full of dramatic power. In the scene
where Manfred beseeches Astarte not to
leave him there was a tenderness
of pleading that was deeply affecting. The
sunset scene was tie greatest of the whole
poem in the dramatic fervor of the musical
writing, while the wailing of the requiem
and the grandeur of the cloister hymn will
long be remembered.
Mr. Riddle, to whose effective recital of
the poem so much praise is due, is entitled
to the hearty thanks of the audience. His
conception of the poem was fine and his de-
livery excellent. His scene, where he de-
fled the spirits, was mastery Thanks are
due Mr. Murray for the careful drill he gave
the choruses and his own part in last nights
entertainment.
THE STEPDAUGHTER.
There was large audience gathered at
Portland Theatre to see Miss Annie Ward
Tiffany in "The Stepdaughter," last night
The play is we'll constructed. although the
first act drags little. Miss Tiffany is, of
course, excellent as Peggy Logan, the de-
voted Irish nurse. Rose Tiffany play ed
Ruby Egerton WELL Blanche Bender sang
very prettily and gained an encore in her
songs at the end Of the first act. The other
characters were we'll taken, The play was
well mounted and the revolving scenes in
the "tower scene" drew great applause.
KIT.
Tonight Chanfrau and company will ap-
pear in Exit, the Arkansas Traveller" at
Portland Theatre. An exchange says:
The announcement that the time. honored
melodrama, Exit, the Arkansas Traveller"
would open at the Globe last evening drew
one of the largest audiences of the season.
Henry Chanfrau, son of the original Kit, en-
acted the title role and gave almost perfect
copy of his father 10 the character. He has
surrounded himself with an excellent COM
pany. notably j. l.. Clark who plays the
part of the Judge and Bassett Willard who
takes the opposite character of the Major.
Inc latter, by the way, has makeup al
most Identical with the character as played
by the late Dan Maguinnis. Eugene Ber-
tram is the Manuel Bond, and Edward
Summers plays Washington Stubs.
THE UNKNOWN.
The production of unknown" by Mana
ger Lothrop's star stock company Friday
and Saturday should be enjoyable entertain
ments, and the popular prices should ensure
large audiences. The recent visit of the Ed
wards-Glassford combination will be re-
called with pleasure. Miss Annie McVeigh
and Messrs. Barringer, Fannin, Clements
and Kingdom are still members of the com.
paDy.
WHEEL CLUB MINSTRELS.
Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Janu-
airy 14th and 18th, at Portland Theatre. the
long anticipated entertainment will be given.
Tickets may be obtained of the members
Saturday morning, to be exchanged at a lat.
er date at the box office for reserved seats.
NOTES.
Tickets are now on sale at Stockbridge's
for the Stoddard course, Stanley lecture, and
Dlxey with his merry company of play
ers.
The Sam E. Ryan combination will be at
Portland Theatre all next week. The first
three days 1.-THE Long Strike" will be pre-
scented s.a The last three days the bill will be