The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-05-09
MUSIC AND DRAMA,
RHEA AS JOSEPHINE.

This afternoon at 230 o'clock, and this
evening at 5 o'clock, Mile. Rhea will appear
at Portland Theatre in Mr.. Albert r.
haven's play of Josephine. The Philadel-
phia Times says that ''Rhea looks and acts
her part royalty" Mr.. William Harris will
be the Napoleon. This is the story of the
play:
AT the opening of the playa ball room
scene In the Tuilleries-vag rumors reach
the ear concerning the question of royal
divorce. The Empress Josephine has heard
OF the plot advocated by the French diplo-
mats, but she cannot believe in its fulfill
ment. The Prince of Holland, the son OF
Napoleon's brother Louis, has been declared
heir to the throne and she can afford to des-
pise the rumors of any separation between
herself and the Emperor. The announce
ment of the death of the young price, how
ever, changes all this. and Josephine learns
that 1t is the plan of Napoleon to divorce
her and to contract new and royal alliance.
In the second act the formal divorce proceed
ings are presented, and here for the first
time the lofty patriotism of the wronged
Empress is seen; She signs, the decree,
sacrificing her rights for the sake of France,
and In dramatic climax full Of power bids
her friend, the brave Murat. take back the
sword which he has thrown away and wear
1t nobly for the sake OF France.
Again the scene changes; there is q
phine and Napoleon, the husband and wife;
1t Is tender and sympathetic on both sides,
and at the close of the act the spectator Is at
loss to know which to- pity the more, the
wife sacrificing herself for what she deems
her country's good. or the husband shutting
bis heart against love through ambition. In
the remaining three acts, we see Josephine
at Malmaison decorating her house in honor
OF the young King OF Rome; upbraiding the
Empress Marie Louise for deserving Napo
la0u in his adVQreitu and in hor vi mn
ments.
CHANDELIERS BAND CONCERT.
The large picture of Chambers band on
exhibition at Chambers music store is the
first one Of the kind ever made In Portland.
1t is 2Sx36 inches, and is made up of photo
graphs of each individual OF the band, cut
out and stuck on, and the back ground
painted around them. The whole is very
artistically grouped and makes brilliant
and effective picture. 1t is from the Lam
son studio. At the concert and ball next
Tuesday Chandler will play all new music.
The concert programme will consist of
selections, solos and novelties of description.
ALI should attend and help pay for the new
uniforms.
PYGMALIoN AND GALATEA.
The sale Of seats for "Pygmalion and Gal
atea" opens at the box office in Portland
Theatre this morning. 1t is evident, of
course, that those who visit the theatre to.
day win get the best seats. and those who
have already purchased tickets from mem
bers Of the Players Club should promptly
exchange them for reserved seats. The
stage appointments, costumes and music
incidental to "PygmaliGn and Galatea." with
the careful rehearsing done by Miss Zeffie
Tilbury. insure a charming performance Of
this Greek play. Indications point to one
Of the most fashionable audiences ever in at
tendance upon amateur theatricals In this
city.
sALvINI AS DON CEsAB.
Monday night Alexander Salvini, the in
heritor of his fathers the great Salvini's
genius and talent, will appear at Portland
Theatre as don Caesar" An exchange
says:
"To speak of the play he interpreted would
be useless, but to says that as Don Cesar
de Bazan,' Salvini evinced the fact that the
stage holds for him unrivalled glory, is to do
the people of this city a service In pointing
out to them the great treat in store for
this evening. To accord to such an actor
the praise he deserves is both pleasure and
duty. But Salvini will not lack for en-
couragement, for were critics silent, the en-
thusiasm which he arouses In lis audience
could but spur him on and assure him of the
endorsement of the, after all, best of critics,
the public"
ORGAN RECITAL.
The programme for the organ recital this
afternoon at Congress Square church will be
as follows:
wedding March. Mendelss0hn
Prayer, nth century, ..Stradella
Duet-Cruciix. .................. ...........Faur
Mrs. Haskell and Mr.. Duncan.
suite, IL minor) Handel
Song-The Daily Question. Meyer Helmund
Mrs. Haskell.
MelOule.. Louis Alll
Overture-La Grande Duchesse.... ....Offenbach