The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-05-11
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
RHEA. As dosEpHINE.

Ahe trite expression Two moderate sized
but select audiences" applies to the
houses which greeted Mile. Rhea at
Portland theatre Saturday afternoon and
evening to witness the French actresses rep
resentation OF the lovely Josephine Empress
Oh the French. The play is tiresome. 1t is
what is known to the stage as ''talky-talky."
1t Is full of lengthy soliloquies and speeches,
many Of which could be cut out to advan-
tage. There Is great lack of action, and
without rapid action plays always drag.
Mile. Rhea possesses the advantage of a
sweet, winning face. well calculated for the
Inflated Josephine, and great earnestness of
purpose. But herlpronounced accent Is fatal
to her in scenes where the passions are ex-
cited and rapid speech is necessary. In the
sadder scenes of the play she gave good ex-
preston to her self-sacrifice for Napoleon,
her scorn and indignation at Marie Louise's
desertion of the Emperor, and her death
were royal and beftted her. The curtain
was called after each of the leading situa-
lions In the drama, although the audience, as
whole. lacked warmth and spontaneity
Mr.. William Harris made an excellent
Napoleon. He not only carried out the idea
OF the great warrior, he actually resembled
the "little corporal" He was the pivot Of
the piece. The other characters were we'll
costumed aud were acceptable.
ORGAN RECITAL.
The organ recital at Congress Square
church gave great pleasure Saturday after
noon. Mr. Duncan was at his best and Mrs.
Haskell in fine voice. Next Saturday Miss
Katherine Kicker. contralto, and Miss Good
win, violinist, will be soloists.
CHANDLER's BAND CONCERT.
The annual concert and ball by this popu-
lar band will take place at City hall tomor-
row evening and no pains will be spared to
make it the event of the season. Among the
musical selections they will perform by re-
quest the Railroad Galop or Trip to Ban
gor on the NJ. G. r. R ;" which made such a
hit at the late railroad ball. The band has
lately ordered new uniforms and as the pro-
ceeds of the ball are to be used for this pur-
pose we trust their friends will give them a
large attendance. The music for dancing
will be furnished by the full military band
Of thirty pieces.
THEY'RE AFTER HIM.
The Wheel Club have voted to extend a
complimentary entertainment to Mr.. Elliot
G. Mitchell, in return for services rendered
the club, especially at their late minstrel
show. 1t will occur in City hall near the
first Of June. The Wheel Club committee in
charge of the affair are John Calvin Stevens
f. S. Rankin, Frank 81. Pierce, James E.
Kilborn, and James E. Farrell. Mr.. Mitch
ellis services have always been given gratui
tously when asked by the various organiza.
lions, and it is pretty certain they will re.
ciprocate now that the chance is given them.
PYGMALIoN AND GALATEA.
| Reserved seats for Pygmalion and Galates
will be on sale this morning at the box Office
at Portland theatre. The date of the pre-
sentation is fixed for the night of the 2lst
and there is every indication of crowded
house. 1t would be we'll to secure seats a
the earliest opportunity.
WEBER CLUB.
The Weber Club give their annual concer
and ball at City hall, Wednesday evening
All the friends of the club will be sure to be
present and u highly enjoyable evening may
be expected The following will be the pro
| gramme:
Hail Hail to Song. :......C. Muller Hartwie
Sailing; Arranged BY g. T; Steele
Selectl0n. Miss Morrison
Selection: MISUNDERSTANDING Mitchell
In Gondola.. Meyer, Hemund
0electOn. Miss Morrison
Pilgrims Chorus .Tannhausel
sALvINI AS DON cEsAB.
Tonight Alexander Salvini will appear a
Portlandtheatre in Don Caesar de Bazan. Tht
Home Journal says:
Fechter was a dashing, romantic French
man as the famous grandee. Coquelin wa
Saxon, but only Alexander Salvini seems Il
have the full flush of the Spaniard, the reck
less, careless, but not dishonorable spirit o
the southern vagabond, who needed but
serious necessity to be q serious man. i
| spite of his rags he looked the grandee His
| treatment of the knig In this act was one oil
the most picturesqe things imaginablef His
manner Of offering his sword, his noble as
serti0n that the wrongs he has borne at the
hand of his sovereign would not have been
br00ked from another; and finally his asser
ton that he had killed Don Jose was truly
more than admirable.
A DATE CANCELLED.
Owing to the serious illness Of Mr.. Barry
who is suffering with pneumonia, the Main,
engagement Of the Barry and Fay company
has been cancelled. The company wa
booked for Portland theatre this week and /
is to be regretted that the Portland publi
will miss this opportunity of seeing thei
clever performance.
NOTES.
Washes Musical Comedy Company will
be at Portland theatre next Thursday eve
ming. A programme of musical specialties
ETC., Is promised.
The Haydns will give Spohr's Oratorio
"The Fall of Babylon" the first week II
June.
The Ladies' Cecilian Quartette of this cit,
has been engaged for the commencement ex
ercises of the Pennell Institute at Gray
June 9Th: also for the graduating exercise
Of the Cornish High school, June 25th.
Charles L. Davis will be at Portland thea
tire next Wednesday evening, and will pre-
sent for the last time In this city his play o
alvin Joslin."