The Portland daily press., 1892-04-15
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Duff Opera Company at City Hall in
0ueen's Mate.

season at City Hall last evening in Le-
cocq's Princesse des Canaries,' trans
lated and adapted for the English stage
under the name of a"Queen sMate.'' The
story is that of country girl who by
means of every kind of intrigue eventual
ly comes to the throne. Like most
French operas of its class, it lacks in
transplanting the keen wit that charac-
terizes the libretto in the French Ian
guage, and the librettist is. compelled to
make up for it by the introduction of
much original and extraneous matter,
including a topical song, an Amazonian
march and other matter of the kind. But
Notwithstanding this there is rich col
oring in the Spanish airs and dances, a
sumptuous costuming and a brilliancy
and dash on the part of principals and
chorus that carry the opera and cover
mp in a measure the lack of brightness of
dialogue.
Helen Bertram easily stood prominent
in the cast as Anita, the country girl,
who eventually becomes queen. She has
a fine figure, a handsome face with mo-
bile features, a brilliant voice, and the
chic that is so essentially French. She
was encored for her brilliant rendering
of her aria in the first act. Miss Bettina
Gerard was acceptable as Inez. She has
better voice than is usually found in
the average comic opera troupe, and she
acts with considerable spirit. Mr.. John
J. Rafael, who has high baritone, was
a good Pedrillo, and Mr.. Richard F. Car
roll made all he could of lingo and did
his share towards exciting the liabilities
of his audience. Mr.. W. FL. Clarke, SO
well remembered with the old Ideals,
made capital General Bombordos, and
Mr.. Henry Stanley was an amusing Cen
eral Pataquet. The duet between the two
generals was very funny and was encored
One of the best things in the opera was
the grand ensemble at the close of the
second act, and Mr.. Clarke's solo, with
CHORUS and cathedral bell accompani-
mRnt. The Amazonian march displayed
"a number of well-formed young women
in several graceful military maneuvres..
In the orchestra were noticed the familiar
faces of Mr.. Grimmer and his men. Mr..
Carroll was called out several times for
more of his topical verses.
Tonight Suppe's beautiful ga Trip to
Africa will be given in the Popular
course.
Saml of Posen.
The American public is proverbially
tickle, and in no walk of life is this more
closely proven than in the realms of the
drama. A play may be success in one
place and failure in another. 1t may
be big money drawer one season and
year or two after prove entirely without
drawing powers and once taken from
public view it is soon buried in oblivion.
That Sam'l Of Posen has been and is a
great success, is proved by the fact that
after an existance of dozen or SO years
and Notwithstanding the fact that it has
temporarily been shelved for the past few
seasons it seemed to have lost none of its
power as box Office attraction. Mr..
Curtis has revived this favorite play and
the patronage so far accorded it has
abundantly justified his faith in it as a
drawing attraction. The company that
will appear at Lothrop's
Portland Theatre, next Wednesday
and Thursday with special Fast Day
matinee is described as very strong and
evenly balanced.
Cleve1and's NIinstre1s.
Monday night Cleveland's Minstrels
will appear at Portland Theatre. Special
attention has been paid to the vocal de-
partment, which numbers 20 carefully
selected voices headed by England's
great balladist, Edgar Wilson, Ted Fran
els, E. J. Carnes, Adam Schrank and
numerous others. Among the principal
fun makers may be mentioned that
prince of the comedy armament, Arthur
Rigby, that droll and funny fellow who
does not bore you; John Fl. Blackford in
new speciality; JohnQueen who presents
for the first time here his latest terpsi-
chorean advertisement comique, "The
Modern Beau Brummel;" the Four EN-
perors of Music--Howard, Blackford,
Russell and Talbert; Girard Leon and
his troupe of operate donkeys from the
Folies Bergeres, Paris; Billy Lyons, new
burlesque star; Ouda, the aerial marvel.
Charity Ball.
Since the opening of the current sea-
son, the company playing "The Charity
Ball'' has been seen in all cities of i'm
portance throughout the United States,
and both piece and people have been
greeted by large audiences and with en-
thusiasm and hearty applause. The rea-
sons for this are not hard to determine
well selected, well drilled organization,
such as Daniel Frohman always sends on
the road, a play that appeals directly to
every auditor, who sees the daily life
and thoughts of familiar people repro
duced before him, beautiful costumes
that please the ladies in the audiences,
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