The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-04-16
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Duff Opera COMPANY.

that has been given in Portland for a
long time was the representation of
suppes delightful ga Trip to Africa"
by the Duff Opera Company. At times
the performance rose almost to the dig
nifty OF grand opera. The representation
OF Queen s-mate'' on Thursday was
well enough, but "a Trip to Africa was
Tar ahead OF it. Perhaps one reason was
due to the fact that one was an opera
bouffe, the other a genuine comic opera.
And then, again, suppe knows his bust
ness thoroughly and writes excellent mu-
sic. Old theatre-goers will remember
his der See-Kadet," otherwise "The
Royal Mildly" given years ago at the old
Portland Theatre, with it's game of HT-
ing chess, and how they were charmed
with Florence Ellis, delighted with the
Brazilian, and laughed over Mungo. The
libretto in GA Trip to Africa''-at least
MI. Richard Carrolrs part of it's real
ly funny, even if slangy, and his part is a
major part. The choruses were fine
last night, and the solos and concerted
music excellent. The ensembles were
beautifully worked UP, and the prayer,
followed by the waltz movement, at the
end of the second act, was extremely eff
feetive. The sneezing song was comical.
But why attempt to enumerate. Miss
Bertram, as Titania, sang charmingly
and acted with fully as much spirit as on
the evening previous, while Miss Gerard
came out strong as Tessa, and Miss
Grace Anterior was very good as Bucca-
Meta. Mr.. J. J. Rafael was pleasing as
the European Miradillo. MI Stewart
sang and acted well as the Prince, and
the duet with Miss Bertram was one of
the gems of the evening Mr.. Clarke
was good as Pericles, and Miss De Reu
was effective as the slave. The minor
parts We're well taken. Mr.. Simonson
was a capital conductor, and it would
seem by the way he used his head as a
baton that he would twist it off. The
opera was very handsomely dressed.
This afternoon, "Queen' s-mate'' will
be repeated, and in the evening ''Paolo''
will be given, and the house should be
crowded on both occasions.
Cleveland's Minstrels.
Mhen this combination opened its en-
gagement at Boston recently, the Herald
said, among other complimentary things:
The entertainment contains a good deal
That ic 10 IL i III,
old saying, e'if you have seen one min
strel show you have seen them all, y
could hardly be applied in this case. The
company is very strong in every depart
ment, and as special attention has been
given to the vocal contingent the singing
was of an exceptionally good quality.
They will be at Portland Theatre Mon
day night
Charity Ball.
Every patron of the better class of
dramatic entertainment remembers with
pleasure the performance of ''The Char
ity Ball'' in this city last season, when an
unusually good company, under Daniel
Frohman's management, gave that play a
careful and enjoyable presentation. What
is virtually the same company returns to
us on next Tuesday evening at Portland
Theatre.
Two Matinee Girls.
They were two real sweet matinee
girls. and they were absorbing their daily
cream soda at Hudnut's Broadway estab-
lishment in New York.
Through the crowd of fair femininity
came a Thespian, renowned in the me-
tropolis as a man who learns his salary
at Saturday matinees''-this being the
professional phrase for player who is
the admired of the softer sex, and whose
photos sell well at Sarony's. The matt
nee girls recognized him in a moment
isn't he handsome2'' whispered the
first.
Gust too fetching" murmured the
second.
'Quite my ideal"
81 wonder what he's going to buy?'
''Brilliantine for that superb nous
tache?'
''Or ottar of roses for his handker-
chief?''
,'SOr some nail polish?"
Cor paste for those exquisite teeth?"
James, remarked the admired one,
very audibly, gimme another box of
those corn plasters."
Notes.
Mr.. P. J. McCallum will open the Pa
wilion June 9th, and will close Septem-
Der Sd.
Frank Curtis will be seen at Portland
Theatre in ''Saml of Posen'' next We'd
nesday and Thursday.
Friday and Saturday next, "Lost in
New York." with its great tank, sail
boats, steamboats, and tugs, will be at
Portland Theatre.
Don't forget the treat in store for you
if you attend the performance of the
Milado next week.
Christian Endeavor.
The Christian Endeavor societies of the
Portland Local Union will unite with the