The Portland daily press., 1893-10-26
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Alexander saIvini.

Alexander SaIvini.
Every one is familiar with the story
of that noble scapegrace Don Caesar de
Bazan, who multiplied his many vices
by few virtues and deserved better of
humanity than romantic history gave
him credit for. ! But it is on account of
its ron,anticism the play has SO long held
the stage, for it is free from the
maudlinism or absurdity that too often
designates modern melo-drama. 1t has
all the grace and dash that can convert
disreputable character into hero. In
the hands of a man like Alexander
Salvini, there is not shade in the
volatile disposition sof thesSpanish adj
yenturer that is not perfectly delineated.
The Don Caesar of Salvini is living,
breathing reality. From the moment in
the first act, when the ragged outlaw
filled with wine, rushes to the rescue of
the boy Lazarillo and MISUNDERSTANDING
the captain of the guard to duel to
the death, to the moment when he is
able to claim Mariana as his own, the
actor sinks himself completely in the
character. He is romantic, careless,
pathetic sardonic in turn, but he is
always Don Caesar. 1t is a pleasure to
watch the constant change of expression
miyiored on his noble features, to notice
how every gesture fits the words he
speaks. sHis Don Caesar never loses
sight of the fact that he is gentleman,
count of the kingdom, hidalgo born
in the purple, a wearer of the order of
the Golden Fleece, the bearer of name
that ranks almost as high as that, of
Charles himself. He can rise to the inn
portance of the situation as when in the
third act, he seats himself with royal
state and declares that if the king is Don
Caesar, then he is the king, and COMFORTS
himself with true royal dignity, or he
can be exquisite in his comedy as when
he is presented to the marchioness as his
wife and expresses his ready willingness
to allure her forever and leave the king
dom. Perhaps as stirring scene as any
was this one with the king, that role
being taken by Mr.. William Redmund,
whose excellent acting has been several
times exhibited in Portland. Another
admirable passage was the interview be-
tween Mariana and Don Caesar, where
Mauritania pleads her honesty and faith
fitness to the husband she has never
seen. Miss Moretti played the part with
great fervor and discrimination. The
other characters, especially the Don Jose
of Mr.. William Harris, were worthy of
mention. AS the play proceeded Mr..
Salvini aroused the audience to great
enthusiasm, and the curtain was called
at the end.sof each act.
A feature that deserves great praise,
even if it rendered the waits rather long
and spoiled the effect of Mr.. Grimmer's
and his orchestra's entr' acte music by
the noise of hammers and saws, was
the special scenery brought by the man.
agement. The scene in the first act was
realistic bit of old Spain, heightened
by the Ginning of the Angelus from
the moss grown towers.
Tonihgt HEgo's grand drama of @Ruy
Blasn will be, presented ,rs-e-s-
The settees should be placed farther
apart It is an outrage to crowd them
so close together.
Gilbert's Lyceum Cours-.
Tonight at Kotszchmar Hall the Gil
bert Lyceum course will open with the
Fursch-Madi concert company. Speaking
of Nine. Fursch-Madi the New York
World said at is certain that very few
singers anywhere in the world to day can
interpret Beetthoven's tremendous "Ah!
perfido,n with such alternating passion
and pathos, such exalted vocal and dra-
matte expression as this re markable
French artistic The Manchester Union
said of Signor Claudio: He displayed q
beautiful tenor voice; his range Is won,
derful." Of Albertine, the violinist, the
Berlin NATIONAL eitung said his execu-
ton is elegant and tasteful and purity Of
tone faultless. Mrs. Lickstone-Myers has
a oontralto voice of great range, and Mr..
Luckstone is pianist of great ability
Tickets at Stock bridges.
The Rising Generation.
Speaking of Mr.. Barry, who will appeal
in the Rising Generation" at Portland
Theatre Friday and Saturday, an Elk
change says: Mr.. Billy Barry, the
happy-go-lucky, fat little Irish comedian
seems to have things all his own way in
New York city just at present His new
play, The Rising Generation" has made
great success
One Day. CITY Hall, Nov. and 4.