The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-21
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Wilbur Opera Company.


The Wilbur Opera Company opened at
the Portland theatre last tevening to an
audience that filled every seat on the
ground floor, while the lobby was crowd
ed, and occupied all but very few seats
In the balcony. 1t was most suspicious
opening of the opera season and from the
indications the house will be crowded
nightly throughout this week.
The opera presented was "The Royal
Mildly" OF, more properly speaking,
der See Kadet," an opera which was
last given in Portland in the old Portland
theatre some fifteen years ago, when Flor
ence Ellis was Fanchette, while Don jan
uario, Don Lamberto, Mungo and the
other leading parts were taken by well
known singers. Mollenhauer, the well
known conductor, had charge of the or
chestra of fourteen pieces. Apart from
the general excellence of the rendering
of the music, the opera was made mem
orable by the game of living chess, the
stage having been marked off into squares
and the characters were all attired in APP
propriate costumes to represent the
pieces.
The Wilbur company is large organi-
cation. The opera last night was splen-
didly staged. The costumes were rich
and fresh and harmonized perfectly. The
massing of color in some of the scenes
was exceedingly beautiful. The intro
duction of the Cadets with their dance
in the first act was very striking. In the
second the singing of the ''Star Spangled
Banner by the representatives OF all the
powers, with the waving of flags, was ex-
tremely effective. The curtain was called
at the end of both the first and second
acts.
There was change in the cast last
evening from that which was first an
nounced. Miss Susie Kirwin, the prima
DONNA was absent, but it is expected
she will appear tonight. The character
of Fanchette was assumed by Miss
Dorothy Morton, that of Mary Queen of
Portugal, by Miss Maggie Bolton, and
Donna Antonio by Miss Hattie Richard
son.
Miss Morton was full of life and spirit
and made a very vivacious Fanchette,
Mr.. Conley was handsome Don Lam
berto, Mr.. E. Fl. Clark a forceful and
amusing Don Januario, and Mr.. Kohnle
a decidedly funny Mungo. The audience
was amused from beginning to end of
the evening. The living chess was not
attempted an ordinary chess board and
set of chessmen being used.
In act three large number of special
ties were introduced that gave great
pleasure. Mr.. Shaw, whose female inn
presentations command high salary,
Mr.. Edward Brown, the whistling
COON and king of the harmonica, Mr..
Kohnle in comic songs, Mr.. Fisher in his
Chinese speciality. Miss Belle Hamilton
in the crinoline dance, ali received great
applause.
Tonight the opera of 'sNell Gwynne"
will be given
III. NJ. S. Pinafore.
Our local opera take a breathing spell
from the arduous stage rehearsals they
have been going through and commenced
final rehearsals last week with orchestra
and with Mr.. Jas. G. Bartlett, Boston's
we'll known tenor. Mr.. Montgomery as
sures us the company can now give the
opera to his entire satisfaction, but to
make doubly sure of stage work three
final rehearsals will be had with cos
tunes, orchestra and calcium light, SO
that the performance on the opening
night, Thursday evening, will be as per-
feet as possible on that evening. The
new scenery was painted by a Boston
artist and will consist of two new drops
of Portsmouth, Englsnd. and of the har-
Dor, with Her Majesty's feet lying at
anchor, surrounding the good ship Pima
fore Some of the pretty features will
be the fixing of the admirafs salute from
the war ships as the admiral comes on
board. The moonlight scene in Act H.,
the distant city and the many ships at
anchor, with their lanterns hoisted, the
pale moon lighting up the entire scene.
will be fore and aft act, cabins and
quarter deck at the rear of the stage. A
ships rigger has been engaged to attend to
the rigging Of the ship. The High School
Cadets, as marine guards, will play an
important part in the stage business.
Mr.. Montgomery says they surpass any
squad he has ever used.
Elegant new costumes of every shade
| have been made, with hats to match, and
they will make charming picture as the
choristers dance and sing to the tuneful
music, under the colored lights of the
calcium. The sale of seats is now going
on at Chandler's music store. Secure
your seats early. Orders from out OF
town will be promptly attended to-
| Special arrangements will be made fol
| the Saturday matinee for children.
MARRIAGES.