The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-20
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Priscilla.

Frlscllla.
The musical people of Portland have
the Samaritan Association to thank for
the pleasure of hearing charming work
interpreted by superb body of voices at
City Hall last evening. The operetta of
Priscilla, which is written in the Gilbert
and Sullivan vein, is remarkably bright
little composition, full of music that
catches the popular ear at the same time
that it pleases people of musical cul-
ture.
The old familiar story of the Puritan
maiden and her two lovers, John Alden
and Miles Standish is satirically treated,
introducing as the comic features of the
operetta Hatebad Higgins, the agent of
an heirloom company, who proposes to
cut up Plymouth rock into mementoes
and bring over spinning wheels and old
fashioned china and cradles for relic
hunters, and Resignation, a Puritan
spinster of uncertain age who Hatebad
makes love to in order to revenge him
self on Standish who, Hatebad thinks,
loves her. There are also also as charac-
ters in the operetta Gov. Bradford, three
lovely Maybuds, the Misses Barbara,
Faith and Prudence, and Squanto,
friendly Indian. The scene of the piece
is laid at Plymouth and is in two acts,
the first representing forest glade, and
the second the exterior of Priscilla's cot
tage.
1t was to have been expected that the
music would be we'll rendered since it
was known that the best known singers
of the city would take part as principals
and chorus, but such smooth and bril-
liant performance was hardly anticipated
by those who had not been so fortunate
as to hear the pehearsals and see the
good work that Mr.. Kotzschmar was do
ing. Throughout the evening the vari-
GUS solos, concerted music and ensem-
bles were given with quality and body
of tone, a shading and finish that has
not been heard in Portland for long
time. Few opera companies possess
such well drilled choruses-probaby
none now on the stage in tais country
possessing such general all round
qualities as this. The ensemble at the
close of the first act was fine and one of
the most beautiful stage pictures that
seemed to be copy Of some celebrated
engraving, was that in the second act
when Priscilla and the Plymouth youth
and maidens beseech Standish to give up
Priscilla to Alden, all kneeling except
Gov. Bradford, who stands by with fold
ed arms, and the brave Puritan captain
and his two soldiers clad in the steel
caps and corslets of the period. Anoth-
er pretty, stage picture was that at the
opening of the second act, where Pris-
ella sits at the spinning wheel.
The principals were all in fine voice
and acted with spirit. Miss Florence
Knights Priscilla, the Misses Katherine
M. Kicker, Georgia A. Knight and Agnes
as the Maybuds, Mr.. Harry.
Merrill as Capt Standish, DR.. Nickerson
as John Alden, Mr.. Harry F. Libby as
Gov. Bradford, were warmly applauded
The charming duet by Capt. Standish
and Priscilla, Miss Ricker's solo and the
quartette and chorus in the first act were
encored, and Miss Kicker received a
beautiful bouquet. There were numei-
GUS encores in the second act In this
act Miss Alice L. Allen, who assumed
the character of Resignation, and Mr.
Dodd of Boston, that of Hatebad Hig-
gins, made decided feature of their
love scene and were vigorously recalled.
Both seemed especially fitted for the
parts. Mr.. Dodd's patter song had to be
repeated and the audience tried to get
second rendering ofs'The monkey and the
whale"
The orchestra was large and performed
its part of the entertainment admira-
bly,. Mr.. Macomber was conductor and
his eye was everywhere. 1t was the
unanimous verdict of the audience that
the opera was an immense success. There
will be another good audience tonight
and a third at the Saturday matinee.
Lost in London.
Last evening Mr.. Newton Beers APP
peared at Portland Theatre in the famil-
lar "Lost in London supported by Miss
Lora Addison Cliff and capable stock
company. 'Lost in London is a very
popular play; it has plenty of the come
dy element and considerable pathos. Mr..
Beers appears as Job Armroyd. He has
a pleasant presence, a strong voice, is
easy of gesture, and is well adapted to
the part. Miss Lora Addison Cliff, who
is sub-starred with Mr.. Beers, is an ar
fist entirely worthy of the place assigned
her. AS Nellie Armroyd she wins the
sympathies of her audience at the first
and holds them with her to the end. Miss
Kate Romano, who plays 'sTiddy Drag
glethrop, was the original of this charac-
ter in Mr.. Beers's New York production
of the play. Mr.. Tommy White, who
...z l.. &Lo oiY,o1 on6u' ro1a Of