The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-11-16
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Martha.

The Grau Opera Company gave very
credteahle performance of Flotow's
charming opera Martha" last night.
and, as the action of the opera proceeded
the applause became more and more pro-
nounced, until at the end of the grand
ensemble at the close of the fourth act
there was an emphatic call of the cur
tain and a demand for a repetition.
Miss Edith Mason as Martha and Mr..
Persse as Lionel carried the opera, the
formers sweet soprano and the latter's
strong, agreeable tenor harmo nizlng adj
mira bly,. Of course Miss Mason's rem
dering of the "Last Rose of Summer"
evoked hearty encore, and the short
duett that followed with Mr.. Persse was
the most dramatic and artistic bit of
work in the entire performance. Mr..
Persse sang with Mr.. Langlois the beau
tiful duet in the first act--more general
~ known to church people, as the hymn
Guide me, thou Great Jehovah" with
much expression, but it was in M'apparl
tutt Amor, that aria with which Brig
noli captured a continent, that he was
heard at his best, and he had to repeat
the beautiful song. The other people in
the cast were to be commended. The
Good Night" quartette gave pleasure,
and in fact all the tavorite numbers re-
ceived much applause. The orchestra
deserve good deal of praise
The comic operas of Gilbert and Sulli-
van have always keen great favorites
with our theatre-goers, and there will
doubtless be a large house present this
evening. to witness the first performance
here of the "Gondoliers,n their last
great success. The music is said to
abound in those captivating airs for
which Sir Arthur Sullivan's compost
tions are famous. Mr.. Gilbert's libretto
fairly bristles with keen, incisive hum
or. By general request, the star and
Tartar" will be repeated tomorrow af-
ternoon, and.should crowd the house to
it's utmost capacity. Seldom it is that
better com bination of clever music and
pure fun is found on the stage. The en-
gagement closes on Saturday evening
with the presentation of "Paul Jones"
one of the strongest operas in the roper
toire of the company.
Mora.
The Nora Williams Comedy Company,
which opens at the Portland Theatre
next Monday evening for a weeks en-
gagement, is said to stand in the same
relation to other dramatic repertoire
companies playing at popular prices as
the Grau company does to those present.
ing opera. Morals supporting company
this season is far stronger than ever be-
fore. Fred Williams, an exceedingly or
iginal and clever comedian, is the leading
man. A feature is the American Quar-
tette, formerly with the Manola-Mason
company. Their excellent work in
"Friend Fritz" will be we'll remem bered
by. those who saw. that. charming operatic
comedy.
Sousa's Band.
The tickets are selling well at Stock
BRIDGES for the Sousa band concerts to
be given sat City Hall afternoon and
evening, November gath. The Cosmopol-
itan Magazine, speaking of this fine
band. said:
"The recognition of the excellence of
the new organization was instantaneous.
Triumph after triumph immediately re-
warded it. 1t was at once selected by
Theodore Thomas to furnish, with his
own orchestra, the music for the opening
of the Worlds Fair. 1t was rendered by
him an engagement for the entire season
of the Worlds Fair. 1t Instantly
succeeded to Gilmore's great annual en-
gagements at Manhattan Beach, at the
Madison Square Garden and at the ST..
Louis Exposition 1t was summoned to
the California Midwinter Fair, and be-
tween these and its concert tours, it is
giving, during the present year (Degin-
ming with February Gath and ending
with the winter holidays), series of
ten months of daily concerts-the longest
continuous season of the kind known to
musical history"
The Elks' Minstrels.
The co stumes for the Elks' Minstrels
are nearly completed, and will arrive
the first of the next week. The design
ers and man ufacturers claim that they
will surpass any. ever worn by minstrel
company in Portland. The end men will
wear silk plush coats and breaches, with
silk waistcoats and wigs, while the
chorus will be attired in full evening
dress. The orchestra Of twelve, pieces Will
be attired in beautiful Hussar uniforms,
and the costumes, combined with the
silk plush stage draperies, will no doubt
complete very startling stage picture.
The sale Of seats will begin next Mon
day at 9 O'Clock q. but certificates can
be procured of members to lie exchanged
at the box Office for Seats
Notes.
The new Castle Square Theatre opened
in Boston Monday night, is said to be
a beauty. The cost was close on to a
million of dollars. E.E. Rose, formerly
of the Boston Museum, is manager.
A decided increase in the demand for
seatssshows that the. effect Of the an
nouncement of the closing weeks of
aSowing the Wind" at the Columbia in
Boston has produced. The Journal SAYS
it is matter of regret that this power
full play cannot remain the entire season
at the Coiumbia which it could do if
only the volume of business were con-