The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-12-17
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Gilbert Opera Company.


organization. 1t made its first appearance
In this city at Portland theatre last eve.
ming before very large audience, and
gave the bright catchy music Of Stephens
and Solomon's "Billee Taylor'' with q
great deal of spirit. Not only that. but in
several of the numbers notably the inter
polated one 'sThe Power of Love- in the
second act with great deal more delieaoy
Df shading than the public is accustomed
10 In opera companies at popular prices.
Besides the principals Mr.. Gilbert has
goou strong chorus well balanced and
Well under subsection even if in enc or
Two instances the conductor had pretty
hard work to keep them in hand. Among
them Is male quartette Messrs. Hogarth,
DAILY, Woods and tombstone, who sang
sevecsl numbers introduced by them in
the second act with much taste and skill
and were warmly encored.
In the principals, Mr. Gilbert has some
very good voices and good actors. Miss
Ethel Balch has sweet clear resonant
voice and she acts as if she knew what
she was about. Her Phoebe was ye-y
satisfactory. Mr.. Hebert Dodd, who will
be remembered by musical people, acted
the part OF Captain Flipper with the air
OF Sir Joseph Por6er, and with the
Judgment OF a good comedian. Mr..
THOMAS Callahan was a very good Ben
Barnacle, as was Mr. COUGHS Sir Mincing
Lane. Harry Nelson as Billee Taylor,
sang well, especially s'Giye Back NV
+ Heart and Frank Edwards was first
rate Christopher Grab, the villain. His
song, "The Stormking" in the second
act was encored. Miss Katharine Powers
was capital Eliza, and Miss Florence
Gilbert pleased particularly in her song
, with chours, Paradise Alley Frank
Ranney as Felix Gilhooly, kept the house
eonvulsed when he appeared as one of Sir
Mincing Lanes army. The chorus and
solo 'sAll on Account of Eliza" of course
received several repetitions. The chorus
girls are young and pleasing and the
opera was well staged
The Living Pictures that closed the
evenings entertainment, were particular
ly artistic. and every one<had to be re-
peated. They included The Seasons,
Sappho. Chloe, The eleanor, Venus of
Milo, Psyche and the Butterfly, Psyche
at the Well, An Admirer of Art and
Music
The orchestra is good one and
acquitted itself most creditably. The
public will doubtless crowd the house
every night during the engagements.
and Also the matinees. Last night the
curtain was called at the close OF each
act.
Tonight Mr.. Gilbert will appear in his
favorite character of Gaspard, the Miser.
The Raymond-Akers Concert.
. Tomorrow evening the grand concert
that has been looked forward to for SO
long time by musical people, the COM
plimentary concert and debut Of Miss
Sally rockingham Akers, will be given
at Kotzschmar Hall Mrs. Annie Cary
Raymond has not been heard in Portland
for long time. There are many to
whom her name is reminiscent of some
OF the greatest audiences ever gathered in
the city, and greatest triumphs ever OBJ
tanned by Maine vocalist The pre-
mlere in the list of women from Maine
whom the musical world has delighted to
honor, the fact of her appearance tomor-
row night should crowd the house. Then
again how many are they to whom the
singing of her sister Ada Cary-Mc Kenney
is fresh in their minds? These two delic-
1ous contrafto voices may not be heard in
solo on this occasion, but they will in
quartette singing. Then the beneficiary.
Miss Akers, has the Endorsements of a
most critical audience, as stated by Mrs.
Kate Douglas Wiggin Riggs. Miss Nor
gan, the yiolinist, is daughter of George
Morgan, for years the leading organist
sisters have attained great popularity
and favor. Miss Cle1neptine Varney has
rich contralto voice. Mr.. Murray is too
well known to need comment The tick
cts are selling well at Stockbridge's.
The Shakespeare Water Cure.
Tbs Shakespeare Water Cure, which is
to be presented in Kotzschmar Hall on
the evening of December 31st by local
talent, will be remembered as one of the
best amateur performances ever given in
Portland. The present cast is exception
ally good, and with the perfect appoint
ments of Kotszchmar Hall, the play is
sure to be presented in better shape than
There was a great rush at Grassy,
Jones & Allsn's yesterday to secure seats
for the performances of "Pistol," Mr.
Leroy Nights operetta, to be given at
Kotzschmar Hall, Dec. 81 tn and 2Sth for
the chiidren's ward of the Maine General
Hospital. Those who intend going must
bestir themselves OF the seats will all be
gone. The tickets that have been on sale
about town are simply admission seats
and must be exchanged for reserved tick
cts at Cressy, Jones & Aliens This viii
be the cast of the operetta:
Pistol, Mr.. Chas d. Barrovs
Queen of France, Mrs. Arson McKim
Audrey, Mrs. Robt Treat Whitehouse
Prospero, Ii Mr.. II. Fl. Emery
Desdemona, Miss Julia Stevens
Rosalind, Mrs. John F.. Thompson
Two Sinners,
Mr.. Leroy L. Hight, Mr.. Robt. Treat
Whitehouse
Romeo, Mr. w. W, Mansfield
Duke of York. Mr. w. H. Webbing
Chorus, including various functiona-
ries of the court of Fran ce-Misses Helen
Brown, Bessie Dow, Allen, Moves, Fas-
sett. Langthorne, Fletcher, Weston
Knight, Mcdowell, Cobb, Richardson,
Foster, Shaw, Cram, Mrs Fred Tai
bot; Messrs. Herbert Payson, Illsley
Moves, Sterling Dow, 81. NJ Davis.
Whitman, Allen, Talbot and DR.. Cole
man.
Beethoven Day.
This afternoon at 4 O'Clock the Rossini
Club will take note of the great COM
poser, Beethoven IS birthday, as usual
An attractive programme will be ar
ranged. Associate tickets can be used
Tickets at the door can be procured for