The Portland daily press., 1896-04-03
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


At the Portland theatre Tuesday next
will be seen 1.-THE Gay Parisians," which
for 100 nights crowded Hoyt's theatre in
New York, and for two months filled the
Boston Museum, and was declared the
greatest comedy success Charles Froh-
man has yet given to the public. This
comedy is an adaptation of the French
farce "LHotel du Libre Exchange"
which is now in its second season in
Paris. Though in the adaptation, none of
the spice has been eliminated, there is
said to be nothing which would prove
offensive to polite ears. The original
company, headed by W. J. ferguson and
Odette Tyler will be seen here.
Midnight Bell.
That the favorite comedian, Digby Bell
and his charming wife Laura Joyce Bell,
will achieve additional triumphs in the
roles of Deacon Tidd'' and the "Spin-
ster," is foregone conclusion, inasmuch
as they are prominently fitted for the
parts, and Hoyt's comedy, "A midnight
Bell' is unquestionably masterpiece,
and is generally conceded to be the most
effective and truest depletion of beautiful
New England rural life, with the strong
est drawn characters of any of its So
called rivals The cast supporting Mr..
| and Mrs. Bell is notable one in every
respect 1t contains the names of many
we'll known and favorite artists, specially
selected for the respective characters in
thesplay. The company all told numbers
twenty-five people, carries an entire car
of scenery, executed by the famous artist,
Arthur Voegtlin. Victor Herbert, the
eminent conductor, has written complete
new music for the production, which
will be personally managed by Duncan
B. Harrison. 1t will be seen at Portland
theatre April 10th, 18th and matinee.
Symphony Concert.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Mr..
Emil Paur, conductor, announces its only
concert this season 10 Portland at City
hall on Wednesday evening. April Is.
The first visit of this famous organiza-
ton to Portland, was in the season of
| 1SS2-S3, the second year Of its existence.
Two concerts were given in each season
until he season of 18S6-S7, when three
concerts were given, and the same num-
Der were given for the seasons of 1898
and 1S8S-S9. Two concerts were given in
1Ss9-90 and 1890. 81, following which SEN
son came break of four years to last sea-
son, when one concert only WAS given.
The concert announced for April Is will
be the 23d given in this city aud the
l396th performance since the founding of
this orchestra Is years ago.
The programme, although containing
only four numbers, is most satisfactory
one. No work performed this season by
any musical organization in this country
has made so deep and lasting an i'm
preston as the Symphony, No. 6 of
Tschaikowsky, better known as the Spa
thetic." This symphony made such deep
impression upon s.frsu performance In
the Boston concerts early this winter
that, by general request, it was repeated
two weeks later, compliment paid to
only half dozen compositions In the fif-
teen years existence of the organization.
Speaking of the second performance,
leading Boston critic said: "Every sue
cessiye performance of the work discovers
new beauties and intensifies the belief
that it is the largest and most impress
sive symphony of modern date: not only
for its splendor of color, its wealth of re-
fined and flowing melody, and the lofty
dignity that pervades it, but also for the
nobility of its inspiration and the purity
of its sentiment.
The soloist will be Miss Antoinette
Szumowska, who has already scored
several brilliant successes with the orches-
ira in Boston and elsewhere. Miss
Szumowsxa has chose the concerto for
piano forte, No. 2, by Saino-Saens, a most
beautiful composition, notably the second
and last movements, which are sure to
awaken great enthusiasm. Miss Sumo
wska is known as the favorite pupil of
Paderewski, and the patrons Of this con-
cert who have listened to the greatest
pianist Of the present age will easily re-
call his methods in the playing of his
pupil. In Difference to the very general
demand in modern programmes for one
or mores selections by Wagner. Mr.. Paur
Mas pidceu upon bue proGfhLume Iuo
"Waldweben'' or Forest Sounds,
from the opera Of Siegfried''a most beau
tiful illustration of Wagner's great lean
ing toward the descriptive in music, and,
as Il fitting close to such a programme,
the well-known and ever popular over
ture to ''Rienzi," will be given. Ordi-
nariIy, selections from the Wagner operas
depend SO much upon stage accessories
for their proper presentation as to be
rather out of place in concert pro-
gramme, but both of the above selections
are free from such criticism.
The recent appearance of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra in New York, called
out the most remarkable series of favor
able criticisms ever earned by anyorganiz-
alton in this country, and the music low
ing public of Portland and vicinity
should manifest it's appreciation of such
programme by such an organization at
the ordinary prices by filling City hall to
It's utmost capacity.
Tickets will be on sale at Stockbridges