The Portland daily press., 1896-12-28
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Robert ManteIl.


Byron, in having awakened one morning
TO find himself famous, he yet has had
the novel experience among dram atlc
stars this present season at least of play
Ing to crowded houses wherever he has
appeared. Consequently the annouce-
ment of his appearance at Portland me
atre tonight and tomorrow evening
nrouses much curiosity, and the two
PLAYS that he has selected for his engage
ment, Monbars, and The Face In She
Moonlight, will doubtless attract large
audiences. One is safe in saying that
for his years and experience, there Is not
another actor In America so popular as
Mr.. Maptell. It is granted that he Is
rarley gifted artist IN portray1ng roman
tic roles. and he has strength and vigor
to u marked degree. His reading is in
telligent and always pleasing. He is
now in the very hey-day of his fame.
His play, The Face In tbs Moonlight, is
familiar, and needs no comment now.
AS whole it is picturesque, vivid and
interesting, and. better than all, clean
and wholesome, unlike the majority of
The language is incisive, the situations
thrilling and the climaxes most cleverly
managed. The piece is nagnnificently
mounted and oostumed, and the COM
pans capable throughout. Monhars,
D'Ennary's beautiful romantic drama,
has story that holds the attention quite
as much absorb as any that the great
French author ever wrote. This of itself
Ia sufficient to account for the interest of
nm audience, but in addition Mr.. Man
tell has the support Of an excellent com
pany, all specially engaged for the roles
they perform, and qualified by marked
ability. The piece is handsomely mount
ed, the costumiug is rich and tasteful,
and all the appointments perfect.
Nordica.
Luckily for the citizens of Portland
Mime. Nordica is not on the operatic
stage this season. When she last ap-
psared here she was great artist, today
shs is peerless. No other living artist
could have sung the part of Elsa in Lo-
hengrin with such angelic beauty and
purity of tone, such sweet and winsome
facial expression, or with greater ease
and sDontareity of voGalization as dld
Nordlc ut the recent Wagnerian festival
at Beyreuth We are doubly fortunate
to have chance to hear her at the very
beginning of her extensive tour, before
her voice has had occasion TO lose the
freshness following summers rest.
She will appear at Portland Theatre
Thursday evening.
The artists surrounding Nine. Nordica
are in every way worthy Of the honor OF
being in her company. Mime. Scalchi,
the phenom email contralto, has been
heard here before. The success she then
achieved will not soon he forgotten by
those who were fortunate enough to hear
her. Scalchi is known all over the
civilized world, and has been the prima
danna contralto Of every great operate
organization il the present generation.
Soma magnificent contraltos have been
heard in America, but only one Scalchi.
Mr.. Barron Berthald, though not SO
well known as either Nordica or Scaichi,
is d tenor with great future. 1t is nc
Reszse's most formidable rival. Last
season he was the primo tenor OF the
Damrosch Opera Company.
The baritone, Mr.. John G. Dempsey,
has sung in grand opera, oratorio and Oh
the concert stage with unqualified sue
cess. He possesses voice Of great COM
pass and remarkable sweetness of tone.
~ ~ iCf
panic MEe. Nordica ON her last con-
Snrt tour; he has been heard here before.
The following will be the programme:
Piano Solo Rhapsodie No. 6, Liszt
Mr. Iaidors blackstone.
Aria-Honor and Arms, Handel
MIR. Jno. G. dempsey.
Cavatin a--Nobil signor Huguenots),
Meyerbeer
Mme Scalohi.
Recitation and Romanza Ola Fora :.
del Destino) Verdi
Mr.. Barron Berthald.
Hungarian Aria-Erzebsth. Erkel
Nine. NordiGa.
INTERMISSION.
All Rendimi "a. D. 1889, F. Rossi
Nine. Scalchi.
Aria-Don Giovanni, Mozart
Mr.. Barron Berthald.
Aria-Dich, theure Hale (THnhauser),
Wagner
Nine. Nordioa..
EeTenade-FausE, OouLoa
Dir. Jno. C. Dempsey.
Ouartatte- Rig oletto. Verdi
Mines. NoFdica, Scachi. Messrs. Barron
Bertnald and Dempsey.
Thos. @. Seabrooke.
Thomas @. Seabrooke, who will appear
at Portland Theatre Friday and Satur-
day of this week, comes in new role.
He has exchanged comic opera for COM
sdy, taking the principal part in The
Spectator. OF Mr.. seabrocko's ab-
pearance in Boston, the Globe said: Mr..
seabrooke's imperson alton Of the princi-
nal role vvas admirable as whole. He
combined drollery, roughness Of manner
and an honesty Of method totally differ"
ent from his more familiar burlesque
presentations. He played in n somewhat