The Portland daily press., 1896-05-11
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Sousa's Band.

| '.*Ni, Couoa uHl4AS Lac, as sSV, pIio1 GU
| reer, has written GO marches and five
operas, and it is only fair to add that
| these marches have been sola all over the
world. Some doubt has been expressed
MS to their lasting qualities, few choice
grunblers have declared them to ibe
ephemeral and weak, catchy CT reminis
cent, but those who understand such
matters regard them rs strong. They are
full of melody, replete with life and
Vlvacity, they bristle with surprises and
never descend to the low CT common
place, his modulatlons, though abrupt in
places, are ever pleasing, but above ali
he is never prolix; he may exhaust q
theme, he. pevpr attenuates; he may re-
dress q melody but the costume never
offends This was proven at the two con-
Gerts given at City Hall, Saturday otter
noon and evening. At least seven of his
marches were givon at each performance
and they drew the heartiest applause of
any number On the programmes. But
Mr. Sousa's band can play other music
fully as we'll as their conductors march
es. Wagner's Lohengrin wedding music
Lassen's Thuringian Festival Korskow's
Spanish Caprice, NeDowell's In Haunt
ed Forest, Massenet's Neapolitan Scenes,
all these were given with power and
delicacy that marked the most careful
and continued rehearsals by skilled
musicians, many of tho soloists of great
ability. Mr.. Arthur Pryor, tho trombone
player,is one of these, and Signor Nantis,
the euphonium player another Miss
Nellie MacGregor of this city received a
marked compliment in the production of
her Maine Central march, dedicated to
Payson Tucker. 1t was given with all
the fire and life that this superb band
OF so musicians could put into it. The
audience encored it and Mr. Sousn repeat
cd it.
Miss Myrtle French, the soprano, and
Miss Martina tombstone, the violinist,
We're both agreeable features of the en-
tertainments and were Eonored with en-
cores. The evening audience was as large
as could De got into the hall, while the
matinee one was of good proportion.
Chambers Concert and Ball.
Chandler's annual concert and ball,
which Will be given at City hall Mon
day evening, May 18th, will be one of.the
grandest given i'll this city. The large
orchestra of 80 pieces will furnish excel
lent music for the lovers of dancing and
the grand CONCERT, which Chandler is no.
table for, will surpass any ever given
by him before. People who enjoy dane
ing, and good music, should attend this
ball, as it will be tho end of the dancing
and amusement season. The singing
and drill is enough to draw large
erawd, SO DO sure to get your seats Thurs
day morning at 8 O'Clock at ChandlBr's
music store Don't miss it.
The Black Flag Tonight,
Manager Dyer has secured for this
week the Charles K. Harris Comedy Com
pany, which will give performances every
evening, and matlnees daily except Mon
day at popular prices
This company has met with unin ter
rupted success everywhere and promise
the people of Portland week. of unadul-
teratad pleasure by presentation of
repertoire of comedy and melo-dramas,
embellished by concert and descriptive
music. by their own orchestra, and nu-
merous sIecialties by Miss jessie Har.
court, Miss Gussie Hart Miss Bonnie
Hazel and MIR. A lien Evelyn.
Tho "Black Flag, the play for this
evening, is a strong opening bill. The
scene is laid in England, and the grand
climax takes place at Portland prison in
the delivery Of the prisoners MI. Charles
Il. Harris as Harry Glyn,len, portrays
the hero in his usually brilliant and
forcefal manner. The comedy parts are
we'll taken By J. S. Kits as Lazarus,
the Jew, and W. H. Gerald as Soarum,
tourist. It is well worth an evenings
time and the price Of admission to hear
either the company's orchestra Or tho
specialties introduced during the perfor-
nance. Originality and snap is strong
feature in this colnpany's drawing
power.
Nzax Mr, Bob.
The Portland High School scholars are
to present the farce comedy 'Mr. Bob,'i
together with an excellent musicale, on
Friday evening, May Is in AID of the
Athletic Association which needs large
amount of money to defray the expenses
of the big team which they are to send
to Waterville in June 10 compete for the
Maine championship in track and field
sports. "hIr. Bob" which was produced
by tho Glass of '96, short time ago
with immanse success, was declared to
be one of the funniest amateur proauo-
tions ever seen in Portland. So great
was the favor with which it's first pro,
duction was met and SO persistent have
been the demands tor it's repetition that
those having the matter in charge have
consented to O reproduction. 1t will be
given with the original cast of characters.
In conjunction with "Mr. Bob, %
superb musicale has been prepared by
the best available talent in the school.
The rehearsals of @ Mr.. Bob'' have been
conducted by Leroy L. Hight, Esq,
whose operetta ''Pistoi," made such o