The Portland daily press., 1896-03-13
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Wilbur Opera Company.


At the Portland theatre the Wilbur
Opera Company will begin tSo weeks'
engagement on Monday evening. One
or the operas to be presented will be that
musical, idyllic fMaritapa,' counter
part Of Dumas famous story, don
Caesar de Bazan." There is no charac-
ter in romance or song more pleasing
than the dashing Don Caesar who de-
fies the King of Spain, and who rescues
the handsome Mariana from the seclud-
ed chateau. The daredevil hero who is
not afraid to kill his man on Holy Day
is the one character in Spanish history
that is famous and in the opera, Mari
tana," with the delightful music. it Is
especially attractive. The other opera
which the Wilburs will sing, with its
beauty of concerted music, is Martha, i"
that sublime effort of Flotow. Ev cry
measure and bar of this creation has
bsen called a lyric poem. The other
operas that will be sung are known to
opera goers as the light, breezy and
charming ones, such as the "Mascotte, !"
ERA Diavolo, "Two Vagabonds, and
''Falka.' III these operas the Wilburs
stand conspicuous in representation of
dash and chic that makes them peculiar
ly pleasing and fetching. But opera is
not all that Manager Wilbur will give.
There are those incompatible living pic
lures, poems in grace, and form portrait
ures in flesh and blood. His pictures are
put on with wealth of delightful color
ing. Oyer thirty new pictures are shown
by Manager Wilbur this season. each one
being stage production in itself. The
company is the largest ever organized by
him and comprises all the old favorites
who have made this organization the
most popular now OH the road.
Margaret Mather.
Margaret Mather will probably play to
large business ut the Portland theatre
tonight when she presents Shakespeare's
great masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet
too long absent from our boards. When
the name of Shakespeare is announced,
we feel somewhat like the prodigal son
returning to his own once more, for sure
ly our theatre-going public have INDUCED
in long spree of burlesque and vaude-
Vile and theatric ooncoctions impossible
to name appropriately.
Miss Mather is an actress whose powers,
have wide scope; she has in the last few
years played parts ranging all the way
from Joan of Arc to Name Oldfeld, and
selecting her present bill she has chosen
one CT the most exacting roles, in all of
which she has been most signally success
full. Everything will be done with that
elaborateness and care for details that is
characteristic of our times. Frederic
Paulding, one of the most popular of our
younger leading men. heads Miss
Mather's support, viii Oh includes the
names OF many other sterling actors. New
scenery and costumes will be used In this
production. Miss Mather also has in hor
company six beautiful young ladies for
the minuet; in fact nothing will be loft
undone to make this a memorable en-
gageDaent. Miss Mathers will also appear
at the Saturday matinee in the "Lady of
Lyons" and on Saturday night Miss
Mather will appear in her great role of
'tLeah."
Brown University Banjo Club.
The Brown University mandolin, ban
10 and glee club are to give concert in
City hall, March Both under the auspices
of the Y. M. G. A. The club ranks high
among the college clubs and as many of
the members are we'll and favorably
Edown in this city they should be given
a royal welcome.
Notes,
Conroy and Fox drew another large
au1.ence to tie Portland theatre last eve
nine.