The Portland daily press., 1896-11-20
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Kotzsohmar Lecture-Reoitals.

AOtsAcutuar befl6S uIeW an even larger
audience, if that were possible. than the
first one to Kotzschmar hall last eve
ming. Tho stage was very prettily ar
ranged with its eandelabra of brilliant
lights and other decorations, and she
programme which was a model of good
taste, bore the tri-color in delicate. shaues
of red. white and blue, on the title page.
emusic in France was the subject OF
Mrs. kotzsohmar's interesting lecture
which was divided into three parts, and
an intsrmezzo. The first part consisted
of group of trobadour songs, the writ
ings of composers who hourlshed be-
tween 1857 aud 1541. Previous to the
troubadours the. folk-songs of France arc
lost in antiquity. They app peal to the
heart and display the characteristics OF
the people. They marked the period
from the middle Of the eleventh century
while the songs of the troubadours -four
ished during the thirteenth century. The
kings and princes of France have always
lent their aid in founding schools for the
instruction of the people in music.
France contributed much to the inn
provement of musical instruments espeo-
tally the flute and guitar, the instru-
ments that were in partic ular favor with
the oubadours. In the fifteenth century
the Dutch eolipsed the French in their
musical ability, but with the advent Of
French opera the music of France took a
great and vigorous start that has grown
and developed own to our own times
The first comic opera had it's origin in
France and was SO distinguished from
the series or CRANE. opera that was intro
duoed from Italy. Ramean was the first
he dates from 1858, the year Of his birth.
Mrs. Kotzschmar paid deserved tri-
butte to the work done by the French
Conservatory in the development OF the
musical genius of the country's co-npo-
sers, and of the effect the political tur-
moil had upon it. The great Mars eleaise,
by Rougete L'Isle. was the offspring Of
a genius stirred by the terrors of civil
war. Then sketches were given Of
Mehul, Boildieu, Auber, Herold and
Halevy. The leading composers of opera
bouffe were touched upon and kind
word said for Planquette's beautiful
"Chimes of Normandy. The life of
Berlio whose merits were never ac--
knowledged until his death and who
died disappointed man, was spoken
of aud the kindest of reference made to
Gounod (whose Faust was a revolu-
ton as we'll as a revelation in the opera
tic worldly to Ambrose Thomas, Camille
Saint, Saens, Bizet, author of Corsica,
GODDARD. Mass enet, and the charming
Cecile Cheminade.
ThB artists who interpreted the must
cal mum bers illustrating the various COM
posors and their periods, were. Mrs. Eve
lyn Day White, Miss Henrietta D. Rice,
Mr.. Fred /. Day and Mr.. Harry +. Mer-
rill, with Miss Alice L. Philbrook plan
ist and MIR. Kotzsohmar director and ac-
companist. 1t is well know that Mrs.
White Is singer of exceptionally fine
method and musical intelligence. We do
not recall to ever heard her at better ad
vantage than she was last evening.
Whether in solo or concerted music her
bers were given with SO delightful
a read ing and expression that she was
heartily encored after each. For real
chic, for thorough knowledge of what
Offenbaoh meant when he wrote the
legend de verre from the "Grand Ouch
ess," many we'll known French opera
bouffe singers that We have heard could
have taken lesson from Mrs. White.
She sang the beautiful jewel song from
Faust" SO as to receive long continued
applause, and the aria of Herold's in a
most satisfactory manner. Miss Rice
was heard to advantage in Boildieu g
"Toujour's Seul," and the air from Oil
vette delightfully."-. Her rich con'ralto
voice was very affective in Thomas love-
~ "Know'st thou the Land" which she
sang with great expression. Mr.. Day
was particularly happy in the romance
from 81 oseph''. H is enunciation is es-
peoially to be praised. Mr.. Merrill's
noble bass was heard to great acceptance
in his artistic Interpretation of the
"Serenade de Mephistophile, and the
away enjoyable Toreardor song from
Carmen
Miss Philbrook played the Saint Saens
Mazourka particularly well.
The quartettes were admirable, AMI
one can hardly imagine anything more
graceful and dainty than the rendering
of the old troubadour song, "Chanson
de Matelot". Mr.. Kctzschmar's accom-
paniments were great treat. All of
the performers were heartily encored but
merely bowed.
Conroy s. Fox's Big show.
There are no Irish comedians more
popular before the public today than
Conroy and Fox. They depict their
race with absolute fidelity to nature. In
their new play O'Flarity's Vacation
which is to be presented at Portland
theatre it Is said they have wide field
for their respective talents and judging
from their successes in the past, we have
no doubt they will realize all our expec-
tations.