The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-10
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Bostoniaps.

see the familiar faces in tho Bostonians
important factor in the amusement world
of Portland, as they came upon the stage
at City hall and were welcomed with a
heartiness that gave tho lie to the OFT
repeated tale of PortIand's coldness.
This was especially the case when Bar
nabee. rs the Sheriff OF Nottingham,
madeEhis fist appearance. 1t seemed as II
the audience couldn't demonstrate It's
pleasures too markedly. The popular
singer appeared pleased and said in his
cool. dry way: Gentlemen, | am glad
you're glad 1t was splendid au-
dience that Assem- nled to listen TO Rob
in Hood" 1t was a brilliant social gath
ering, as we'll as musical one, for it
might properly be termed a subscription
night. The audience was fully In sym
pathy with the performers and the prin-
opal numbers were encored and, in some
cases. fiouhly encored. Robin Hood"
is no stranger to this city. it was given
several times by the parent company
and once by an aggregation OF singers
that was fathered by the other. 1t is
remarkably tuneful, and it is reminis-
ent of more French and italian airs,
from grand opera to opera bouffe, than
almost any other that can be called to
mind. But what of that, Solomon said:
sSThere was nothing new under the sun,
and we rather think Solomon was right.
When Eugene Cowles sang "The Old
Crossbow'i SO magnificently, ably assist
ed by the chorus. the scene most effectiva-
ly heightened by the illusion of the for
est, one could not help thin king of The
Owl and the Pussy cat who went to sea
in that pea-green bowl. But the song
was ,encored twice, and we should not
have objected to have heard it again.
We don't often have Eugene Cowles.
who not only sings the part of VIII
Scarlet. but also acts it. So with
Mr.. Macdonald; his Brown October
Ale'' was given with that spirit and
thorough artistic feeling that has long
since stamped him as an artist Of the
first rank. OF course Barnabee was re-
markably funny as the Sheriff. and he
sung we'll too. Fl is 16 to allusion, when
the thinkers seize Robin Hood, was re-
other dry sayings interpolated by him
that were irresistibly humorous. As
Allan A'Dale, Mrs. Jessie Bartlett
Davis's sweet, stronR.contralto especially
delighted in the song ooh! Promise
Me" introduced by her in the second
Tn 10 vUa
also heard to great advantage and
throughout the opera she acted with in
telligence and vivacity. George Froth-
ingham's "Friar Tuck, - like good wine,
improves by age. while Miss Josephine
Bartlett's Dame Burden" was very
satisfactory.
The new people we're Mr.. William Philip
as Robin Hood, Miss Alice Nelson az
Maid Marian, Miss 8 race Quive as Anna
bel They were all decided additions to
the company. Miss Nelson not only
possesses sweet, flexible voice, which
has been carefully trained, buE she ia a
very pretty woman with face full Of ex-
preston and she knows its value exact
ly. In the scene in the wood as the dairy
maid, with the Sheriff and Guy of Gis-
borne she was very arch and winning.
Her solo in the second act, to flute ac-
compartments, showed the capabilities of
her voice to great advantage and she
was compelled to repeat the song. The
duet between Robin and Marian in the
first act was beautifully sung by both.
Mr.. Philips voice possesses more of the
robust character than that of the tenore
grazia. He acts we'll and he sings with
much animation. His opening song,
Hey, the Merry Greenwood. was ad-
mirsbly given and was encored, and in
the concerted music be was strong
feature.
= Miss Quive as Annabel, was person
of pleasing presence. Of good voice and
she sang her song in the third act with
much expression.
The quartette in the second act by
Marian, Robin, Allan A'Dale and Will
Scarlet, YVES one of the best nu All bers of
the evening. The choruses were strong
and effective and generally well shaded.
The tlnkers' chorus, the bells of St.
OuHtus tuO AcSelvdl Ricc, ftii ICColVcU 6Q-
cores as they deserved. The female chorus
was attractive, and the male also.
The orchestra, under the direction Of
Mr.. studley was good, and the opera
very handsomely costumed and well
staged.
Tonight "In Mexico" Oscar Wilde's
opera will be presented.
A Baggage Check.
Mr.. Blaney will bring his A Bagga ge
Check to the Portland Theater this af-
srnoon and evening, with the idea of
making this farce comedy, one of the
greatest SUCCESSES of the closing of the
last decade of the century. Already he
has earned approval in the large cities.
The bright star in the company is Chas.
3. Grapewin, who for a number of years
has been making audiences laugh night
ly. He made the greatest hit in A Rail-
road Ticket. His bright witty remarks
Keep audiences in continual roar OF
laughter. Lizzie Melrose, as Violet Wild.
q BoweTy girl but not of the rouoh tyne