The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-30
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Face in the Moonlight.

| 1Iuob oNCA4lk 1lIs
his excellent company appeared at Fofs
land theatre In Charles Osborne's roman
tic play, "Ihe Face in the Moonlight.
1t is play Of the time Of Napoleon,
escape from Elba and is possessed wlth
tho glamor that marks everything con-
nected with the days of the great usurper.
The play Is especially adapted to snow
the wonderful swift dress changes OF
Mr.. Mantell for IN the plays the star as
sumes two characters, Victor Ambrose
the lover Of Lucille and Jacques Ferrand
a thief and assassin. AS Ferrand, MT.
Mantell is first class representative OF
what thorough paced scoundrel and as
sassin might be, but he shows to even
greater advantage as Victor Ambrose.
the brave soldier, the gallant lover and
the heart-broken husband. His farewell
to mis- wife was exceed ingly pathetic.
Miss Charlotte Behrens had the difficult
role of Lucille. She played with taste
and feeling, and showed herself to be
possessed of more than usual dramatic
power. Miss Maroelli made a charming
Marguerite and was particularly success
full in the first act. The dash1ng and
love stricken Captain Naroisse had full
Justice done him at the hands Of Mr..
Denithorne, and the rest of the cast was
nicely balanced. In fact Mr.. Mantell
has surrounded hin self with capable
company; everything runs smoothly and
the performance is enjoyable. The our
tain was called after each act.
Thos. @. Seabrooke.
A new comedy in three acts by George
Fl. Broadhurst entitled "The Spectator
will be presented at the Portland theatre
Friday and Saturday by Tho mas @. Sea-
brooke, and his clever company Of play
ers. The story of the Speculator is CEN
tered in the second act when two rival
spectators fight in the Chicago Board
of Trade for supremacy. For purposes of
dramatic effect the characters Of the two
men are very unlike. The tlge il set to
represent their offices and the excitement
incident TO the rise and fall of the mar
ket is we'll simulated. The two tiokers,
one in each office, naturally play an I'M
portant art in the development of the
scene. The unprincipled broker gains
temporary victory over his rival and
glnats at his downfall. Then turn in
the market results in triumph for the
other and defeat of the first Incident
to the serious side of the story there is
much developed of most amusing CHAR
actar, which is as acceptable to the audi
ence as are the serious portions.
Mr.. Seabrooke has character in John
Fullerton, the honorable Spectator,
which fits his qualities admirably. His
quaint sense of humor has plenty Of OPP
portunity for full play and the dramatist
has given him many bright sayings.
The company supporting Mr.. Sea-
brook contains many well known names
including Mr.. A. II. Stuart, Horace
Mitchell, Roy Fairchild, O. W. Nc
Donald, and Fred Petars, and among. the
ladies in the company may be mentioned
Miss Lorraine Dreux, Anne Justice,
Laura Almonninefand Florence Bing-
ham. The usual matinee will be given
Saturday at 2 p. m.
NOEQIcas
The musical event of the season will
undoubtedly be the grand concert to be
given at the Portland theatre this even
ing. The company furnishing the en-
tertainment consists of aoloists of world
wide regulations. The dramatic soprano
is2Mme. Lillian Nordica, that brave
American gill of Maine, who set
Beyreuth ablaze Mt the last Wagnerian
Festival, who had nonors, decorations
and gifts showersd upon her after each
successive triumph. She will give Port
land an idea Of what constitutes real art,
real singing and real genius.
Nordics is now at her best; her voice
today is flexible and in its full power, her
voralizntinn as perfect as possible, and
her poise as graceful as the swan itself.
Any attempt at analysis of Nine. Nor
dica's singing is almost useless; therefore
let it be said that Nordica as dramatic
soprano is one Of the greatest. if not thu
greatest or the nineteenth century
The contralto of the company ia the
famous Mime. Scalchi, who has been as
SOolhGeu WIGd iii Tie 5reHU OpSEh OrEun-
izations in Europe and America, and her
name is known all over the civilized
world. The triumnhs achieved by her
at the Metropolitan Opera House in New
York, or at the Covent Garden theatre
in London, have not been equalled by
any living contralto.
Mr.. Barron Berthsld, who was last
season the lead ing tenor of the Dam
rosch German Opera Company, Mr.. John
q. Dempsey, baritone and MIR. Isadore
the pianist, complete the
company, making it individually and
collectively the most talented concert or
aanization ever heard outside of New
York.
Notes.
The Galland- Edgar company left Mon
day noon for New York, sal the Bangor
The trip Of the company |
in this state was very disastrous one. |
The company lost money everywhere
and Monday, before buying tickets for
Nav York the paancror hoG To t01aOra !,