The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-19
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
virginius.

James O'Neill's name is almost
household word throughout the whole
land. His popularity is not undeserved
because it may be truthfully said of him
that he has always been loyal to his trust
as an artist, as he has only allowed him.
self to be- associated with the best, purost
and noblest in art, from the day that he
carried spear in Forests company to
the memorable time when he as the
Saviour in the Passion play during it's
only production in this country in San
Francisco, sprung into national reputa-
lion. His long associations with Monte
Oristo" is one of the traditions of the
American stage. This season ne has
Included tragedy in his repertoire nd
during his forthcoming appearance at
The Portland theatre tonight, he will
be seen as "Virginius," while Monte
Cristo'' will ba played Tuesday night.
ssMr. O'Neill's first performance of
hVirginius'' was given two gyears ago in
San Francisco and called forth &c omiums
Of unwonted strength from every art
loving and conscientious critic. One
paper went SO far as to say that not since
the day CT John Mccullough had the
Golden Gate City had an opportunity of
seeing moro worthy presentation of this
character than rendered by Mr.. O'Neill.
He was praised for his exhibition of
parental tenderness and care in tie earli-
er scenes as much as he wss Landed
for the display of power, rage and emotion
In the last acs. One main reason why
MIR. O'Neill has made success of the
part is due to his wonderfully sweet
voice, whose music vibrates In the ear
long after the curtain has been rung
down. Of stately and commanding ap-
pearance, Mr.. O'Neill Ia said to have
made an indelible impression as the
dignifed Roman warrior.
The Country Merchant.
Comedy drama comes more closely to
ideas of a stage offering, calculated to
please all classes of theatre goers, than
any other form of entertainments, and
therefore the interest in the engagement
of Charles Cowles at the Portland thea
tire next Friday and Saturday evenings
can be readily understood. Mr.. Cowles
will introduce for the first time in Port
land "a Country Merchant" a play
which from all accounts has the proper
ring from dramatic point as well as
comedy, and offers limitless incidents
Ieplete with all the elements of popular
favor. Mr.. Cowles belongs to the in
ventive school of aotors who are on the
81 Cd, 81 ELL
benf1ts to which they are justly entitled.
"a Country Merchant should prove q
potent attraction and the patrons Of the
theatre will be sure to reward the same
in substantial manner.
A Notable Musical Event.
A programme of unusual merit has
place in this city, probably at the Ad-
vent Church Wednesday, evening, Octo-
Der 28th, under the patronage of the In
dies of the st. = Stephen parish. The
talent already engaged includes the ia
NOUS New York uontralto, Mrs. An
tonia H. Sawyer, whose social and pub
lie successes recently have been the sub
jec5 of many complimentary notices in
the various leading journals. Although
Mrs. Sawyer has been before the public
only a comparatively short time. she hss
established marked reputation as ca
pable interpreter Of oratorio, concert and
church music. One of the most notab BILE
musicales of last season was given by
Mrs. Sawyer at the Waldorf in New
York, and seldom has there been such an
array of fashion there as upon that oc-
casion. Her programme included songs
by Massenet, Chaminade, BEN berg and
other well known composers. During
the spring season in London, Mrs. Saw
yer appeared in many fine musioales and
received many fattering offers for i'm
portant engagements in England, which
she may accept later on. Mrs. Sawyer
has G full contralto voice of wide range
and under excellent control. She im-
bues her songs with delicately appeal
ing sentiment, and sings with an under
standing and artistic finish. Miss Shaw,
ths well-9nown barpist, will contribute
several pleasing selections; and it is al
ways pleasure for our musical friends
to liston to the playing of Miss Phil
brook. Kotzsohmar will be the ACCOM-
PIANIST, which insures perfect handling
of this part of the programme.
IN addition to the talent mentioned
above, the ladies OF the Parish Saturday
received a telegram stating that they
have been able to secure the services loi
Mrs. Frank E. Brown, the well-known
soprano of Concord, n. H., which will