The Portland daily press., 1897-04-27
MUSIC AND DRAMA,
The caIve Concert.

During the past few seasons Portland
has been favored by the presence of all
the great prima-donnas of the Abbey
Opera company. Melba. Eames, Nordica
have each appeared in turn, and last
night Calye had her triumph. The mag
nificent audience that gathered in City
hall was a repetition of those that had
gathered to pay tribute to her sister
artists, and came from all parts of the
state. 1t was the most enthusiastic
audience that Portland has seen in years,
for not only were the great singers in the
company warmly welcomed and encored
but, above the tumult of the applause
the house rang with braves and braves.
When Nine. Calve made her first ap-
pearanoe her welcome was of the heartiest
description. Her pictures have not belisd
the expressive charm of her features they
really hardly do her justice. Her eyes are
wonderful. They speak more foroibly
than words. Her smile is captivating.
Her stage presence is easy and graceful,
and when she responds to an encore she
makes the audience feel that she appre-
ciates the compliment. Her costume, a
Worth gown in delicate shade of
yellow, was, as was to be expected, the
perfection of the modiste's art, and WAS
set off by the rare jewels that she wore.
Nine. Calves voice has been dwelt up
on so often by the great journals of the
country that its characteristics are we'll
known to musical people. OF great CON-
pass, remarkable purity and clearness-
and this was specially noticeable after
the long operatio season just ended in
which she bore the burden of it's success
SO long-displayi all the delicate color
ing that made several of her numbers q
revelation, it aroused her hearers to a
whirlwind of excitement. In hor first
NUN Der, The Bird Song, from ola Perle
du Bresil" with flute obligato by Mr..
Charles K. North, the voice and flute
could hardly be distinguished from each
other. In the mad scene from "H amlet, "
the great powers of the actress were made
evident and it was here that her wonder
full powers of expression had full scope.
At times her eyes blazed with wrath,
then softened into piteous beseeching,
again danced with delight, or showed the
terror that had overtaken her. Her
action with the flowers was most touch
Ing, and when, at the last, she fell in ex-
haustlon, the house rose to her and re-
called her seven times. The trio in the
fifth act of "Faust" by Nine. Calve,
Messrs. Mckinley and Campanari gave
q little idea of the reason why Nine.
Calve has attained so great reputation
as Marguerite. She gives that grand
climax In SO superb a manner that ii is a
revelation. To have heard Nine. CaIve
in concert only whets the appetite to hear
her in opera. II, under such trying con-
ditions as prevailed last night. when she
was called upon to enact the mad Ophelia
on the bare boards of City hall stage,
without single accessory, she could SO
impress AN audience of thoroughly must
cal people, what must she not be assisted
by all the resources of the modern opera
house. Let US hope that this great artist
may be seen here yet in our new theatre
properly supported.
Mr.. Mckinley sang "Lend Me Your
Aid" from "Queen of Sheba" with great
spirit, and majesty. He has a full,
resonant voice, and he uses it with great
taste. He was recalled and repeated q
portion of the same selection. Senior
Campanari is an old friend of Portland
concert goers. They greeted hin with
effusion. and after his magnificent
rendering of the prologue from 81
PaRliacoi," they insisted upon his return,
when he gave Figaro's song from "The
Barber" as only he can 81 ng it, of all
the recent baritones We have hoard ON
the operatio stage. He also delighted
with the familiar "Torador song' from
Carmen. -
The Boston Festival orchestra renewed
the pleasant impression they made when
they came to Portland to furnish the ac-
compartment to the Creation recently.
The overture to the Meistersinger and
the ballet music from Carmen" particu-
larry pleased.
The concert last evening was the first
In series to be given by these artists
throughout the country. 1t was most
fattering send off.
May Day Car niva1.
City hall should be well filed, Nav Dav