The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-04
MUSIC AND DRAMH.

On Tuesday evening noN' oHo N
rosch- Ellis Grand Opera Company Will
nresent Wagner's "Tannhauser" at The
Jefferson. with Nine. Gadskl In her
rraat role Of Elizabth. supported by the
fplI strength of principals, chorus and
orcbestra, and will produce it with the
same nsrfectness of detail that marked its
nerfornanoe in Boston and New York.
Tannhauser was member of the noble
family of Tannhauser, and lived in the
Thirteenth century. He was foremost
poet of the times, and representative of
the later mipnesong. He led for time
very gay life and was the hero of the
Iannhauser legend. According to this
legend Tannhauser lived for some time
with Venus in the Venusberg, but finally
was smitten by conscience and begged
Venus to allow him to depart She re-
fused, but, owing to the help OF the Holy
Virgin, Tannhauser made his escape ana
went to Pope Urban Nv to obtain re-
mission of bis sins. The Pope answered
that Taunhauser' sins could as little be
forgiven as the wand which hs held in
his hand could become green again
Tannhauser in despair, went back to Ve-
nusberg, and was received with great re-
Joioing. Three days after the Pope S
wand suddenly began to sprout, ana
messengers were sent to inform lannhau-
ser of the divine miracle, but on account
of his return to Venusberg he was obilgeo
to remain there until doomsday.
Upon this legend Wagner has founded
txrxbf =
the "forties. - In the cast that Will pro-
duce it here Nine. Gadski and the other
members have all made great
hits. 1t is not uncommon for an opera
to be presented in which the prima don
ma. or some one or two of the support,
make such an impression that they carry
the opera triumphantly. But 1t Is rarely
that from the most importan6 10 'he
smallest part the press has been SO en-
phatic in its praise. And not only the
principals, but chorus and orchestra
and this is the magnificent orchestra LED
by Mr.. Damrosch himself-have come IN
for their share of the universal praise.
Therefore those who miss the perform
ance of next Tuesday night will lose one
of the greatest musical treats Portland
has ever enjoyed.
There was q very large advanced sale OF
seats yesterday. The first person to go
in line took Misplace at p. m. Wednes-
day, and early yesterday morning the
line filed the lobby and stretched out on
to Free street and down Oak street.
The sale was steady all day. But the pub
lie should remember that the theatre Is
large, that there is large number Of
seats, and that there are excellent seats
still to be had.
All who intend Witnessing the Tam
hausersperformance at the Jefferson thea.
tire, Tuesday evening, will do well to
bear in mind that the hour for commend
ing will be 7.3O and positively no later
This ID made necessary by the length OF
the opera and the time required for set
ting the heavy scenes. 1t will also be
great convenience to the many out OF
Gown parties, as seats have been sold in
nearly every city of the state, and in or
der tot give them ample time to make the
late train on the M, G. r. R., (Which
will be held until IL. 15) it Is quite neces-
gary to begin at the hour mentioned, and
bhis. Mr.. Damrosch has assured the man
arenent. will enable him to finish the per-
Torrance by II O'Clock. What.is much
more importantsto know, however, is the
fact that the beautiful overture which
begins at 7.30 will be over at Z. 40 and
after the curtain rises, the house is dark
ned and late corners will not be seated
until the close Of thesact, rule strictly
enforced by Mr. Damrosch, who does not
care to have either the singers or the
audience disturbed during the perform
.noe. Promptness, therefore, would
seem to be almost a necessity in this
case.
ETHEL TUCKER.
Yesterday afternoon Miss Ethel Tucker
repeated her great success OF "Queena'
ut Portland Theatre, in which she de-
lighted her audience on Monday evening.
Last evening Lied Astray" was the bill,
a play that at one time drew crowded
houses in this city night after night.
Miss Tucker as the heroine was fully
equal to the requirements OF the role,
and was finely supported. The play was
beautifully staged. and Miss fuckers
costumes were greatly admired. The
ladies' orchestra has made a marked i'm
preston during it's engagement. The
audiences at the theatre are measured
only by the capacity of the house.
A STRANGER IN NEW YORK.
Hoyt's "a Stranger in New York;
which, judging from the immense furore
it is creating in the metropolis, musr be
the greatest of his many successes will be
seen here very soon at the Jefferson The
stre This company is Messrs. Hoyt &
McKee's own organization. magnificently
staged, beautifully costumed and present
ed under the personal supervision of the
drm. AS an evidence of their desire to
give the very best entertainment, Otis Har
Ian and william Deyere have been with
arawn from Hoyt's "a Black Sheep -
to appear in this new comedy, while