The Portland daily press., 1898-03-23
MusIc AND DRAMA
LES cLocHEs DE ooRNEvILLE


The Jaxon opera company appeared for
the second evening of their engagement
last night in Pianquette's tuneful
"Clocbes de Bonneville" more generally
known TO audiences in this country as
"Tbe Chimes of Normandy, or Bells of
Corneyille.' There was large audience
present, but we wish to emphasize the
hope that our music loving public will
pack the house at every performance. 1t
ia delight and good lesson as well, to
listen to the fine work of the chorus and
orchestra and not the beauty Of shading,
the perfection of the ensembles. And
this pleasure, too, is afforded at prices
within the reach of almost everyone who
is fond of popular amusement.
Last evening the greater portion of the
work was laid on Mile. Diard as Ser
polette, Miss Daise Thorne as Germaine,
Mr.. Winfield Golf as the Marquis, and
Mr.. Payne Glare as Jean, that Is the
vocal burden, while Mr.. Frank Deshon
assumed the character OF the old mlser,
Gaspard. Mile. Diard was as effective
in light as in grand opera. She made
a bright, saucy Serpolette, the good Tor
nothing. Her 81 may be princess
in the first act, WAS sung with much cnlc
and was heartily applauded, as was the
aria "Not a ghost at all, " in the second
act. Perhaps one of the finest things
in the whole opera was the qulntetpe,
"SiIent Heroes near the close OF the
second act, sung by Serpolette, Germaine'
Henri Jean and the bailiff. 1t was de-
servedly encored. sAiiss Thorne has mu-
steal, agreeable voice, not very strong
and she sang the music of her part accep-
tably. Especially was this the case IN
the Legend of Corneville'' in the first
act, and the duo with Henri in the thira
act. Mr.. CIarke's fine tenor had scope
for display in the barcarole, ION blllow
rocking" In the first act, and the con-
certed music throughout the evening.
Mr.. Golf made fine Henri, Marquis OF
Bonneville. He was fully in accord with
the spirit of the role and sang the music
excellently. The yalse rondo in the flrst
act, and the celebrated knights of
Old" with chorus in the second, were
yoceferously encored. A very neat bit OF
work was done by Mr.. 81. W. frederick
as the bailiff and his buffo song was
redemanded. Mr.. Holly was amusing
as the notary.
MIR. Deshon's representation of the old
miser was thrillingly realistic. 1t was
one of the best Gaspards we have ever
seen, and the scene in which he is dis
coc<lQ at
second act brought a storm OF applause.
He received the compliment OF call
before the curtain.
But as we have said, from an operate
standpoint, it was the concerted music,
thu chorus work and orchestra that were
especially noticeable last night. Fra
Diavalo' will be given at the matinee
today and "Trovatore" tonight.
THE WILBUR OPERA COMPANY.
A company SO well-known as the Will
burs needs but little particularlzatio
for the fun which they put into an enter
tainment of about three hours at 80 popu.
lar O price, is all sufficient to attract
large crowds.
Thus they were greeted at yesterday S
matinee when May Baker in the title
role Oliyette, charmed by her vivaclty,
and Gus Vaughrn personated the
brusoue Captain de Merrimac, while
as usual. the comedy element was intro
duced by Kohnie and others in the cast
adequately filed the bill,
Passing to the evening, the versatility
of the oomrany WAS shown, when SEMI
circle was formed and half hour OF old
time ninstrelsy was given with hohnle,
Lamar. Haskins and Williams as end
men, andI E. n. Drew as inter-
Iocutor, with bevy of prettily costumed
girls for the chorus
After this came Fra Diayolo. with it's
bright, catchy music, it's animated and
lively chorus, all of which was happily
rendered
Living picture followed, battle scenes,
the heme OF Miles Standish, and fac
eirnile of the celebrated Hoffman house
painting, the "Nymphs
A notable feature Is when the march il
taken up and the precision and accuracy
of the evolutions are out of the ordinary.
The specialties which this company
offers, quartettes, coon songs, ETC., give
variety to the performance, and one oil
tho looked for features is the animated
song sheet.
At boday's matinee and evening per
forinance Balfe's Bohemian Girl is billed
NOTES.
Hatch, Skillins and Mcconnell the mu
steal team OF this city made great hi
at Keith's Boston theatre, last week, AND
are engaged to make tour of the Keith
circuit later in the season.