The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-15
MUSIC AND DRAMR.
THE JEFFERSON.


sight last evening. Harmon, the Horst,
displayed most admirable taste III MS
floral decorations and they called Ior1h
most favorable comment from cltlzens
generally as well as the audience. Inc
pillars in the front entrance Were
wreathed with graceful vines ana all
manner of cut flowers, beautiful plants,
Id rare tropical palms were tastefully
arranged in the balcony and lobbies. The
ladies' parIor and general reception room
were also beautifully decorated. In the
auditorium the festoons of bunting and
the pretty draping of flags added much to
the general effect.
Mr.. Fay is to be congratulated on the
excellent attraction that he has secured to
please the Portland public The Andrews
Opera company came we'll heralded and
the praises bestowed upon them by the
Philadelphia press We're well deserved
The organization is not a very large one.
There are about forty people in the
troupe, and of this number there are
twenty five at present in the chorus,
eleven male and thirteen female voices.
Several of the chorus were unable to ap-
pear last evening owing to illness, but
will tonight, which will increase that
body to about twenty-eight voices The
orchestra for the most part, is composed
of Lowell and Portland musicians, and
they appeared to very good advantage last
night. Mr.. hazelrigg Of the Andrews
com pany is director, and among the
musicians is Mr.. Emil ]. Borges. the
leader of the orchestra in MIR. Fay's
Lowell house, and leader of the Orchestral
society of that city.
The opera presented last evening was
Flotows charming romantic work,
martha. /" This was the cast:
Lady Harriet, Miss Myrta French
Nancy, Miss Nellie Worthlngt0n
Sir Triston, G. A. Parker
Plunket, George Andrews
Lionel, Frank w. Walters
The Sheriff, L. j. johnson
1t is not often that great audience like
the one gathered at the Jefferson last
night, shows the enthusiasm on the
opening night that marked the perform
ance last evening. The applause was con-
slant, and at times it was like a whirl-
wind. When one remembers that the
company is a popular priced one, that the
audience included great number OF well
known Portland people, especially
musicians and musical persons. and that
they were evidently delighted it speaks
with great force as to the merits of the
troupe A feature of this company is that
the recitations are not sung, but enough
is spoken to give aclear idea of the story
of the opera, a very important matter
when an opera is given to an audience
that is supposed to consist largely OF
people unacquainted with it.
Miss Myrta French, the principal
soprano, jumped into favor at once She
cannot be called a stranger to Portland,
for she was heard here as the vocalist
with Sousa's band at the concerts given
by him in City hall two years ago. She
made capital Martha, one of the very
lest of the many we have heard. Her
voice is not big one, not what would be
call. dramatic soprano, but it is of
excellent quality, very flexible and the
lady herself is magnetic. She displays
also good deal of naivete in her acting.
Last evening she fairly electrified hel
hearers with her ''Last Rose of Sum
mer," and its effect was much enhanced
by Mr.. Walters tenor that joined her al
the concluding portion of tho song. A
perfect storm of applause swept through
the house and the encore was responded
to. In the prologue the laughing duet
with Nancy was admirably given and
was also encored, and in the other music
assigned to Martha" she was exceeding
Iy happy.
Mr. Walters has a strong tenor voice
which was heard to it's best advantage il
the beautiful duet with Mr.. Andrews il
the first act He was little hoarse las
night and perhaps it is due to that fac
that he did not shade his music with tina
delicacy that makes the part of Lione
such favorite with a tenor di graZia
mr.. Andrews pleased in the part O.
Plunket, Miss Worthington was goot
Nancy, Mr.. Parker was an effective Sil
Triston and Mr.. johnson an amusing
sheriff. The chorus, especially the male
voices, are to be commended highly, anc
the female also did good work. The
porter song was encored and the grand
chorus at the close of the opera awoke thu
audience to high pitch of excitement
and the curtain was called five times.
was also called after the third act. Mucl
of the concerted music by the principals
was extremely we'll given, especially thu
famous quartette in the third act, and tn.
orchestra was efficient.
Those who fail to attend the opera will
make a great mistake. Be sure ant
secure seats during the day