The Portland daily press., 1898-03-05

Turner rounds out the play with an ex-
cellent portrayal of Mr.. Watkins, while
all the other parts are we'll taken.
Sowing the Wind" will be seen this af-
ternoon and evening at The jefferson.
THE GRAND OPERA.
The public must bear in mind that the
opera will begin next Tuesday evening
promptly at 7.30 O'Clock, and those per-
sons who arrive at The Jefferson after
that hour will have to stand until the
close of the first act before they can take
their seats. This rule will be strictly en-
forced, and is actually necessary to pre-
vent the disturbance that comes with
late arrivals. To enable the perform
ance to close at II promptly is another
reason why the performance must begin
at 7. 90 and thus enable people from out
of town to take the Maine Central train
which will be held until lilo
1t is advisable, so as to prevent
congestion of people at tho door, that
opera goers will try and get to the JeHer-
son before quarter past seven. IL is just
as easy to do this if ticket holders will
try to make entrance comfortable and
easy for themselves, as well as others.
The advance sale of seats has been very
flattering thus far. Over one thousand
seats had been sold up to yesterday. But
the house is large. and there is still a
large number of excellent seats on Gale at
all prices. 1t should be borne in mind
that any seat In the house is good at an
opera, not only for seeing, but also for
hearing.
Speaking of the presentation of "Tann-
hauser'' in Boston the Herald said:
"a remarkable efficient and interesting
performance of Wagner's "Tannhausero
was given at the Boston Theatre last
evening by the DaInrosch-Ell opera
company. Time has been, and not very
presentation of the work has been seen
and heard here. and with cast much
more imposing in regard to the names of
the artists.
sit has been rare indeed, when the OPP
era has been better performed here than it
was on this occasion. What was particu-
larly and gratifyingly prominent was the
artists one and ALL Here and there were
shortcomings, but they were not of cru.
cial moment, except perhaps, now and
then momentary slip into false intona-
ton. The admirable performance of the
overture, under the direction of Mr.,
Damrosch, set an example that was fol-
lowed through the whole evening. The
work of the orchestra throughout is to be
warmly praised on every essential point.
"Mme. Gadski was one OF the most
charming and most womanly of Eliza
beths. She has improved wonderfully
since she has first heard here. Her beau
tiful voice has warmed, the style has
matured, and hsr acting OF the part was
dramatically strong, winningly poetical,
appealing straight and successfully to
the emotions and fascinating the ear.
Mr.. Ernst Kraus, who was heard here
last season, when he met with great fa-
vor for the frankness, the virility and the
fine emphasis of his singing, REINFORCED
the good impression he then made. His
powerful voice, of which he Is unsparing,
seemed to be more open and clear than
it was at his earlier appearances here.
His impressive stage presence, the digni-
ty of his bearing, the graC3 and propriety
of his gestures and his expressive face
play were potent and interesting feat
ures. The fire and passionateness of his
singing, the large dramatic earnestness
and force of his defamation and his ar
tistic intelligence generally made him
steady interesting, winning for him the
esteem of his audience and this spontane-
GUS and well earned plaudits.
However the performance of the work
as whole was gratifyingly lacking in
those frequent lapses from the key which
have SO often been distressing feature
of opera in German. Mr.. Fischer, as
usual, sang like the thorough artist that
he is, and although his voice is not what
it once was, it is still to be listened to
with pleasure. The smaller parts were
all carefully and effectively sung.
"The chorus did its work well, and
the singing of the large ensembles left
little, if anything, to be wished for Mr..
Damrosch conducted with authority,
and showed consideration for the singers
by not permitting the orchestra to over
whelm them"
ETHEL TUCKER.
Miss Tucker and her excellent company
have been highly favored by the weather
the past week, and they have in conse-
quence drawn large and delightful audi
ences to both the matinee and evening
performan great feature of the en-
tertainments has been the capital ladies'
orchestra, and another the attractive
epecialties. Yesterday afternoon "a Lee
gal Wrong was the BILL, and in the
evening ''All in the Family" was pre-
sented. Miss Tucker had added largely
to her host of admirers in Portland dur
in the engagement, and Mr.. II. Percy
Meldon and thu other members of the
support have filled their roles most salts
factorily. The last two perfol mances
will be given today, when "Led Astray"
will be repeated at the matinee, and !" A
Ring of from given in the evening.
SPEARS COMEDY COMPANY.
Speaking of Spears comedy company
which will be seen in repertoire at Port
land theatre all next week at popular
prices an exchange says: A packed house
greeted the splendid production of Faust
by tho Spears comedy company last
night. A more finished, elaborate and
beautiful production of Goethe's eeat
masterpiece 1t would be hard to imagine.