The Portland daily press., 1900-04-25
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
srRApELLA.

evsning, was delighted ana ensnnmAssic
ems e well, over the psrforman % Of Elo-
/ tew'a epsra Of stradelia, which was
brought cut By Mr.. o. Stewart Tayler.
The opera itself is thoroughly Italian
In the quality Of its music, and equally
Characteristic in the plot, which gives
opportunity, howsvsF, for many snsosivs
and charming situations. There Is m ueh
IN the musio that IL tunsful and sttrao-
tive, and In certain ciimaxss. fine oon-
csrted hArmony and dramatic feeling.
and with vsnios for the background,
what could make more romantic or Pic
turssqus ssttinsf
So the opening scene with the gopdoia,
the men with the mandolins and guitars,
and the handsome stradeIls, singing bis
ssrsnads efore Leonora's houss, all to-
geshsr start on s's interest at once.
The cast 40 be fore published was;
I,eonora. Marcia Graft
Stradslla, John Lloya
MalvoIio. ]. Parker Coombs
Barbarina. Hsrbsrt A. Cofiin
hassi, Howard oeesens
These singers, with the exception Of
Mr.. Coffin and Mr.. Stevens Of Portland,
are ell protest. onals, and as rumor has IT
that perhaps Mr. Coffin may join these
ranks In the near futars. he may 81 least
To regarded a. ssmi-professionaL
Aiss Craft. whose beautiful voice has
always been much admired BY Portland
people, appsarsd at her very best in this
part, and especially In the opening scene
of the second act, she showed her wondsr-
full vocal ability, and aroused an enthu-
siastic encore. She has as we'll, modest
and pleading manner, which goes long
way towards Negotiating herself with
her audience.
Mr.. Lloyd 10 Q well knewn professional
and possesses . vigorous and sympathstic
tenor voice, graceful, easy manner OF
acting, and 10 he looks the lover TO per-
lection he was admirably adapted TO his
part.
The two bandits, Malvoio and Bar.
barina were both capital in their roles.
and together did some Of the best bits Of
acting. which were done in ths whole
opera.
MIR, Coon observation-disclosures Q dig, ro-
bust basr voics that seems to tslong to
the typical ruffian, and it rolled out wish
sxoellent effeot In certain scenes.
1t has been said that the opera Of Stra-
della has not been given 90 often a. It
would have been, owing to the fact that
there are very few tsnors who can sing
high enough to assume the role Of Bar.
barina. This part was sustained By Mr..
Coffin in q manner most crsditabis
both dramatically and vocally. He has
swsef, clear tenor voice and sings with
ease and musical appreciation. MIR.
stevens, too, deserves praise for his good
work as "Bassi."
The large chorus was surely Q most
sffestive and satisfactory part Of the per
formanoe. There WIS good balance OF
tune, and they sang with enthusiasm,
besides making an attractive back
ground by their picturesque costumes. In
the carnival and wedding scenes this
grouping was particularly pleasing, and
In the latter the rich white and gold COS
tunes Of the bride and groom in the fore
ground made In com bi nation q charming
picture.
Perhaps the third aol contains more
that sho ws the real excellence Of the work
IN usically, than either Of the others, and
certainly dramatically.
The scene Is laid at Stradella's house.
after his elopemsnt and marriage with
Leonora, where he and his bride sing the
praises of their native land, with the
two bandits In the room who have bean
hired by Leonora'a former guardian.
Bassi, to kill Stradella. The opening
solos, followed by duets between the
bride and groom and the two bandits,
finally ending with gay quArtette be-
tween the four, were very enjoyable, as
was the trio which followed. This was
bet ween Basel, the guardian. and the two
bandits who were weakening in their de-
sire to Kill StrAdeila, who had treated
them 30 Hospitality. Bassi. however,
brings them to terms by promise Of more
money, and they promise TO kill him.
The climax of the opera, here turns upon
a vary pretty incident. The Festival OF
the Holy Virgin Is being celebrated In
the church near by, and one Of the mest
leautiful things In the whole opera, ts
the choral here sung by the chorus. Com
ing from the church, Stradslla sings his
song to the Virgin, and sings 1t SO ex-
quisitely that he Ia supposed to melt the
hearts of the three who plot for his life.
Instead of cutting his throat they beg Tor
forgivsnes and he generously forgivss
them. go all ends felioitously.
MIR. Taylor IL surely to be congratulated
upon 50 suoess s.ully carrying through
such a Performance and there Is no doubt
that 1t will be even better done Wsdnss-
day night. after the experience Of the
first peIf5rmance.
The orchsft,a did very Orsditabls work,
and Miss Lang. who sang two an joy bic
songs between the first and second Aofs
received much enthusiastic applause, and
was thoroughly charming In her manner
aud expression.
surely the next two performances Of
StradellA, this afternoon and evening,
should be wall patTonized both for the