New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-25
UINTER GARDEN.
LEsBIA, A FIvE-ACr DRAMA.

Lesbs. a tragic drama, originally French, and pro-
duced at tie Porte Saint Martin Theatre Paris, with
success and lately also in Boston and Philadelphia to
the approval OF large audiences, brought out on
Monday nie hit at the Winter Garden, before as many
people az could be seated moi counting many who were
content 10 stand The maoner in which this work has
been put on the stage leaves little nothing to be de-
sired The scenery the locality being with the excep
ton of one act picturesque Venice is all and ele-
gant the costumes itch enough to adorD proud arsso
cracy and their attendants The spectators therefore,
from first to last enjoyed capital stage adonmen;s and
spleLooIs.
Tie length of the piece was exaggerated owing to
The want Of sufficient rehearsal with Mrs. Matilda
Heron Stoepe who does the principalfeminne charac-
ter. But the subsequent presentations the ground
csn be got smoothly and the duration OF the
play diminished. On the whole, however, it went
well, an6 the principals knew their parts.
The plot is roughly this: Two hundred years after
the execution of tho DOge MariEo Fa)iero Orseoo d.
w Walacs, r.), is chef Of the Council of Tcu, aud
virtually Governor Of Venice. At that period all the
deseer Of the Faero supposed to be dead but
one, who had prndentiy changed his name Gsisno
(Mr. Jordan still surviving; and having performed
proejgies yalor is elevated TO the rank of Coman-
der of tho Venetian forces and falls in love with Viola
Mrs. Allen) the daughter of Ofseoo the head OF the
family always a, war with his own. Given, these
good old fashioned rancors have after the pattern
of the Montagues and Csprles stuff for love which
does not run smooth. The play opens with the shouts
of the people OF the Crseolo palace, welcoming the
return of Gslieno from victory. Lesbia Mrs Matilda
Heron SoepeD, an eccentric noble lady, whoae virtue
becomes dubious the play proceeds, stalks IN and
demands Justice because her gondola had been by
GaieDe's triumphant regatta; and repaIaton being
promised, che, in of-band way, agrees, under her
handwriting to become spy over the actions OF the
Young copquerorwhom, no viewer, too late, she dis
covers she il in love withg The various scenes which
follow turn upon thtse love oppostons-the trouble
being heightened by Galieno, when he comes before
the Council Of Ten 10 receive bis triumphant honors
tearing off the black veil which gnomniously covered
bis ancestor, the Doges portrait and demanding that
history and the State raise that patricans character
At one time Galeno turns out law against the Govern
melt, and the watehfai Lesbia is with him. Viola is
taken prisoner by bis men, but is restored to her father
Gaiero at tie tme Impressed by her char ne, re-
yoking his orders to make gu the State. Ofseolo
hate however of the whole Faliero induces him
10 compass Galienos death, aud his desire is extreme
TO find ont it Gaeno had really turned rebel and out
law, but Lesbia will not betray her lover. We have
now great deal of tragic eounterirration both Viola
and Lesbia loving the same hsldome young fellow,
who however is faithless to the Missionaries the rst
-Orseolo the aged father expiring of contendng emo
TONS of which medieval wrath forms the largest per
ceniage-wrath which he says six hundred years OF
family hates and murders had nurtured-a state Of
things not easily appreciate in touch-and-go New
York, where families whisked off and on the scene
of life as fast as old and new buildings.
The drama presents come strong situations in the
last three acts. The part Of 0rseolo, batting certain
sxaggerations was well rendered y Mr.. j. w. Wal
lack who mas the traditions Of the old tragic school,
MIs Stoepe was best in the first and last acts. TLi
actress is faolty in the Of her voice. For tue pa
tbetic especially, che puhes it much too high, speak
from the roof of Der modsh aud uses too wide voca
Notwithstanding pointed intcrrcgatory-tc ex
press affirmative or ordinary coloquid sediments
which demand naturally tones more on a level The
refnt is, 10 speak mildly, practical denial OF the
nearing Of the author, We see no reason why nat
uraft things may not.be said in a natursl way. The
sooner all actors find it out the better for themselves
and the public At times Mrs. Stoepe is eminently
natural. Then she makes her success.