The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-21

The least interesting fact connected with Mr.. Pea.
lUdy's roblc giit that from thi, source alone fh9
trustees Will probably be abe TO build a new
house every two years and Dy investing It's rental
In a like way, make The charity a constantly iu-
crcnsing enc.
AGTORs-ACTRESSEs-OPaRA SINGERS
Il is quite common for critics or for those who
pretend to be critics, TO use the word "ovcract"
when speaking OF a theatrical performance; but
what is considered overacting by the fastidious
few is often applauded by the many. Some think
Forrest is one of those "robustious, periwg plted
fellows, who tear passion to tatters, to rags 20
split the ears OF the grouudlings" "IIamlet," in
his instructions to the players, says "such a
fellow ought 20 be whipped for out. doing Terma-
CANT Aud yet Forrest has always tickcd the
eyes and cars of the "grUuudngs," drawn full
houses, and received the most enthusiastic pau-
uitk Of the pit Theatres once had place called
thopit, but we believe the more fashionable par
quet has now taken its place.
No doubt this celebrated trngedian's rcputltion
received its tiIst impulses lr1m the hd5iiias of
the old-fashioned pit. lie did not then-what-
ever he may 10 s.Uw-"aCqure and beget, in the
very tor;--t. ten npestand whirwind OF his passion
temperance ,Sat gave it smOIthuess.' shake
spcare would not have liked or commended such
acting. In the estimation Of the "grOundings," {"
he must have appeared tame, and even dull on the
stage; and yetWC have every reason for believing
AHAN III hl' hNilhB hb uNlh lut mirror uU TO
nature, and his performance could not have been
characterized by the use of the word "oyerlctpg "
At one time in LcndOn there was much excite
ment in relation TO Garrick anu Barry. Both had
their particular friends and admirers and of
course these admirers did not agree in opinion
about the merits OF these celebrated actors Barry
was tll, very handsome, and graceful in all his
motions; but GarriCk was under middle size, and
the autocrat OF DTury Lane Tn ltre. There was
a contest between them which continued twelve
nights, and Romeo and Jitiict was the play Barry
performed "ROmCo" in COvent Garden against
Garrck in Druiy Lane. The fever ran high and
the people got enough of the lovers of Verona,
especially the country folks who visited London
Some wit, out OF patience, and signing for "A
change of the programme, wrote this epigram -
"'Wsl, what's to nightT says angry Ned,
As up from bed he rouses,
Romeo again he shaNes his head;
A plague on both your houscs'l"
The beautiful Miss Bellamy played outlet" to
Gmrlck. and Mrs. CtBber played the same char
acter with Barry. Mr.. Doran says -
"There is no doubt that Mrs. Cbber had the
handsomer, more silyery .tongued, and tender
lover. She seemed to listen to him in sort of
modest ecstasy while Miss Bellamy, eager love
in her eyes, rapture in her heart, and amorous
impatience in every expression, was ready to
fling herself into 'RomCO's' arms. In BaTry's
'RemeO' the critics laud his harmony of felture
his melting eyes, and Lis unqualified plaintive-
ness of voice"
As for the rival Juliets, it is said that Bellamy
was more tender and natural, while Cibber was
grander and more tragic. But the contest wa
between the two Romeos. lady who did not
pretend to be critic, but had common sense
and was guided by her feelings, seems to have
ably distinguished between them. She said :-
Had been Jlliet' to Garu-ks Romeo so
ardent and impassiOned was he, should have
expected that he would come up 10 me in the bal
COny but had been Juliet to Barry's Romeo
so tender, so eloquent, and seductive WAS he, /
should have certainly gone dOiCH to him
This woman, blessed with good share Of
common sense, and possessing the true sen.i-
ments and feelings of her sex, hIt the nail on the
head exactly What she said was worth a vol
ume of criticism on the subject however ngeni-
ousy and ably II might be written. Oyeractng,
rantng, raying guttCrul tones tearing passions
TO rags" can never take the place OF expressive
looks, distinct articulation, and Il correct ntona-
tiOn of the voice. These, with proper attitudes
and gesticulations, will always lind avenues TO
heart worth winning, and strike iaYOrably mind
whose opinion is worth having.
The same remarks may, with propriety, be ap-
piled to opera singers and here is a wide field
for just criticism. IL is well known to all opera
goers that the passion of love forms the theme of
the most touching melodies and duettOs in all
operas, and especially in the Italian. The love-
making tenor and the sweet responsive soprano
must not be oyerstrained, and "eXplosive tones"
should be used with great care. The action, too,
must not be too violent or startling, as is too
often the case with performers especially IN the
passage, "False one, / love thee STILL"
in Belini's operalOf La SOmRaDlbuld. We have
heard this intense sentiment Of love rendered by
a performer in explosive tones and with violent
action that spoke more of anger than of the ten
der passion, aud yet he singer was celebrated as
a good tenor. The trouble with him was, he
either did not understand the sentimentand emo
tion the author designed or was uupardOnably
careless and negligent in his role.
Such sentimental passages do not require a
mUniac's cOuntenanCe nor maniaCs voice or
action. but they do demand deep feeling and
intense emotions. And these must be felt by the
performer before proper expression can be given
an intensity of passion, there must be "a deep uu-
GeTly ing current which is not shown in violent
Of the body, nor in explosive tones
of the voice.
In warlike music or in patriotic songs, a decla-
matOry style may be used 70 q certain extent,
stages OF them may demand explosive tones aud
powerful gesiicuations in order to their full de-
yelopment and expression. L. public speaking,
too, there is such thing rs overriding. There
is wide difference between true OratOry aud
violent defamation. Kossuth furnishes an eX-
Cgllent model Of true elOquence. In his speaking
Is shown the remarkable power of distinct ar
tiD ulaliOn, correct inonaiiOn, and appropriate
action. He never OyeTact, nor strains, nor
cracks his voice, however deep and strong the
emotions may be with which he wishes 10 sir
the hearts Of his auditors. And yet no living
orator can stir the hearts Of ,hs multitude deeper
than Kossutb.
But we have already written more than we
intended. The subject is truthful, and to do any
thing like justice to it would require a volume
ms cad Of newspaper column, We commend
to all what the woman said about "ROmeO" as
rendered by the celebrated actors, Garrick and
Barry, Portland Net08.
Worm LIVING FoR.-"when from my room