New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-25
BJST0RI IN MARIA STuARDL.

We were not enthusiastic over Madame Rist on's
debut, for the reason that we could not be- IT
was not the Ristori of former days; there
shortcomings, and measuring her by the
oftiest standard, we were disappointed That dsap-
poinnent has fed. Her second representation Of
Medea" was all her first not From beginning to
end Risori inspiration and those subscribers who
gave away their tickets allowed their boxes remain
empty, lost what may never be regained Rs-
tor's reception was disgrace to intelli.
gent community; it such as New-York accords
to second-rate ballctdaneer-a by no means hearty
round of applause succeeded by few hands, the last effort
reminding Of the sudden and feeble revival of an
aggavatng showerbath Nevertheless the applause Of
Saturday independently Of this reception more spon-
taneous and discriminating than that of Thursday night
The audience less fashionable but more intelligent
evidently rapport with Rstori, aud o-nights
brilliant assembly showed how quickly an American
audience learn the proper etiquette Of great occasions
Nadine R.sori has her aurels, and henceforth will
be sure of her applause that great incentive mimic
art
Tonight New-York experienced second sensation in
the tragedy Of Maria Stuarda. Ever since Elizabeth
lived and Mary died. the world has been much exercised
the subject Of the Inflated Queen Of Scots Historians
and readers Of history have bothered themselves not
little get the real character Of of the in
teresting that a crown-nteresting be-
cause Of her beauty and her misfortune. Whether she
we're weak or wicked has yet been decided salts
faction nor does the confession of completely in the mu-
der of her husband which Schiller puts into Mays mouth
light us on the road to truth Whatever facts may be-
the world will ever dees Elizabeth for her eachey
ward her royal prisoner and will pardon the victim of her
yndictive jealousy. Woman is not frail' exclaims
scher's Elizabeth "Ezcese inrte aine 81 danno net
fauineo Non eomporto parole al MIC eospettO d,
femminea fraie==a"
If ever a woman proved her fraity it was Elizabeth,
when her miserable vanity petfed her heart mitigating
her to sign the death warrant Of fallen foe. Quite ready
are we to believe in the words of the German poets Mary
when she says, the worst l did is known, and
may boast myself far better than my reputation. But
our present not with history with the ber
ties of the dramatst Interest entirely lies with Andrea
Mafei's translation Of Schiller, and TO that alone we
turn.
We cannot become enraptured with Maria Stuarda. 1t
fails in situation. Out of five acts three end without
point leaving the audience in a state Of indifference.
Coming too, Immediately after melodramatc trag-
edy as Medea this great tamenes the apparent
The speeches. likewise are tooong The play might be cut
down one-third to advantage Iay great national defect
is too much voubiity Nothing in the way Of expana-
ton is ever left to the imagination, and this defect is very
naturally carried on 10 the stage 10 the great
discomfort of foreign audiences. Were there such
thing in the world a star company, the
length Of subordinate characters might be en-
dured but it is almost unnecessary to state that tho
two acts Of Maria Stuarda, wherein Rstor did not
appear were not made interesting by her company.
The Elizabeth of Antonietta Coffin was respectable
nothing more. The part itself is very good and in
the hands of Sarah Felix became prominent
Riston has no such sister; her brother, how
ever made up well for Talbot aud did his little accepta
bly,. Signor Gech looked far more like bis Sovereign
Victor Emanuele than like the ambitious favoHie Of
Elizabeth yet appeared to somewhat better advantage
than in Jason. The interesting character Of Nor
timer suffered terribly in the hands of Signor
Carboni-s gentleman well named, whose quail
ties as an actor consist in squirting, frowning,
and strutting. His solioquy in third of
act second highly suggestive Of the Bowery Equally
funny his death. the pas executed excited admira-
ton from the impossiby of its executonto other than
Sgnor Carboni OF Cecil little need DO said Virginia
Casah was good IN the small part of Marys nurse.
With all kindnoss of spirit ask rLy the eatr 'aete,
are so long when no scenes TO be and dresses
are TO be changed Moreover it
sary that, prior to raising the curtain upon
each act a vigorous e0Rrersa=ioRe should be held
behind it. There seems to be want of proper
stage management. Tonight less than two acts
one was less than the third act wherein Rison is the
greatest.
And now Ristori. Little can be said Of the
first act. An angel from heayen-provided angels
are blessed with dramatic genius-could not do
more than she did with it, There is no
scope for great acting She every inch queen-she
calm and cooquia Her dignity was supreme when
she exclaimed recognize equals but such as wear
crown" Her indignation upon her exit heroic 1t
was in the third that the showed her power
Hertendernes With Talbot her magnificent pose when
the niernalures took possession of her. erransitonto
10y when she told that Leicester with the Queen
the struggle in bending her proud knee to the nfurats
Elizabeth the working up OF all her pentup passion, un
Ill goaded by her tormenor she bursts forth with her
revenge upon the daughter OF Anna Bolena upon tho
bastard were nothing less than superb. This
was indeed an ora di renietfa z Ii tri0Rtof
The fifth act admits of much less action. Ristori was
Maria Suarda and more cannot say. Her confession
was feengly made, she beautiful in her grief sho
was picture in her despair she still grand woman
in her short interview with the recrant Leicester The
curtain fell upon a fine tableau and most delighted
audience
II acting KF.