New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-15
RmroRL hs ADRIENNE LECOVVREUR

SAAS
ropean aures and that she does not greatly care for those
that grow in our American thekcts but this enni can
only affect her STYLE and not her conceptions. The con-
ceptons probably remain the that they have always
BEEN it nay be that for audience 5000 miles from
Paris and speaking al unknown tongue an audience,
too that is intent studying the bookofheplay az
10 give neither attention applause to tho artist 1t Is
impossible TO oct with the same interest and enthusiasm
a. in Europe But nevertheless criticism which should
apply to her rendering of part in NewYork would ap
ply with equal truth 70 the rendering OF
the same part in Paris If her Mcdea p a
barbarian, her Lady Macbeth yirago, her Adrienne
Lecouveur sOubrette in America, It's most like they
were tho in EurOpe but it is easily possible that 1t
may not DO thought worth while 10 give Us all the deli
cate traits the refinement OF pansakng the elaboration
Of finish that arc absolutely essential in city like Paris
where the audiences are thoroughly educated to good act
ing and relentlessly exaotng 10 their demands. But,
whatever may be the explanation there car be no doubt
Of the fact that Ristors reputation Is rapidly assuming
with US the character Of problem If she was never
better than she now, if she never ruer pofounder
more delicate in her interpretations how did she ever
achieve her present POSITION to whom did the idea first
suggest itself to set her up "a rival Of Rachel 80
long IS she acted parts which Rachel never assumed 1t
easy to say that her genius is altogether different
but whom she steps boldly into the arena and offers US her
interpretations Of characters with which the name Of
Rachel it, we may almost say nay, we will say without
hesitation sacredly entwined then she forces to de-
clare that her genius not only different from that Of
Rachel but, ia all the higher manifestations, is greatly
inferior
Those words are forced from US by Madame Ristor's
performance Of Adrenne LecOuyreur, in which she sp
peared for the first time in America Monday evening
We saw Rachel in this part occasions, and pro-
found an impression did the truth and refinement OF her
acting make upon u.s. that have no hesitation IN con-
pairing Madame Ristoris Adrienne, point by point with
that wonderful impersonaton To cay truth, Raehsfs
Adrienne Lecouvreur unapproaehabe, and 1t would
argue very flce disposition that could accept so oppo-
site an Interpretation that of Rstor With quiet Impair
TALLY We must take a side and do it without hest
tation
In the first place and this is OF the greatest importance,
Rstors conception of tie character Of AdeRne seems
to all wrong II is thin poor, superficial and, what
is worse a commonplace understanding Of of the
oveest and most interesting characters OF the modern dra
ma The play well known that to anayze the traits
o. this beautiful creation would be almost superauous II
would seem as H. by any one who should read the play
with ordinary attention, the eacstness the tenderness
the noble honor tho lofty PRIDE the sweet unthlnking
spirit OF slcrhoe which make up the name Of Adrennc
would themselves Ielt these htAes ABOUT
he- ike halo at her 8rt appearing and invest her TO
the cuI This would seem TO be evident but what shat
we say Of m actress IKE Riston who Aduelne
sood-nltured, hearty rather gushing acd loud Young
woman with decided talent FOR business and On IN
conquorabe physiqGe7 And what shall we say Of an au
dence that 81 admiungiy under this remarkable
performance and applaud IS yehementv ~ the cad
II u we're really grea Truly one does not wonder that
vita such easily satisfied people sD actress should think
pains thrown away and do her least Tor them instead OF
her best.
Admirable As Adriennc Lecouyreur is, IS closet
play IL demands many gOOa actors that 10 Is apt 20
prove little telious the stage. during the whole OF
the first act AdTenne does not appear and indeed the
second is well underway before that bright longedor
figure emerges from the dresSlng'room studying the
Of Bszet II would be cruel to say exactly 70 what
extent the present performance drags under the combined
inertia of the Princess dc Bouon the Duchess Aumont,
and the astonishing Maurice de SAKE. However we will
date upon the Deficiencies OF the company on the
contrary viii praise them for the general and har
monv With which thew act albeit the ease has little
higher flavor OF rockng than had been led to look for
among the nobility OF that puncillous period Something
Of this effect perhaps ewing 90 the voices OF the two noble
ladies, which for harsh uAvearled mOnOtony, excel all
the voices 10 was ever our LOT "a hear. One may
fancy that whole act IN which these voices
are heard without interruption IN dialogue, that As IN
terpreted by these actOrs, demands perpetual hog
OF boisterous hilsry and spirits would become rather
tiresome, and indeed, think green never seemed
agreeable color than did when the baze curtain
descended and promised ten inmates freedom from
high life in the first half Of the eighteenth century.
Fortunately the next act brought US Mcdonnell which
part saw, IN the hands OF an excellent actor
Sgnor Bnti and admirably did be sustain the difficult
burden Indeed 10 would be hard 20 ind actor capable
OF lettering Sguor Butts rendering. He looks II
thoroughly; the honest warmhearied, faithful busting
man, dear ~ because be 30 truly and tendery APP
preciates the character OF Adrenne.
The hrs glimpse that caught OF Rston as she comes
correct when remember the dazzling splendor OF
Rachels Bsiazet. and the exquisite way IN
which IL adapted to her tall aud slender ngue the
difference between aud the costume OF RstOr reveals
Inference between the women IL WaV Ia make
us smile When saw Rachel the Turkish dress
seemed the only suitable, graceful modest dress Tor al our
mothers and sisters. Eve might have fashioned her tg
leaves 20. This might have been the very dress the
Graoes brought Venus when she emerged IRON the
foam; but there was another charm Raehels dress bad
beside its intrinsic beauty Of design aud spendor Of com
blned color. IL had antiquarian interest beside IL
the very dresshe quaint fantastic Imagination OF
those "teacup times Of hood and hoop az TO what the
Turkish dress might be hkewhch was actually worn by
the great actresses of the tine when they PLAYED the
part Of Baazet II hne piece Of restoration in its
way the robes and Jsvty of bar Phedra or Us the
statedess OF Rstor IN Elizabeth But Rlstons costume
as Baazet awkward and ldesigned. IL increases the
defects Of her inquire ts stoutness and s want Of hight
and makes her look full % old rs she probably Is Thus
her very first Appearance diEappolnts This ~ not our
Adenne the nunhke reserved creature absorbed her
art, among the heartef and the sneerng hiding
close the sweet secret OF her love, and by her mere
presence turning the green-roOm into holy place. The
hrst words she speaks dspe the last Illusion Breaking IN
upon her revee OF the ehstterng hrODg asks her
what she is seeking in her studies Who that remembers
the tone, the air with which Rachel answered" La yere
can ever forget it Il said simply sweey, With
out sectation without assumption, but with the pro-
oundes earnestness From thatmoment the heeT eaped
out Adrienne IL knew that might expect al nobility
from her. Rston s6ys these words she would say II
looking for my pocket handkerchief have you seen il
Mind do not complain Of the natralness Of the ae
cent bat OF the commonplace meaning and the superneh
manner Ii these two little words mean anything, they
ere meant az keynote 70 Adrennes character and TO
misintepret them is 10 betay at the very beginning the
Misunderstanding of the whole ideal creation. All
through this aet Adrenne Rstorl appears not one whit
better than the rest of the geeDIoom, excePe
in the With Maurice whichhas some charming COM
edy in most archy deeatey played by Ristori and the
recitation Of Lafontaines fable is SO beautiful asto make US
wonder how the actress coulds short Of such hight