The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-20
RIsToRI.
First Presentation Of Macbeth.


First Presentation Of Macbeth.
since the 6rst appearance Of Rsor there not per
maps an audience which combined much OF the
fashionable with the highly intellectual elements OF
New York society that which was present last
night to witness her first persona.on Of Lady Mac
beth. The appreciation which artist wins from the
public Is not TO DO measured so much by the
number ~ by the intelligence OF the audience.
Both In point Of numbers and intelligence Ristori
received . most aat,ering tribute last night, for
not only Was the house crowded to its full
capacity in every part but the critical, the
educated and those Of the most fastidious liter
airy taste IN the community were represented. The
votariss Of Fashion OF both elegant costume
that impaired briliancy TO the scene, not
prominent than the large portion Of the learned profes
sIonsudges, lawyers artists and erot who could be
seen In every part Of the house.
The interest Of the play was. OF course, en-.
HANGED by its familiarity although the Italian OF
shakesperc differed considerably from the original
Nevertheless the main points Of the tragedy
fully preserved, and with few exceptions the text
very fairly adhered to- The English play was reduced
somewhat to suit the taste Of the Italian translator
For instance. commenced with the third of the
first act introducing the interview between Macbeth,
Banquo and the witches In the second act tho third
scene is curtailed and the fourth omitted the act
ending with the departure Of Macbeth, Banquo
and the other chiefs TO take counsel upon tho
murder OF Duncan This makes striking finale
TO the act, and most imprcsssiveiy done
The famous OF witches around the chaidron
the opening OF the fourth Is left out necessarily
GLIDING the musical additions perhaps Of the
dramatic and most popular passages in the play Tho
fourth and nth acts dovcailod into ono,
ing with tho announcement MacduT Of the slaughter
OF his wife and childron and passing to the grand
IAdV
properly have ended the play, 10 leave with tho
audience the impression Of Rstor's magnificent acting
rather than impair its effect by the weak and rather
undignaed scene which followed.
In Lady Macbeth Ristori had pass through the
critical ordeal she has yet experienced The memories of
many doubtless carried them back 10 the representa-
tions OF this part by other great artses and invited
comparisons which in portions may have been
favorable to the great yd9edfcmse They may have
found fault with the meodamatc effects OF the exits in
the first acts which not essential to the purpose
and other deviatons from tho accustomed rendering OF
the Part, but no ono could witness the superb
acting In the sleeping without acknowledging the
immense superiority OF Rstor Nothing that she has
yet done surpassed IL in intensity aud ia tho Ell ct pro-
duced upon an audience. Tho house rs hushed and
still az II but herself and the trembling doctor
and notwithstanding her every motion and drink.
ing In every self-accusng whisper Of her troubled
dream-were present. Terrible the scene
OF the murder which haunts her sleep, the pic
turc recalled and invested with tenfold horror
by the calm conscience stricken sleeper srtucsque and
terrible; seemingly unconscious yet revealing by the
motion OF her hands in hsr efforts to wash away the
stan Of blood and by her broken sentences the story Of
fearful crime. The choking sob with which she utters
almost nsrticulately "Here's the smell OF blood still
all the perfumes OF Arabia viii not sreoton this little
hand y! fllsd the whole house THIS dsedsdiy tle
most sub!iine pecc Of acting which Risor hes yet
accomplished. The audience did not permit the
proceed without recalling her twics 70 tho stage
after her exi,, and greeting her with Tremendous ap
piause. Gentlemen in the prosrenium boxes, in tho
parques and in the dress circle spontaneously
their feet she bowed her Acknowledgements SO gnu
inc ovation few artists have received the New
York stage.
Making allowance FOR the difference between tho
language Of Shakespeare the passionate italian toagds
In which be vss represented by the arlsis night,
We must not complain zoo hardly Of the vehsmsncs
with which many Of the passases detained, al
though, In view Of traditcnsry impressions, they
seemed some instances exaggerated also the
actions aud gesticulaions Of tho actors.
Signor Gerh, for exampls-who, upon the whole gave
very good rendering Of Macbeth, indeed might say,
many passages above ths average or thoss who claim
staTs-very much ovcractcd IN the murder scene
and he would do well 70 moderate his posnrng In future
In the banquet he much better and deserved
the applause he received Az usual, with every
play produced by the Ro company the costumes we're
magnificent and appropriate that OF Rstor tho later
acts we think, being the most superb We have ever
SEEN
To-day Risiori win appssr Elizabeth Qassn Of Eng
iani 1t a grand matinee the last time shs will play
that character in this city.