New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-04
THE DRAMA.

The second Of the series Of six performances where
with Madam RistOr closes her professional tour in
this country was given last evening, at the French
Theater. The house thronged in every part, and
the representation given was worthy both of ths
brilliant asSemblage and the fame Of the eminent
tress. Elizabeth was the drama presented-that
singular series of tableaux which only courtesy can
call play II was acted with the old cast of parts
and the old sets of scenery and it received with
all the old enth lsiasm. Clumsy though it be- in con-
stTuction and false though it be to certain facts OF
history, this curious drama, nevertheless, gives
abundant scope to those talents that have made
RistOT the first actress of the Her splendid I'M
aginatiOn her staeliness of intellect her fiery force
of temperament and her thorough culture in
dramatic art illustrated in this play, to the best
possible advantage. All that Queen Elisabeth was.
the diligent dramatist has suggested-dIawing from
many sources, and compiling with single eye 70
completeness of pOrtraiture-and all that Queen
Elisabeth was the great actress Is in her matchless
representation of this character Seeing Ristori In
this assumption you a woman who was mani
testify born to rule; who has never ever dreamed OK
doubling her divine right of monarchy; who sways
everything around her with iron will but
who is neyertbeless, the victim of human PASSIONS
human weakness and that sorrow which is
Heavens discipline for all humanity, What
any rival genius and aspiration, and in her warlke
defiance of more powerful foe. What her valor is.
YOU feel when she draws the sword of her father.
King Henry he Eighth. What her love Is you know
in her dangerous her fatal dallance with the brave
Earl Of Esser. What her weakness iS-her vanity.
spite, spleen, malignant cruelty, and hypocrisy
you comprehend when you think of her conduct
toward the captive Queen Of Scots. How great her
nature is you understand when you contemplate her
struggles between duty and passion her terrific re-
morse. and her lonely, desOlate, death. Rston's
Elisabeth is, beyond doubt great woman inter-
preted by a great actress. We need not again
point out its particular beauties These
columns have previously done Justice to
the subject But cannot let the occasion pass
without again expressing our profound delight IN
this massive and noble work of art. Time may dim
our recollection of the actress in other chaTacters
but il can never impair in our memory her lustrous
picture Of Englands grandest Queen and, doubt
less, express the sentiment Of all Rlstorfs adj
n.irers when we say that rs long as they remember
ANYTHING they Will remember her Elisabeth. Tha
persOnatOn, as we have intimated was received,
last evening. with the greatest enthusiasm RstoIt
was applauded whenever she appeared, and was
loudly recalled at the end of tho second art-fr0m
which point, till the curtain finally fell. her
triumph was thorough, continuous and brilliant.
The waits were long and as tedious
as ever. Italian stage management Is, probably.
a lost art B0oksOf-the-play. moreover, were active.
and added TO the little dseOmforts Of the occasion,
IL seems very odd that people cannot read these At
home and so leave themselves at liberty To study
and enjoy the acting beside sparing their neighbOrs
ears the infection of continual rustic. AS a last
wOrd-but not the less hearty One-et Us note that
SgnOr Gech in his old character OF Esser wOn last
evening a merited triumph Our stage has witnessed
few specimens of acting natural strong fine, ana
true as was his portrayal of ind ant yalOr and tho
righteous rage of insuted manhood, when, at ths
close of act third ESser filings the fragments of bis
broken sword at the feet of the English Queen