The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-02
Tho Ups and Down. Of Theasrica, Art.


The nis.rionic art has passed through many
curious phases for some time past in this
Kaleidoscope metropolitan community, in a
pccuniary serse as well as in regard to its de-
velopment OF the ever varying tastes that rule
Our society. The present most remarkable
feature is tho cocqual success OF the highest
an the lowest class Of thestrical art. On the
one hand we see Ristori, the impersonation Of
the most elcvating branch Of art, the repre-
sentative of oil that Is grandest and most god
like in tho drama, achieving o success without
parallel, reaping pecuniary reward almost
fabulous, and winning, in social life, rs well as
on the stage, laurels the brightest that refined
intellect and fashion can bestow, from the
most cultivated classes in the country. On
the other hand we find the demoralizing spec
tacles Of two Broadway theatres accomplishing
. most extraordinary success, to the utter ruin
mate drama. The Black Crook, at one theatre,
has just completed its one hundred nights
performances, while the play Of Cendriilon ct
another is just beginning its hundred nighta
The managers Of both places will. no doubt,
realize immense fortunes, retire from tho pro-
fsssiou and be elected 70 Congress, Is tho Hon.
John Norrisssy was when bs retired from his
artistic career, with all the honors In HIS hand.
There are many curious condolences IN ne
success Of these spectacular exhibitions, among
them the absolute decay Of the legitimate
drama, a. We have known II In our New York
theatres for many years. Where II has not
abandoned the boards altogether the audiences
have abandoned the theatres in which 1t ekes
out sickly existence and wsnes before the
footlights. This Is partly attributable to the
stupid management which substitutes worn ont
English plays and poor French adaptations,
which are either silly or vicious, for tome
fresh, racy dramas to the manner born, Of
which plenty could be had II the managers had
any public spirit; but the majority Of them
being foreigners, that could not be expected.
The legitimate drama. then, has been ,om-
pletely overshsdowcd by the centipedal spec
tacles, and even Barnums Legitimate drama
has gone TO pieces Silver tissue, gauxe, cal
cium lights, painted faces and well moulded
limbs, with all the other meretricious adincts
OF the spectacular ballet have rung down the
curtain upon the drama, and the places where
Shakespeare, and Sheridan. and Goldsmith, and
Otway, and Schiller, and Congreve, and Beau
mont and Fletcher were once familiar guests
now know them no more.
As for Italian opera, which was once
almost an essential part Of our existence, and
united so often The fashionable and intellectual
world with the golden links of music, IL has
almost passed out Of sight Even Its echoes
are too faint and feeble to recall the old time
memories. Ithas died Of sheer hamilton Want
Of sustenance in good singers laid the seeds
Of decay before the Academy was burned, and
the later efforts to revive II with ew new
singers, some native and some picked up in the
mcanest quarters Of Europe, only hall taught
and still in the swaddling clothes of their art,
have only eliminated in q disappointed public
and almost bankrupt manager.
The remarkable success OF the Partisan ballet
has operated in some very curious ways. IL
has led to demoralizing and moralizing at the
same INSTRUMENTATION in the audiences,
and moralizing in the pulpit-and II has
effected also at least one eouivocal good In