New-York tribune., 1868-06-25
RISTORPS F1REWELL.

Ristori is about to leave America, in order to
seek the retirement of her Italian home. 1t is
not likely that she will visit us again. The
measure of her fame is full No new domains
of art remain to be conquered. Two continents
know and honor the name of RistOri. Her success
has bridgcd the ocean. Her achievements in
the drama have become famous in the memo
ries of divers peoples, in distant parts of the
earth. Italy, France, Russia Spain, England,
Germany, Egypt, all have recOectiOns of Ris-
tori, in common with the people of the United
States, the West Indies, and the Canadas. She
has charmed them all. In what manner she
has charmed them our readers assuredly need
not be told-mindful as they necessarily are of
the magical spell of blended imagination, soul,
intellect taste, and cultivation that the great act
Tess has woven over SO many minds and hearts.
1t will be sad to part with one who has so
endeared herself, both professionally and so
cially; but sadness is one Of the unfailing
adjunctS of the human comedy wherein we are
all players, and it must, therefore, have its
fitting place Besides, it teStfes i'll the strong
est possible way to the mold that RistOn has
taken upon American esteem and affection
and it is, therefore by no means to be set
aside. She has deserved our regret at parting.
She has touched the springs of pathos in our
natures. She has given MS q great deal OF
pure, refined, intellectual, and spiritual pleas
urc. She has set up high ideals of dramatic
art. She las enriched our knowledge of
dramatic literature, and stimulated our critical
study of the art of acting. Above ALL
she has done nothing to lower the Dig
nifty of the stage, but everything here
IL 20 ..lo in
lar esteem. The final departure of such
an artist may well inspire sincere and profound
sorrow 1t is, however, COnsOling to reflect
that Ristor has had n great success III America
That is no less crcditable to the country than
to herself. If there be genius on the one side,
there is appreciation on the other. RistOri
came hither with celebrated name; but a
celebrated name avails nothing, after curiosity
is once satiated, unless it be sustained by
genuine ability. That ability the Italian act
ress has manifested in an eminent degree, and
that ability the American people have
comprehended, with u breadth and
subtlety of perception that are power
fully and pleasantly Indicative of their
natural gifts and their cultivation. To the de
tails of Ristori's career in this country we need
first appearance here was made on the goth of
September, 1865, as Medea and her last ap-
pearance will be made tomorrow, as Elsa
beth, Queen of England. This farewell per-
formnce Will be her 349th in America. The
character is her best, unless, perchance, it be
surpassed by her Marie Antoinette. Each is a
peerless work of art. Memory, too, will treas
ure her powerful aud passionate Medea her
royal and pathetic Mary Stuart; her
sumptuously beautiful Judith her IA
diant Gamma her tender and romantic
Francesca her stately Norma; her earnest,
delicate, soulful Sister Theresa. In these, and
in many other persOnations-not all of equal
merit-the astonishing versatility of her mind
has been revealed, to say nothing of her glow
ing imagination and her bOunteOus woman
hood. Better than our memories of her art
therefore, will be our memories of herself
May the blue Summer skies bend sweetly over
aud the great Atlantic seas roll gently be-
meath the bark that carries Adelaide Rstori to
rest and to home