The New York herald., 1868-05-16


MRS. PRossER's RRADNGs.-That well-set little
ojou, half theatre and half lecture room the the
atre OF the Union League Club, was tolerably well
filed last evening-he occasion being rendition OF
selections from Shakespeare by Mrs. Prosser. The
programme consisted Of the second scene of the
first act OF "Hamlet" in which the soliloquy;
scene first and second OF the third act, including
Hamlets interview with his mother ptmprecattOn
sur Rome from Corneie's "Horaces.n and Shak-
speare's "Tamng the Shrew." condensed into three
acts and without any particular felicity Of con-
densaton. Mrs. Prosser. as reader is ex-
! actly. what would be termed an excellent
eocutionist in the exact conventional sense
Of that termthat is her reading is painfully want
ing in naturaness both regards the infections OF
the voice and as regards facial expression. whether
this is to be interpreted as censure or praise how
ever depends upon ones notions Of efective elocu.
tion. II by good elocution be meant an OVERRIDING
OF nature in high-tragedy buskins, Mrs Prosser's
eOcutiOn is exactly what It should be and errs In no
respect; but II, on the other hand, there be more
tragedy in real life, with its quiet spontanley of feel
ing, than In any assumed tntOnations and graces,
then Mrs. Prossers eocution is somewhat in error
in error in fact to the extent that 1t counterfeits,
ay IN u e reader
ingly fOrgets that she is reading The only
question at issue is whether the elocutionist shall
represent nature simply or whether he or she shall
act nature-be nature for the time being dsrObed OF
all convent0nalism. Mrs. Prosser's rendering OF
the soliloquy If the latter be the true theory, was
considerably at fault. In certain conventional
sense she decaimed the piece remarkably well; but
there was % s none Of the 5s
clamatOry Outbursts OF Mrs. Prosser's rendering.
Brilliant 1t may have been land was) as an enort Of
voice; but the poor daZed, bewildered Hamlet had
been expunged from the text and for him the reader
had substituted something OF her own creation.
On the other hand, in the selections from the third
act the reader was more natural, and hence vastly
more effective, rising, as she did IN some half
dozen passages into the bold and electric passion OF
true elocution and only falling with the ghost from
lack OF natural infection in the monotone. The
fmprecdton from Corneille, was also felictousy de-
claimed though II must be admitted that there not
more than two women living who can curse dignifed-
ly-viz., Madame Ristori and Miss Janauschek. In
"Tamng the Shrew" the reader was more at home
than in either Of the former and tragic moods,
all OF which proves that Plato was not exactly as
profound as he might have been when he announced
that the greatest master Of tragedy OF necessity
the greatest master of comedy. On the whole, how
ever, Mrs. Prosser's reading must be pronounced a
success, being amenable to criticism only on the
ground OF certain straining at ehect-a fault from
which no one OF our leading elOcutiOnsts has ever
wholly succeeded In breaking away.
THEATRE FRANCAIs-"CROwN DIAMONDs."-The
name Of this opera is appropriate, for no more spark
ling, melodous or graceful work ever emanated
from the fertile brain Of Auber Its melodies form
corOnet of vocal brilliants such as are rarely
gregated together in single OPERA and its chOruses
are varied and highly effective. Miss Richings
evinced her judgment in selecting this opera
for. her benefit, for, independent OF its
own intrinsic merits, it is admirably sung by
her company. better quartet could scarcely
be found than that which comprises such trained
artist and excellent actress as Miss Rchngs such
charming contralto as Mrs. E. Seguin such capable
tenor as William Castle, and such a magnificent
baritone as S. @. Campbell, who well deserves tho
title of the American Santley: In the nOrid aria OF
Miss Richngs sang much better than we have
heard her before this season; and the difficult
musical pearls, were given by her without any of
those Objectionable pecuarties OF style and voice
which sometimes mar her best efforts Her costume
as Queen in the last act was exceedingly rich and
"Ristorian." Although there Is need, in Opin
ion of adding soprano alto tenor and baritone solos
to the music of Auber from the works of any English
composer, yet the exquisite manner In which Castle
sang 'Oh, Whisper What Thou Feelest' would be
sufficient for its Interpolation in the opera We
must also speak in high terms of the nimitabe acting
of Henry Peakes In the comparatively small part OF
the Minister OF Police. The chorus is superior to
what we generally hear in any kind OF opera in this
city, The only objection we could md In the render
ing in the orchestra and conductor. The former
leader took unwarrantable liberties with the tempt,
especially in the overture. The scene in the first act
not as afectiYe as by making it mountain scene:
"Fra DiavoO'' at the matinee and ''rhe Doctor Of
Alcantara" In the evening.
Musical and Theatrical Notes.
Madame RistOri appears at the Brooklyn Academy
on the 23d instant In the role of Sor Teresa. On
the Goth and 2lst she will perform in Hartford and
on the 22d in New Haven. On Monday week she re-
turns to the Theatre Francois as Marie Antoinete.
Rumor has 1t that Miss Lacoste Is to be the leading
lady at Booths theatre.
The musical festival to be held at Steinway Hall
next week promises well 80 far.
The following case was lately before Chicago
court:-Annie c. Butts VS.. Edward M. Sargent and
Charles Smith. Action Of trespass. Damage laid Mt
$1,000 Plaintiff in affidavt for writ OF cdpfds
charges that the defendants the Sh OF April last
broke into her dwelling 1853 South Market street and
ledge and consent, her household furniture valued
at about $500, and trunk containing one pound Of
auburn hair, valued at $50; powder box, two gold
rings diamond pin and portion Of watch chain.
Madame Realdi soprano, and v,rgiiio violin, gave @
fashionable concert in Pera, COnstaItinOple on April
16, at the French Embassy.
concerting In the lsthmus.
Signor Casella, celebrated violoncellist, gave
concert at the Russian Embassy, COnstantnople on
April II.
an entertainment at Shanghae couple Of months
Jarrett Palmer promise great things at Niblo's
In the fall
SO do the other managers at their respective
theatres.
successor for the Ristori furor. Something immense
George Morgan does not play in any church at
present. Probably he will next organize music at
St. stephens, Twenty eighth street.
wagner's 'Meistersinger," which was to have been
produced at Munich next month has been postponed
to the autumn.
A new opera by F. Won Flotow ana Richard Genee
has been given at Prague with some success. IL Is
called "Am Runenstein."
M. Gounod is at present hard at work on his
Francesca da Rimini," though suffering severely
from acute rheumatism.
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.
One OF the curiosies in the way Of politics has
lust been developed in Perry county, Pa, at meet