New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-04
THE DRAMA.

That description have from time TO time extended by
the addition Of facts Little remains therefore, TO
be said by US, in reference to the building
ITSELF list Of the various artifcers whose skill
and industry combined in its erection, its
decoration, and It's general accouterment has been
published by its manager. They have accomplished
noble labor faithful spirit and assurcdlyin tho
quaint significant scriptura phrase" their works do
follow them" Booths Theaer Is the stateliest tho
handsOmes and the best appointed structure of its class
that be found on the American continent. 1t
has been built to endure 1t rises under suspicious
star 1t gives the drama fitting home. II typfes,
apty and fully the OF the institution which
it represents. May last long, in usefulness and
honor
To say that tho new theater was opened night is to
say that it densely crowded in every part There
had been vile storm prevalent, of rain and snow. and
the streets were in condition that powerfully hos
tile to the pedestrian. Nevertheless, great company
Of peope-representn the culture the magscral dig
nty and fashion OF the cityassembed TO witness
the inauguration Of the new dramatic house Human
creatures, at their BEST excited by an intellectual
impulse, and gathered amid surroundings that are
worthy therhgh mood always present majestic spec
tacle Such spectacle last night at Booths
Theater CHANGING over the varied and animated throng,
you saw many face that study had paled and thought
exalted. Grave judges there, and workers IN the
fields Of literature, and patient tong votaries OF sci
ence and artists from their land OF dreams The eyes OF
speaking at its heart influence Of unwonted emotion
1t was an audience that would have honored any
sion the world, and its presence gave to this one an
Irresistible charm OF intellect and refinement.
The aspect Of the auditorium altogether brilliant
Under clear and strong light from the great Central
chandelier and from wilderness of jets around the tops
Of the walls Garibolds decorations in fresco and IN
Italian marble cement stood boldly out and showed like
what they are-decate works Of that is in which
thought finds embems and fancy takes expression, and
happy combinations Of color satisfy the sense OF beauty
Liberal as the decoration however there is nothing about
1t of baTbaric wealth and gold" Its usor is less than
the Of the stage. The Is not first dazzed and
then disappointed Delicate coors prevails and behind
Mr. Russell Smiths handsome actdrop, there Is brighter
passage than can be seen before it. All tastes must
have been conscious last night OF certain satisfaction
in this symmetrical correspondence between the house
and the stage. There is certainly great virtue IN the
fitness Of things was long pointed out by the
tutor in Fedngs immortal novel Last nights perform
ance was preluded by Mr.. Moenhauers music. 1t waseH
pressly arranged for this by tho able director
of the orchestra-a performer whose works have been
characterized by pantive poetic tone, and dominant
purity OF taste IL is much to say-and may rightly be
said-that the music fitted both the time and place
II began with the Star spangled Banner" MI Booth
then came before the curtain and addressed the audience
so soon as storm OF applause had died away Be
fore the curtain rises play he said "lc me bid
you a welcome warm as heart can make IT, TO my new
theaer. 1t has long been desire TO build theaer
that might regarded worthy Of our great meiropo
lis; and at last my ambition is realized and by
tho kind cooperation OF my valued friend Mr. Robertson
am enabled TO offer this should. however, be I'M
worthy OF this success did fail to acknowledge the
unvarying kindness wherewith the public Of New-Nork
has ever cheered my professionally pathway For
two years have been absent from yOu and In that time
have worked very hard, and endured much an1ety-as
was naturally the with such an enterprise as tins
baud Rut re
trust to enjoy sunshine OF favor When tho Winter
Garden burned had been announced TO play RomeO;
and Il has seemed TO fl that should resume my pro-
fessonal abOs before you precisely at the point where
they abruptly ended. For such defects as may
be noticeable in the working OF the scenery tonight
solicit your Indulgence. once more sincerely thank
you for your presence" These remarks-Which we give
from memory-were received with frequent and mani
testify cordial applause. When Mr. Booth retired the
orchestra performed its overture, and thereafter the
presentation began.
In choosing Romeo and Julie" for his opening piece
Mr.. Booth has eynced commendable desire TO leave
a somewhat hackneyed walk OF the drama. He might
have played Hamlet; and everybody knows how he
would have produced the tragedy, and how he would
have portrayed the Prince. He is identified with that
character, and doubtless, at a later time, no Will
let his personatlon Of 1t DO seen again. In the
mean while, he opens the theator with sub
stantially new performance " Romeo and juliet" has
never been seen upon stage with such appropriate
and beautiful scenic gave IL illustration
last night has Mr.. Booth ever persouated Romeo
with such studious his acting then revealed The
piece 1t seems superuous say affords abundant scope
for the skill Of the scenic artists and for the talents ofthe
players That opportunity has BEEN 10 large extent,
improved Picturesque italian streets, luxurious
dens gay and bright interiors and the solemn cypress
shaded precincts Of the tomb unite in the everchangng
picture, and create such absorbing Illusion that
the spectator Of the loves, happiness. sorrow, and
wretched fate Of Romeo and Juliet may follow them with
a OF their reality and he were indeed
living in remote past walking abont tho
streets and partaking OF the current experience
OF Verona and Mantua three hundred years
ago. Two artists OF high repute, Witham and
Hyard have united in producing these TO de-
scribe all their pictures In detail would require columns.
There literally limit TO the richness OF this element
In the representation. The great the hall
IN Capuets palace the garden OF Capule by moonlight
the chamber Of Juliet tho loga leading thereto and the
cemetery Each OF these ELECTED the enthusiasm
OF me audience, and all deserved leisure
worthy of the tragedy and they amply satisfy tic
expectation that had been aroused concerning them
hOtn scenery and costume, should say conform 10
me ue when the piece was wrttenthe period between
Midday and midnight touch their lips toeeber IN ,b.
| most bright yet most desoate work In the earlier
scenes the universal passionate love OF youth caught
and fixed as IN magnificent enduring crystal Nobody
bho has had youth read these scenes without re-
membering sacred time, when the flowers smelled
sweeer than they do nOw and the winds were balmer
and In the hush Of the night there celestial
and the stars seemed friends and the affairs Of human
beings infinitely remote and trivial and one ar
OF eyes wOrshpped, and one voice was all OF music
and life exalted into sanctity This time can never
| be called back Scarcely, IN the turmoil OF the worlds
life, does realize that ever 1t existed But Shake
speare knew IT, and could surcharge his mind with its
into certain scenes in this exquisite ORA.
matic poem Of love, Of disappointment. and
them, feels sudden sting OF pain, and seems TO have
~ his heart monrnfnl voice speaking unlntellgibe