The New York herald., 1869-04-13

JAsAUscHEK PERFORMING IN EHGLIsH.-Janau-
schek seems to be as ambitious as Alexander tho
Great who sighed for more worlds to conquer. She
is content with being the first actress in German,
but aspires TO become the first in the English Ian
guaee. When she came TO the United States two
years ago she could not speak word OF English,
yet she has acquired such knowledge OF the IAN
guage that yesterday she undertook to perform
IN 1t part of the drama OF "Deborah" and
IN the character of Lady Macbeth before
private audience OF few friends at the Academy OF
Music. This OF course, was only to try her ability
ana TO get the opinion OF the friends she invited TO
hear her. II is but just to say that she surprised
those who heard her, considering the short time she
has been studying English, by her knowledge OF the
language and pronunciation. While there were
some defects OF foreign accent, the language
throughout the performance was well spoken and
with all the eloquence ana power with which she is
accustomed to electrfy her audiences. She does not
imagine she is capable yet OF performing before the
public in English but believes she can do that
within year. She intends to devote herself to the
study OF the language under the best English
scholars and eOcutiOniss, so as to be able to per-
form in 1t on her return to the United States next
winter. While II must be conceded that Janauschek
has made surprising progress IN acquiring English,
that she has extraordinary ability and resolution,
and that her dramatic genius is OF the highest
order, the question may be raised whether
she is not about to make doubtful expert
ment. Few foreigners, even after years OF study
and practice acquire such knowledge and pronun-
ciation of the language as TO be eloquent in it
or to speak satisfactorily to an audience. In
q comic actor defects or pronunciation might be
tolerated, but in the classic drama they would fall
harshy upon the ear and mar the performance very
much In classic language there must be no such
defects Janauschek should consider this Her
countrymen OF Bohemia like the Hungarians, Poles
and some OF the other nations OF Central Europe,
learn English more perfectly and easier than the
Germans or French, and she may have the same
ability, but she should not risk her worldwide
reputation unless fully assured OF that. As German
actress she ID unsurpassed Can she attain the same
position as an English actress That is the ques-
ton. Nothing less should satisfy her Nothing less
should tempt her to make the trial.
ACADEMY OF MUsIC-JANAusCHEK.-A small, de-
voted band Of German drama lovers assembled at
this building last night to hear this truly great
traoedtenne in the role of Phadra. 1t is a charac-
ter which possesses little attractive qualities, the
story being repulsive in the extreme, and when
veloped in the long, dreary dialogue Of the original
it becomes positively wearisome. There Is one pecu
| liarity about the German drama as illustrated by
Nile. Janauschek-she gives each play IN !s entirety,
-
| quence is that in some Of those scenes Of in
tense passion which abound in Schilers play
the strain the power OF the artist and the feelings
of the hearer is almost great account Of what
we might call the unnecessary prolongaton OF such
| scenes. II Is an unmlstakabe proof then, Of the
genius Of Mile Janauschek that She is equal to the
task, and that in no particular does she allow the
interest or excitement OF the scene 10 nag, her her
unnatural presentations as Ph9dra and Medea OF
half their responsiveness and still abates not Jot OF
their power. She is now engaged IN STUDYING those
classic TOieS in English, and has succeeded with
| .DebOrah'' to degree which few OF her hearers
IN German drama would think ner capable OF attain
| OF the next season.
BOOTHS THEATRE.-The tragedy Of "Otheo" first
time at this house, attracted large and substantial
audience last night. AS presented at this fine estab
| lishment with its new and superior scenery, Co.'S
tunes equipments and accessories Of every kind 1t
was almost as good as a new play Shakespeare, III
almost everything, offers so large margin for en-
belishments, that with Booths advantages facili-
| ties and liberatics in this department he has
brought "Uthello,n as he brought out "Romeo and
| Jullet,n In prncey style, rich and ful in all
| its appointments. We recognize In all this
| master in the profession and q genuine
devotee OF the immortal bard. The cast,
! numerous as are the characters, shows a libe-
raj disposition to have each part fully represented.
| The most prominent deficiency to one accustomed
| TO a larger Otheuo W as in MIR. Booth himself. Ad-
mittng that this character does not require the Her.
cuean figure and Stentorian lungs oil Forrest, we
think IL does require something more fort eye and
that Edwin Adams, who plays Iago, and does 1t WELL
should have Oheo and tnat IagO is the proper part
| Othello, for example, call for round and
ringing voice. while the cool and calcu-
IN voice o % &c case Booth
Utheilo with the dignity OF an Oriental soldier. but
his figure does not oil the eye nor his voice the ear
| given us great improvement on the conventional
Moor-in making him lighter in color than he has
been the notion Of Shakespeare, Moor is not a ne
gro. He belongs TO the great Caucasian race; he Is
only tanned by the sun. The Moors, in their day Of
| lied, refined and elegant people In the world. Mr..
Booth knows this, and hence he aims to harmonic
fancy sketch Of the Moor as an African. The Desde
mona Of Miss Mcvicker Is very modest, tender,
| confding and lovable Desdemona; but II she were
| some inches taller and some fifty pounds heavier
she would, perhaps, come nearer the general idea OF
| the arstocratc beauty OF Venice. MI. Lawlors
Cassia IL good, Mr.. Fenno makes n first rate Duke,
| Mark Smith, Brabantio, II hne. and one would
not ask for better Emily than MISS ranny Morant,
to do IL Justice. Upon the whole this reproduction
OF "Othelloa Is elegant, sumptuous ana attrac,
| bill for every night till saturday, when I'm the even
ingl MI. Adams will appear IN the "Marble Heart"
woop's MusEuM.-A tragedy called "Fazio, or
the Italian Wife, was produced for the first time
last night at Woods Museum, introducing Miss Mar
riott az Blanca and Mr. J. f. Cathcart Fazio. The
piece is very excellent one, the dialogue being
strong and forcible and the plot carefully con-
s.ructed and wen worked up, so much so, indeed,
that the interest Is fully maintained throughout the
five acts OF the tragedy. The play bears all the EVIL
dences Of be ng an adaptation, but OF this we can
| not speak with certainty. The part OF Blanca. the
Italian wife, gives iull play Tor Miss Marrlott's
abilities as trd0edfenne and In II she appears to
| heretofore essayed. The conflicting emotions OF
rage, jealousy love and hate, which are all evoked
| by the conduct OF her husband, are carefully and
| effectively portrayed by the abused vile, aud her
| feelings towards the woman who led her lord TO
| absent himself IRON her are rendered with so
natural force that II Is easy to believe the wither-
| ing sentences spoken IN earnest. Miss Marrlott
last night acted with wonderful freedom lrom SUM
| ness stagyness and overaction, aud so completely
carried the audience with her as TO elicit continuous