The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-02
OPENING Of THE NEW ACIDEMY
OF MUSIC.
A Brilliant and Complete Success.

The inaugural season of the Charies'o"
Academy OF Music was opened last night, accoI"
ing to announcement; and, whether we coisiuci
the character, numbers and enthusSHsm ol '"e
audience, the elegance and completeness oi I'LL
the arrangements of the house, or the eAceieh'
manner in which the play itself was presented
the occasion must be pronounced conspicuous
and most gratifying triumph for all connected
with our chaste and beautiful Temple OF the
Drama. ,,,,or
Manager Ford. perhaps with sly regard for the
fitness of things anu considering that the building
was to be known as an Academy" had select
ed for performance on the opening night, Robert
sons popular modern comedy called School"
Mr. Thomas William Robertson, the author, Is,
with the London playgoers the popular drama
tic author Of the day. The comedy which first
brought him into notice was society" This was
produced in London in 1862. 1t was followed
by "Ours." now az we'll known in America as in
England, and by 'Caste," which was first played
about two years ago. The wide popularity of the
comedies OF Mr.. Robertson arises from their per-
feet ease and naturaness, and the absence
of all straining after purely sensational effect
No attempt is made to hinge the whole
play upon q desperate plunge or frantic
leap. The dialogue is neat and pointed
the different parts are fairly balanced, and,
above all. the plot is evolved from the events OF
everyday life with which every one is familiar
Most OF Mr.. Robertson's comedies have been
played successfully in the Northern States and
"Caste" and "Ours' have become especial favor
ites They all require steady and even acting
thoroughness rather than erratic brilliancy, and
if always given as effectively as "School" was
represented at the Academy of Music last night
they will soon become familiarly welcome to the
playgoing public OF Charleston.
THE HOUSE,
As we have intimated was crowded in every
part. The beauty and the fashion of the city
shone in the parquette boxes and gilded circle OF
the first gallery, and the family circle as well as
the more remote abode OF the twenty-five cent
''gods," was densely filled. Not only were the
seats all occupied but in all portions OF the edihce
the available standing room was taken up by
eager spectators.
THE ORCHESTRA
Was much more effective one than we have yet
had to enliven any dramatic entertainment that
has been vouchsafed us since the war, and 1t Will
doubtless improve rapidly with the nightly prac-
tiee that 1t will have during the winter. The
audience, we think, would have been better
pleased had the orchestra been more liberal with
its dulcet strains during the intervals OF the play
THE PROLOGUE.
At O'Clock the curtain rese, and Miss Lille
EdrIdge graceful blonde Made her appearance
before the footlights, and reclted with taste and
discriminating emphasis, the following prologue
from the prolific pen of Vim. Gilmore Simms,
ESQ.,:
This once proud city, seated by the sea,
With subject realm as boundless and as Tree,
Though PROSTATE long beneath an adverse Fate
That left her homes and temples desolate,
Hath yet such wondrous gifts In sea ana shore,
1t needs but WILL her fortunes to restore;
The stern resolve; with Labor in her marts,
Hope In her homes and courage in her hearts,
To prove superior to the hostile blast
And all repair, so glorious in her Past
Not now in arms. but arts, we seek the strife;
The arts alone illume the paths OF Life;
Labor, but blindly gropes along the way,
Till Art lets In the glorious Light OF Day
IT'S she Informs us with the sweet desire,
Uplifts the soul till all its wings aspire;
Trains Fancys height. assiduous, to explore.
Our boundless realm OF rock, and wood, and
shore,
pursues the Muses. to their mystic dells,
Invokes their songs and masters all their speiia;
Drags dim Tradition from his Druid wold,
Wins all his treasures with song or old;
Records the imperfect legend from his lips.
And frees our wondrous Past from long ecipse.
Such are Arts beautifed tolls, and such be ours !
Tonight our Muses. reaSSume their powers:
This Is their temple Bright the forms arise,
And all the world Of magic fills our eyes
There Genius comes upon his beamy car,
And 10 the crowds that gather from afar
Fame mounts his wavy crest, and Fancy stands
On tiptoe, waiting his dkecting hands =
He speaks THE forest moves, the rocks obey,
Start into breathing life and own his sway;
The shadows fee before his sovereign nod,
The Temple springs-the Muses. hail their God!
For Him and you we build His glorious shrine
Claims the bright glances that around US snine:
For Him, young Beauty's consolidated eye
Outnames, tonight, the stars In Beauty's SKY:
Full from her orbs, where fond EXpectance dwells,
Lo I! moon-eyed Rapture shoots her thousand
spells:
Taste comes to worship; Virtue to behold
How proud her aspect In the days OF old:
They heap the garlands for our classic dome,
They deck the Muses. bower. and call the EXiles
Home
Let not the Blgot rrown. too cold to feel
The Dramas glowing powers and fond appeal;
The greatest truths by Wisdom ever taught,
The purest thoughts, by mortal ever thought;
The loftiest moral, with the nob!est song,
That ever cheer'd the right, or checked the wrong;
warnd the wild youth, with counsels sweet as
Redress'd the injured and reform'd the age,
To us belong We hold, with nameleSs grace,
Life's crystal mirror up TO Natures face:
Art sanctify to Virtue Genius make,
Thrice blessd for Truth when toillng for her sake
Shoot Folly as 1t flies; lay naked Vice,
Upon the altar, bound for sacrifice;
And every mad'ning Passion OF the soul,
Teach how to purge, and train beneath control
Here, taught by grand examples. shall the great,
Read Crimes dread penalties in Macbeth's fate
And Malice, shrinking in his Shame, deplore
The cruel fortunes OF the noble Moor;
Murder became Penitent, to see
A Richards midnight dream OF agony;
And each, or high or humble in his ain,
Win the first lessons which shall keep from blame;
Which justify Ambition, and inspire
Zeal to fond service, Love to pure desire.
To you who love the beautiful and true,
Friends OF the Drama, we appeal to you
Come with your smile, the virtuous and the wise,
And cheer the servants OF the scene ye prize;
Bring fearless Judgment; nail with heartiest iaud
DenOunce the Wrong, and still the Right applaud;
Touch'd by the Poets truth, embrace the True,
And be yourselves the nobly great We view;
Spurn shameless Vice; pluck vain presumption
down,
And tear from sly Hypocrisy his gown;
| Cheer infant Merit In his toisome strife;
| And crown Achievement with the palm OF Life;
| So shall the virtues bless your name and age,
| And find their nobest ally in the Stage.
After 6 brief interval the magnificent drop
rose noiselesSy as before and revealed the first
scene OF
THE COMEDY.
And here we may remark. as highly creditaole TO