The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-02
OPBNING OF THE NEW ICADEMY
OF MUSIC.
A Brilliant md Complete Success.

The inaugural season of the Charleston
Academy OF Music was opened last night accord
Ing TO announcements; and whether we consider
| the character numbers and enthusiasm Of the
audience, the elegance AMI completeness of ali
the arrangements or the house, or the excellent
manner in which the play itself was presented,
the occasion must be pronounced II conspicuous
and most gratifying triumph for all connected
with our chastc and beautiful Temple Of the
Drami.
''scnOoL" AND IT'S AUTHOR.
Manager Ford. perhaps with a sly regard for the
fitness OF things, and 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 'SchooI."
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
hy "0urs" now as we'll known In America us In
England, and by Caste" which was Grst played
about two years ago. The wide popularity OF the
| comedies Of Mr.. Robertson arises from their per-
| feet case AMI naturalncss, and the absence
| OF all strnining after purely sensational effect
| NO attempt Is made TO hinge the whole
play upon desperate plunge or frantic
| leap. The dialogue is neat and pointed
the different parts arc fairly balanced, and
above all, the plot is evolved from the events OF
| everyday life with HhlcA every one Is familiar
Most OF Mr. Robcr,sons comedies have been
played successfully IN the Northern States, and
"Castc" and "0nrs" have become especial favor
ties. They all require steady anu even acting
th0roughncss rather than crraiic brIliiancy, AMI
IL always given as effectively rs "School' was
| represented Mt the Academy OF Music last night
they will soon become fanlliarly welcome to the
| playgong public OF Charleston.
TIE HOUSE.
| AS We have ntInlatcd, was crowded In every
part. The beauty and the fashion of the city
| shonc In the parquctic boxes and gldcd circle OF
the firs, gallery, and the family CIRCLE rs well as
| the more remote abode OF the twenty-five cent
| goods" was dcnsely filled Not only were the
seats all occupied, but In all portions OF the cdllce
| the available standing room was taken up by
| eager spectators.
TIE ORCHESTRA
Was much more effective one than we have vet
! had to cnliven any dramatic entertainment tina,
has been vouchsafcd us since the war; and 1t will
| doubtless improve rapidly with the nightly prac.
| tice 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 rose, and Miss Lille
Eidridgc graceful blonde, made her appearance
before the foOtlightc, and rcctcd, 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 MS boundlcss and as free
Though PROSTATE long beneath an adverse Fate
| That left her homes ami temples dcsoiatc,
Hath yet such wondrous gifts In sea and Shore,
~ needs but WILL. her fortunes to restore:
The stern resolve; with Labor in her marls,
~, 1ioi. @ III her homes ai;l courage in her hearts,
And nll repair, so glorious In her Pas;
Not now In arms. but arts we seek the strife.
The arts alone Hume the paths Of Life;
In, n,nnor, but bllndly gropcs along the way,
III Art lets Ill the glorious Light OF Day
,Tis she Informs us with the sweet desire
Uplifts the soul till all Its wings aspirc;
Trains Fancy's height assidu0us, to explore,
onr boundless realm OF rock, und wood, and
shore,
rursnes the MUSES. TO their mystic dells,
lnvokeS their songs ana masters all their smells.
Drags dim Tradition from his Druid void
WINS oil his treasures with Sung OF old;
Records the imperfect legend FROM his lIps
And frees our wondrous Past from long ccpsc
Such are Arts bcautlned tolls, and such be ours
fGs tner tcinpio fright the f6rmsH HfMH6f Ha6ffsc,
And nll the world OF magic fills our eyes
There Genius comes upon his beamy car
And 10 | the crowds that gather from afnrl
On tptoc Waiting s his accns Gees hands asSy
lie speaks THE forest moves, the rocks obey,
Start nto breathing life n and own his sway
The Temple springs-thc MUSES. hall their God II
Claims the bright glances that around us shIuc:
For Him, young Beauty's consolidated eye
Full from her or6s, where fond EXpectance tlwclls
20 moon-cycd Rapture shoots her thousand
spells:
Taste comes to worship; Virtue to behold
| How proud her aspect III the days OF old:
They heap the garlands for our classic dome.
| They deck the Muses. bower, and call the Exilcs
Home!
| Let not the BigOt fr0wn, too cold to feel
The Dramas glowing powers nnd fond appeal;
The greatest truths by Wisdom ever taught,
The pnrcst thoughts, by mortal ever Thought;
That ever chcer the right, or checked The wrong;
warnI the Wild youth, with counsels sweet as
Redrcss'd the injured and reformd the age
To I Gus Gs belong We hold, with namcless grace,
e sa1y GySf nT9r Vr,a up GsSn to G.uTes face
thrice blessed for Truth, when tuillng for her sake
Shoot Folly as II flies; lay naked Vice,
| upon Tie altar, bound for SaCrllcc
ana every matl'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 Macbcths fate
And Malice shrinking III his Shame, deplore
Murder became O Penltent, to see
Richards midnight dream OF agony;
WIN the first lessons which shall Keep from blame
Which Justify Ambition, and inspire
"cai to lonu SERVICE, Love 10 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 hcartiest laud
Denonnce the Wrong, and still the Right applaud !;
Touch'd by the Poets truth, embrace the True,
And be yourselves the nobiy great yc view;
spurn shameless Vice; pluck vain presumption
down,
And tear from sly Hypocrisy his gown;
Cheer infant Merit III his tollsomo strife;
And crown Achievement with the palm OF Life:
SO snail the virtues bless your name and nge,
And find their nobcst ally In the Stage.
Alter n brief interval the magnificent drop
rose nosclessy rs before and revealed tile first
| scene OF
THE COMEDY.
And here we may remark. rs highly creditablc to
The management, that the various scenes last
night were not only admirably put upon the