New-York tribune., 1870-01-11
THE DIANA.
DIR. rrcmrrn's rrnsr APPEARANCE.
progressive.

Mi. FIGHTERS FIRST APPEhRAECs.
Few incidents in experience arc so delightful
as contact with fresh intellectual forco and perception
OF a new form Of genius. Hence the lively interest
always lnsped IN the public mind by the announce
mcnt that a new artist Is to make assay Especially
70 this interest aroused by the announcements ef new
actor-tor the touches the average mind OF man
more nearly thai any other form OF art In what way
this about would perhaps, be dhcult to state IN
precise terms Possibly it because tho brightness and
action II tue stage furnish relief to the monotOny OF
everyday life. Possibly the lies deeper sl-in
the mourions Of mems aspiration. "Bards, heroes
angels are we, il we WILL" says the poet Matthew Arnold
and lt may be that We love tho stage because IL can
show us ideals and luro us TO aspire. But, from
whatever cause the effect remains; the stage exercises
our cugrossing influence and the announcement OF new
actor awakens The veest feelings For some time past
this community has been agated by curiosity aud an
tclpaton with reference TO the distinguished foreign
actor Mr.. IL enter. That curiosity satisfied, end
that anticipation was in great measure fulfilled, m tho
appearance that 1Ir Fecher made last evening, at Nib
los Garden, {. In the character OF Ray B"s
Tho fame OF tho player had been Thoroughly
truInpeted by praise, aby censWe. by discus
sion, and by various arrs OF advertisements The
first result was crowded house. Mr. Iccbero urst mp
pcarance was Witnessed by multitude Of persons IN
which the dramatic brotherhood, the literary guild, and
the world OF fashion we're copiou.y represented ANA
the new actor was generously and heartily cpplaudcd
-
difficult one either % grasp TO interpret
nan lOwly born, but raised TO fictitious and
temporary greatness loves noble lady. Circumstances.
artfny coatriycd. make him seem 10 have done her
a diruful injury. He turns upon his tormeutor in the
loui 0r grcacs darkness and desperation, slays him
royalty and then sacrifices his own life TO testify 10 the
sincerity Of his love. The actor who would portray this
character must possess tie capacity Of intense passion
and noble dclicacy. Love, in Its highest form.
Is devotional Mr.. Fochier made Eny BIAS manly
and gentle. His acting showed great earnest.
ness. huc intelligence, and mastery Of tho
art OF picturesque gesture. But IL did not show great.
ness Indeed the part offers adequate medium Tor
such revelation Rty Mas has but one really fine drl-
matte oppOltuniywhcn lie turns upon Don s0sSte, ia
tho moment Of the latets goatiug triumph and dnres
him 20 death. Mr Fechter, who had played very quietly
throughout the Est two acts, made burst In CT third
at this point and showed that electrical quality II tenn
perament which commonly charms theatrical audiences
For this. in fact for nearly everything else that
he did, there was abundant applause. When We hayo
said that Mt Fechtor had the somewhat uncommon
merit Of being identified with the part that he played
aud of preserving that identity from first to last
have said enough about his acting OF E'ty BiIs. In
personal appearance Mr. Fechtor dimly rescWbles Mr.
John Jr0ugham aud tnCTe suggestion about hn of
one whom our brothers OF the quin remember
with tcudcy regret The ato Charles seymour.
Tie actors face. without being remarkably
mobile j. strongly expressive Of concentrated
intellect and vigorous emotional power Ills voice Is
delicate H. touo hIs accent medley OF English and
French The whole impression that he makes-lf ono
but watches HIM long enough and does not judge by first
udicaUusl5 very pleasant. 3lr. Fcchter Is heartily
welcome; but unless he docs something much finer than
anything he dI last night n is wholly unlikely that he
will make rs forget that there several actors the
American stage whose talents. culture aud special
trIumphs in acting render them fully his equals
In ability, II Lot in the accident OF fame. or Mss
Icccrcq who appeared as the Princess, H j. only nocos-
,ary TO state that her acting commended 10 apprOba
tou by certain breadth and grace OF gesture and by
much sincerity In appearance the lady resembles Queen
Victoria az that monarch appeared IN earcrd days "Ruy
Bias" neatly put upon tho stage but With no cou.
siderable attempt 90 scenic display. Mr., Shovel was
very sAtifactOry Don SGus' and Mr. Bangs In what
Ntle was allowed 20 DON tGsdr made pleasant mprcs
sion. Mr. Fechtsr and Miss LeClcrcq repeatedly
called before the curtain and the recipients of tho
Is to lppGar Claude hsh,oHs. Legadeis, and rs
BGgfc.
wALLAcK's THEATEG.
Last evening Mr.. Wallack presented, for the
first time since IT'S Introductory triumph Eober.sons
charming play OF ours" The house wss crowded, and
the performance fully maintained the pleasant feeling II
called out It's first presentation. Mr. Waack, Mr..
Gilbert and all tho artists who are identified In public
affection with the leading roles heartily welcomed.
and Mss Moore. who the original representative et
the leading female role In London shared literally ~ tho
general applause The piece VAS presented wlih eyon
Wore care thHn on Its dts pro1Iolsoh