The New York herald., 1870-02-01
A Phila nthrOpic Amateur Enterta INN enf.


An entertainment which promises to bring out
several new and interesting features In the drama.
tic line Will be given on the evening Of the sth OF
February at tie theatre OF the Union League Cup,
beginning at baffpast eight O'Clock. There are two
reasons why 1t Will be one OF the most attractive
y5tes OF the seasonbecause 1t Is for the benefit OF
the samaritan Home lor the Aged,n ana because
the dranoatfs persona VIII comprise amateur per-
formers OF culture and distinction. The play OF the
evening will be Donizettrs maria de Rohann the
principal characters being personated by G.
R0ncont and Mrs. L. Guager ana other
! ladies and gentlemen. Signor Ronconi, one OF the
brightest stars Of the operate stage has taken the
direction OF the entire affair IN his hands, ana will
bring to 1t all his well known talents, spirit expert
ence and energy. In order to devote the benevo.
lent object in view the entire proceeds Of the sale OF
the tickets he will himself meet all the expenses in
Cured by the performance.
The names Of the members OF the different COM
nlttees include those OF Mrs. Henry A. Smythc Mrs.
n. o. Dorcmus Lady Ousey, Mrs. J. ]. Roosevelt,
Mrs. ]. Mcvicker Mrs. Judge Beverly Robinson. and
nifty others.
s'Maria de Rohann il written In Donizettl,s
happest vein. and Is comparatively unknown here.
The melodies delicious and the treatment OF tho
subject is Of that high dramatic order which char
acterizes the well known .Poiinto.n In it Ronconl
has r6le admirably suited his well trained voice
and rare dramatic talent. No lover OF music should
miss witnessing this chez d'Buure OF one OF the
sweetest melodsts OF the Italian school.
As this opera Is not familiar to many opera-goers
We give synopsis OF the plot -
the drama, known on the French stage as 'Le
tory OF France, when the great Rchelieu was for
brief period superseded by Count de Chalais, far
vorite Of Louis Kill Richard. Count de Chaiais.
had long loved Maria de Rohan, a lady OF the Court
and layorite OF tne Queen. Anne OF Austria, and
hts passion was returned by her. But In obedience
20 the injuncsioIs OF her dying mother she had
married her own cousin, the Duke de Chevreuse,
an intimate friend OF the Count de Chaials.
Richeeu, VINO wished to oestow W the se hand ID
OF Maria on his own nephew, this marriage had been
Kept secret. Rcheeu had enacted a law prohibit
ing, under penalty Of death, the custom of dueling
which then prevailed, and the 1rst to violate that
sdict was the Duke de Cnevreuse, who had slain in
troth to Maria de Rohan. Maria, now Duchess de
Chevreuse, having in vain applied to Kcheleu for the
pardon OF her cousin and husband, decided to ap-
King
ACT FIRsr.-The drama opens with that appeal to
Chalaas, from whom, however, Maria conceals her
marriage and urges her request with the plea that
Chevreuse is her own cousin. The Count, the
occasion OF festival at the Court enrreats the par.
don or the King Tor the Duke. His suit Is success
ful, and to the surprise OF all, the Duke himself
val 1t happens that Armando de Gondi and abbe Of
the Court notorious tor the levty OF his character
uses sanderous words concerning Maria dc Rohan,
whom he accuses OF being mistress or RiChelieu
whose palace he had seen her enter. The Count de
ChaIas hearing this, challenges the able, 10 order
Maria de Rohan brings news to the guests OF the
disgrace OF Richeieu and Of the accession power
ceived with Joy by all the nobility, by whom Richie.
lieu 10 detested, and the Duke de Chevreuse, no
longer fearing his anger, now announces his mar.
Tla ana ChalaB ts IN consequence, overwhelmed
with despair
Xor sEooND-At daybreak the following morning
che hostile meeting between Cnalais and Gondl IL TO
take Qace, and Chevreuse ignorant or the cause Of
the du but animated solely by friendship, is to act
on the ground Chaais entrnsts to his contidens
Aubry package containing the portrait and letters
of Maria, with directions TO retnrn them to her In
case he should fall. But during the night kchelieu
II restored to power, and at once proceeds to re-
venge himself on Chaiais. Maria is made aware OF
hastens to tie mousse OF Chalas to urge him to save
himself by fight. While thus engaged she hears the
voice OF her husband who has come tell Ohalais
sat the appointed hour for the meeting is near and
concealed in cabinet, she learns for the first time
Hd aenS e @ an, h
the voice OF her own heart holds Chalas by her fer
vent entreaties III the hour Of the meeting has
she arm.
ACT THIRD.-Chavreuse now, in order to protect
Ghalais from the vengeance OF Ricneeu, conceas
him In his house and provides him with. means Of
escape. Meanwhile Cnaals IS ADVISED by hts friend
Aubry that o band Of Officers, sent by Richelieu,
had invaded his dwelling and taken with them the
letters ana che portrait. me loss Of Maria now
noI fail to communicate his knowledge to
Chevreuse, and thus revenge himself on
all three. He therefore proposes to Maria, that
fefgning to leave the house OF Chevreuse he should
return through q secret door and that they should
make their escape together Richelleu as once sends
TO Chevreuse the fatal package through Fiesque the
captain OF his usners. The revelation Is q fearful
blow to the Duke who has hitherto believed that he
possessed the entire love OF Maria, his ardent friend
ship Is turned to bitter hatred and when Cha'as re-
turns to meet Nara he places himself before him.
and presenting pistol, oblges him 10 hight In tho
same apartment, where he kills him.