The New York herald., 1871-09-14
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

GRAND OPERA HoUsE.-The managers OF this the
atre have withdrawn "Jasper; or, the Mystery OF
Edwin brood" from the stage and replaced 1t by
the less lugubrious drama OF "Narcsse.n The story
of Edwin brood is a strange, wild conception full
OF pictures OF human weakness and depravty, that,
perhaps, had been better left unskeched, but which,
in spite OF their responsiveness, possess for us a
strange attraction. In adapting the story for tine
stage every incident calculated to excite the sent
menr OF terror has been carefully introduced even
to the extent of njurng the unity of the play. AS
might be expected, the Imagination was morbidly
excited by the unnatural strain put upon it. and
though strong interest enchained our attention.
1t was OF terrible and dread Inspiring
kind. From the moment the curtain
went up and revealed Jasper scarcely recovered
from his opium excuses, we were made to feel as
If under the influence Of some oppressive dream.
The mind rlvcted on the chief actor OF the scene,
we felt something of the fascination which impels
men to gaze In the direction where they expect but
fear to behold an appartion. But, in spite of this,
the mind was not carried along by the plot, each
scene had its distinct horror, and would have
affected us strongly without any relation to the
general story. In departing from the original
struction OF the plot the dramatic author made
grave error and deprived the play OF the mystery,
which would have been of Its strongest points OF
interest. The placing of the garden scene before the
disappearance OF Edwin brood had no justification
aud was only another instance OF the desire OF
bunglng authorship to burt out every thing, and to
make the looming event cast Its shadow before"
This, however, we conceive 10 be grave error, and
total misapprehension of the dramatic art.
Nothing could be more unnatural than that man
OF Jasper's cool determined nature should make
the mistake OF burtlng out so damning confession
OF his love and readiness to sweep "even his dear
boy IRON the path," on the very evening when he
had resolved to murder MN. If we understand the
plot Jasper had come deliberately To the resolution
OF removing his nephew. and this IS another reason
w ~ ch hnni1
after The disappearance OF brood. Such Is the ar
Iangement OF Mr. Dickens plot, and we see no reason
cal point OF view was that this scene excited deep
attention at an early period OF the play but 1T inter-
tragic drama or this nature should he carried to the
point where the mystery is solved, when the curtain
WIN Drood'' lost sight or all these considerations.
and saorced the really strong points OF the story to
pearance of brood in doubt, we were given very
poorly conceived scene, In which Jasper attacks
struggle which in stormy night would have left
From ~ the m moment a, that he .s audience
vugarzed and the whole force OF the mysterious
plot was lost. TO omit The scene "BOth at one blown
In the fourth act and place the garden scene alter
the disappearance OF brood would have greatly I'M
proved the logical construction of tne piece but
would have called for different and stronger sou-
tlon. Instead OF brood coming back as DICK Dutch.
cry we would At have him reappear, but should
fifth act by making Jasper confess the murder While
under the influence OF opium ana then expire. THIS
would deepen the horrible interest OF the play, and
remove IL from the domain OF drama TO tragedy;
but that is Just wnelc 1t ought to be- Under
the present management we are made
agony Of mind, owing TO our sympathy
with the tragic scenes passing before us, for which
when the cur,ain drops we almost imagine that
we have been indulging IN the opium pipe and have
deiensible IN an author to lead US through snch
appalling scenes to KIND of panlOmimic transfor-
nation M bN he middle r & 1i scene ne SO terrible as to
scenes the acting OF Mr.. Bandmann was exceedingly
powerful. Wherever there was deep passionate
emotion TO be expressed the rendering was begOnd
all praise. The garden scene was the best dramatic
effort, and truly he has seized upon Dickens lmper
sonatlon with wonderful power and adelty HIS is
1.-THE black, threatening face that set his black mark
on the very lace OF day,' and yet wlthal
lighted with wild, intense, passionate love. The
man seemed changed to devil; but ever the feeling
Of alteration for Rosa Bud broke through the dark
storm clouds OF his passion. 1t would be, perhaps
or more artistic appreciation. But the secret OF Mr.
beyond the line OF drama-it Is lruely tragic IN
Its awful exaggeration OF passion. A mingled feel.
Ing Of pity aud horror comes TO as for the hopeless
ness OF SO much unrequited love; and had the
author not poisoned our minds against Jasper IN
the murder scene we could almost regret that
man who could love SO Intensely should he doomed
to love in vain Again, In the OPIUM hell the
acting was magnificent and calculated 10 make
was In the apparltlon moonlight scene that the
height OF tragic power was displayed. ANYTHING
the influence Of opium he bears witness against
himself 1t would be impossible 10 conceive, and the
closing scene when the light Of life goes out stills
the heart and presents picture so intensely Affect
ing and terrible that feeling OF absolute relief
comes to as the curtain falls. The acting OF Miss
Emma Vi ne In the opium crOne deserves special
mention, and we confess TO feeling Of disgust, SO
vvdly 1s the picture OF wretched squal
idness ana depravity presented TO u.s.
Mr.. Mark Smith'S Dardle realized well
Dickens conception, and Mr.. Thorne's Edwin
brood was very lalr. A good many OF the other
characters could be struck out with advantage, as
they only tend to cucumber the piece without add
ing any interest TO it, "Jasper' has laed, in spite
Of our natural sympathy, with intense human pas
sion. 1t was not that the piece was wanting in In
terest but the finer susceptbilltles OF the human
heart revoted at the dark panorama or human
wrctchedncss and passion presented too vividly TO
our minds
Musical and Theatrical Notes.
Madame Anna Bishop-Schultz arrived yesterday
per steamship France.
Madame A. Mimic Cell has returned from the
country and resumed the management Of her sing
ing classes.
All the best seats at the Stadt Theatre are already
sold for the first night OF wachte Monday, Septem-
ber Is.
Mr.. Bandmann's benefit comes of aJ the Grand
Opera House tonight. lie plays Shylock for the
first time this season.