Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-30
stage and studio


Long Island, on Thursday last. The loss thus
sustained by the dramatic profession is one that
it viii be very hard, if it, indeed, be possible, to
repair for some time to come. FalstaF was I'M
doubtedly Mr.. Hackett's favorite and greatest
character, and it may well be doubted whether
his personation of IL did not show As foe acting
in its way as this or any other age has produced
but at the same time he was an artist of wide
range and great versatility, and those who have
enjoyed his representations of Wadfre, Hdure
sac, and lKonsieEr Kdiet, have the recolec ton
little tt-bits of character painting that must be
a pleasure for life. Alas, that those who in
times past have had tears forced from their eve
by laughter at the actors drolleries, can now
shed only drops Of sorrow that he is no more
We may add that, though generally supposed to
be an Englishman by birth, Mr.. Hackett was
born in William street, New York-the date OF
his birth being March Is, 1900.
The current week at the National here has
been fair one, both in respect to quality of
performance and numbers in attendance, des-
pite the very bad weather. which kept many
patrons Of the drama indoors for several nights.
Next week we are to reyel in the spectacular
with the peerless BOnfant in attractive parts.
That this will be a most taking bill hardly any
one can doubt The beautiful and striking in
both art and nature always draw, particularly
spooney youths and old red-faced bald-headed
chaps.
- The week following, commencing January
Sth, we are to have a real treat in the way of
music. The great Wachtel, suitably supported,
will hold the boards at the National in German
opera during the week, and on Monday and
Tuesday evenings, Mrs. Moulton, the popular
new prima donna, will give grand concerts I'm
Lincoln Hall, aided by strong company, which
inc oh II
Sig. Ferranti, and wehli, the great pianist. AL
ready there lie a rustling of silks and an odor of
boquets in the air in anticipation of these at
tractive events.
The western tour OF the Parepa- Rosa English
opera troupe has been a regular triumphal
march, as, indeed, il deserves to have been. The
combination is one of the best we have ever
had, and the faithfulness and completeness with
which its performances are given make it popu-
lar every where.
The success of tbs Parepa tour in the west
has had the effect to turn the steps of the Nilsson
italian company in the same direction. They
accordingly open at Pittsburg on the 5th, and
from there will 60 to all the principal cities in
the west. Singularly enough, Peoria, where
the sweet-toned and sour-tempered cantatrice
was reported TO have invested about four million
dollars in real estate, is not in the list.
York has been the revival at Booths theater of
the majestic play of Julius Caesar, brought out
with all the splendor and particularly Of his
toric detail which characterize the dramatic
representations of that fine establishment
The grand Senate scene Is something of repro
ductiOn, on large scale, of Gerome's famous
painting of the death of Caesar, the photographs
Of which must be familiar to these of our readers
who have not enjoyed view Of the original
picture, audit is pronounced the most impressive
stage portrait ever seen in this country, if, in
deed, it has ever been equaled anywhere. But
aside from the scenic effects, the revival is a
complete success,
And now comes a well-authenticated
statement that the enormous sum of 81 100
night paid to Nilsson for a season of twenty
nights in New York has been exceeded by waeh-
tel, the German tenor, who has received 81 800
per night for a season of the same length there
This fact, together with the other disagreeable
fact that Parepa was the recipient of a bracelet
from the hands of Prince Alexis, must make
the exacting little Swede nearly beside hersel
with rage and envy.
= Boston has named one of her school-houses
recently built the Cushman school. in honor OF
Charlotte Cushman, the eminent actress. That
the old abode OF puritanism should thus recog-
able to both.
A person named Robert W. Hatfield, who
through an inserutable dispensation Of Provi-
dence and the laches of some fresh-water the
illogical institution, has the right to put Grew
erend" before his name, called Parepa- Rosa
Charlotte Cushman, Patti, and others Of the
dramatic profession, nest of unclean birds
in a sermon which he delivered against the
tbeater and opera a few evenings ago. How
sweet thing is christian charity!
- The success of " The Palette, ;" the new art
association organized in New York some time
since, not exactly in opposition to the Academy
of Design, but by artists who were dissatisfied
with the management of that institution, is re-
garded as well assured. Its first exhibition now
open at the Leavitt gallery. seems to have i'm.
pressed both the public and the critics favora-
bly,-a thing which does not often happen. 1t
il said for the pictures view that If there are
no absolutely great ones among them, there are
no positively poor ones. Which is a good deal to
be able to say, and more than can generally be
said OF exhibitions in New York.
McEntee, who ranks with our very best
landscape painters, has just completed a picture
for the spring exhibition of the British ROYAL
Academy. 1t represents a scene near Rondout
on the Hudson, the early home of the artist
early winter aspects and atmosphere are rem
dered with his usual power and fidelity, and we
feel sure from the promise given before the last
touches were put upon il that il will be favora-
bly, received by the critics on the other side. 1t
will be remembered that one of Mr.. McEntee's
autumnal pictures attracted much and very IA
vorable notice in the French Exposition of 1856, ,
and il is generally conceded that in this partlc-
ular field of art he has ne superior.
-Gerome's great picture Of the Crucifxion
was not placed on exhibition in New York As
lovers of art hoped il would be. II was bought
from the importer by wealthy New Yorker, to
whose house it was taken almost Immediately
after arrival, but both the name OF the purchaser
and the price paid are held profound secret by
the dealer. Still thefe is ground for hope that
the public may have a chance to see it by and
by. Judging by an engraving from II which
came over at the same time, the picture must be
one Of great genius and impressiveness.
Mr.. L. NJ. wiles, q New York artist, who
fast growing into notice as q conscientious and
capable landscape painter, has just LAID In the
beginnings Of q large picture OF Washington, as
49, n