The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-19
A M U S E M E rs.

n III v y u M u ~ b
Concert and Operate Performance for the
Benefit or tho W0mam's Hospital.
One OF the most interesting and artistic entertain
ments OF the kind given In this city during the pres
ent season took place last evening at Robinson's
Hail. In Sixteenth street. being the second and last
under the direction Of Signor Abilities for the above
worthy object. Notwithstanding the inclement
weather the beautiful bU0u theatre was crowded tn
its utmost capacity and full evening dress seemed to
be de rfgteV. The concert came first and introduced
the following artists Madame GazzaniQa Mira
Yznaga, Miss Graziella Ridgway, Mr.. william Doug
las, Mr.. +. Bartlett Mr.. Abilities, Mr.. yilanoya and
the Saturday Night Glee Club; Director, Herr Rel
mold Hermann. Some OF these do not Law claim To
the title, artist" being non-professionals, but.
certainly, as far as ability Is concerned, they deserve
the honor. small, but well selected orchestra
each part of the concert The Saturday Night 1;iee
Club consisting Of about thirty-hve gentlemen,
made their maiden effort IN public in Hatton's
"Good Night" and Mendelssohn's 'Rhne Wine.n
Considering that this club was only organized
in January last and has had but little time
expression which they displayed were very encour.
aging signs Of their ability and earnestness. Two
duets ON tn ey M
Vilanova, of which we have spoken before, and
which was captally rendered by Mrs Yznaga and
Mr.. Douglas The other was the well-knOwn duet
between AZucena and Manrico in the second act OF
al Trovatore,n sung by Nine. Gazzaniga and Mr..
Douglas It has rarely been as wen sung
dramatic style OF singing is well known to
the New York public and Mr. - Douglas has
unusual smoothness and evenness In all its regis
tiers, remarkable hexibilty and high cultivation.
innumerabe, but we doubt very much II any OF
them could have invested the "Ma reggendo" with
such expression and sweetness as did Mr.. Douglas
last evening. The same gentleman sang romance
from "Mignon," the same as he selected on Satur.
day evening at Vilanova's concert. OF Mrs. Yzna-
gas voice we gave impressions on the occasion
referred to. Nature and art have united in making
her an eminently desirable acquisition to the con
cesful of Sgnor Albtes pupils, sang the sparkling
"Ombra leggiera" from 'Dinorah," displaying her
extraordinary facility of vocalization and limpidity
OF tone, extraordinary in one so young. The last
act OF "La Favorta" was rendered by Miss U. Sims,
promising pupil Of Nine Gazzaniga Mr. Leon
OF view, these two entertainments gEen by SignOr
Abltes have been very successful and have rendered
material assistance to the worthy institution for
whose benefit they were designed.
Wallack's Theatre.
The presentation of Dion Boucicaults comedy,
London Assurance" last night was brilliant be-
yond expectation. 1t is not often such treat can
be offered to the public in any city as was fur
nished by the array of talented artists who
assembled on the stage of Waacks The
atre last night. 1t Is difficult to decide which
was the leading character OF the play, each
artist making his own personati0n in turn
the leading feature OF the entertainment. The
play itself is we'll calculated to bring
out the best qualities of the carefully selected
pany which places Wallack's at the head of our
Assurance" purports to be a picture of what Is
called, or calls Itself, "good society," and certainly
the author has limned his characters to life. The
picture Is so true that 1t becomes q satire where
those who run may read. 1t exposes the hollow
ness and corruption that conceal themselves under
gentllity, and let's in Hood of light
cratic upper classes which stepped in vice, look
down with contempt on the tOiling mass of human
ity, by whose labor and sweat these unwholesome
richer day by day. Had the piece no other recon-
mendation than its portraiture of Sir Harcourt
class i would e worthy Of study az and eap
But the other characters that go to make up society
are limned with no less flrmness and clearness OF
them at glance IS familiar acquaintance v from
Whom they has been momentariy separated.
he a be man Who esees honor and virtue mors
than the gorgeous glitter Of vice, even when made
respectable n, by the qsages Of good society" Il
away the lesson 1t suggests strongly-that
honesty and virtue are better things than arsto-
have gained some knowledge worth preserving
from this ''hoding of the mirror up to nature" It
giving better Interpretation of the character Of
the polished old scoundre Sir Harcourt Courtly than
that offered last night by the veteran John Gilbert.
With nice discrimination he displayed the polish,
selfpossession egotism and utter selshness of the
old fOp, balancing his colors nicely not to give
undue prominence to any of the attributes Of the
man of the conventional world. Shallow as heart
less Sir Courty Is still preserved from contempt by
instinct which causes him to hedge Himself round
with an impenetrable barrier OF class conceit. His
hide is as impervious as that of rhinoceros to
him, because from the lofty height of aristocratic
pride, he looks down on the small
the same enss that CULVER s0Rs did T' upon di
iput Even the keen-cutting quips Of the irrepres-
se Dazz Es can sxc on Nv the OF
intelligence of the man he attempts to frown down
by right Of birth. Charles Matthews plays Dazzle
as only he knows how to play the wide-awake man
of the world. Sparkling, light and eminently natu-
rail- he Is so much at ease that he makes the audi
any effort. Lester Wallack has just one
suited to his peculiar genius~dashing, rolcking,
careless young gentleman, with a penchant for
good wine and weakness for pretty, women. We
must compliment him especially on the tipsy scene.
We hope he did not have to rchearse the part too
often to obtain such thorough insight to this
Max Harkaway was a genial Characterization,
redoent OF the hunting neld, but untnged by
he has good, honest heart, all Of which Brougham
conveys in a charming and effective manner.
Stoddart was dro and entertaining as the ofllcOus
lawyer, Mark Medde, and Polk found congenial
role as Mr.. Spanker. Miss Helen Tracy made an in
teresting Grace Harkaway, and Miss Plessy Nor
daunt overlooked with fun as Lady Gay Spankcr.
Mrs John Seton played with spirit the part OF PERT
Mr.. Hollands acting as Cool deserves special men,
tion. 1t was quiet, subdued and well considered.
The hearty reception given by the audience to the
old favorites on their temperance Ill comedy gave
proof of the intense satisfaction which Is felt by the
theatre going public at the restoration Of the tenn
pie Of comedy to its legitimate use. Certainly the
public have right to be grateful for the good
things the management has provided for their
delectation. We would advise those that any
way melancholy. to make their way to Wallack's at
once and laugh their cares away at "London
Assurance
Bowcry Theatre.
The attraction last night at this popular east side
establishment was Fosters local drama entitled