The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-20
ANU s E M EN- rs.


terpreting the n0blest works ever written for the
noblest OF instruments Such was the attraction
ct Steinway Hall yesterday Forty works Of Chopin,
comprising the minor fantasia, i've preludes. two
mazurkas, nve waltzes, three polonaises. eight
nocturnes, the nat major impromptu, berceuse.
tarantella, scherxo three ballads nine etudes ana
the ever welcome ns0rchs nsssore. from the minor
sonata, formed the bill OF fare. 1t was indeed
q royal FEAST OF which the most accomplished
musical cutsisafer might well feel proud. Az
with Schumann, the imaginative mind o.
Rubinsten IL In full accord with the poet
OF the piano. Il may appear a strange
comment on history that y Russian pianist should
be such faithful interrreter OF the sublime yearn
ings OF q Polish composer, but time-serving
Moore has been the most eloquent exponent oil the
wrongs OF Ireland. Chopin did not aim at the
grandiose spirit OF the epic poet; he portrayed his
country In familiar coors. Upon each melodic
figure, Niobe-like in melancholy beauty. are show.
cred adornments like light drops OF peariy dow,
and without suspecting 1t he formed new school
OF piano music. to which the exquisite poesy
imperisIabIe. fhe names are but poor ex.
ponents of even one idea In his works Be-
promptu, prelude or caprice, lie treasures
OF rich thoughts, which too often prove dr0ss In
70 use the words Of List y upoS
the ear like the rhythmed signs OF angels, the CRY
Of nations anguish mounting n to the very throne
importance Of the poonaise. in the illustration q
which ths bright examples Of Weber were over.
VINO can listen unmoved to the martial spirit and
Passion coaastry, anxiety vanity inclin ns
are portrayed In the mazurka in deli.
cate, tender, eyanescent shades. The belle
OF the Polish ballroom in this dance appears, half
Odalisqus, hall Walkure aud the sensrous beauty
Of the "Arabian Nights Is welded to the inspired
recall the Of Bou sooa
measures; again the young Nourmahal Of the Vale
OF Cashmere.
cribably beautiful. The slightly veiIedYyet svery
s0norousness and obedient action OF the grand
scope for his reveings In the demesne OF Polish
poesy Beneath his fingers trcKled the melodc tears
tine ore NIKE
the minor etude, whispered the angelic thoughts
OF the berceuse, danced the sparkling tarantella
and wept the mourniu theme from the first sonata
He carcssed the beautiful and tender idea as he
grasped the bold and inspiring thought and the
the audience. No such Illustration of Chopin has
been vouchsafed to New York audience before
The programme for the recital oday is in
Heusell, Thalberg and List. Two fantasas
o6 'Dof ciovakn," by the two last mentioned
composers, and arrangements OF well known
themes by Ilszt form Interesting features
on the bill On Thursday RdSiisten viii vii, close MS
on SATURDAY he leaves for Europe on the steam.
ship Donau. Thus before his departure from
country which has extended to his genius un.
stinted admiration, he has given lis panorama Of
music from the days Of the "weltempered claw
chord" down to the reign Of that ultima thule q
knoWledge, an inspired mind, Titanic power and
an hncolquerable will could alone succeed In ac-
complisfipg such o task.
Bovvery Theatre-O'EeIiy's Mission.
The Summer season was inaugurated at this
theatre last night with the production Of
drama, founded upon events lately oc.
curing in the Island OF Cuba, en-
titled "Cuba Libre, or OKely's Misslen.n The
story OF the play is divided into prologue and
three acts and is from the prolific pen of Mr..
Harry J. Seymour. Like most Introductory
episodes the action Of the prologue
takes place some years before the incidents
given in the body Of the play. In that
part the scene is laid at Bayamo, and the time II
1868. The curtain rose to the strains OF lively
music and discovered Donna Leonora Olivera
(Mrs. W. G. jones', her attendant Maria Carera
Miss Polly BOOTH, and number OF Cuban
patriots celebrating the birthday of the heroine
In the midst OF the revelry the Spanish troops ap
peared, after warning voley OF firearms In the
WINGS and fierce encounter takes place between
the patriots and the regular soldiery. Sew
eral Spaniards were. laid hors de combat
and single Cuban sacrificed his life on the altar
Of his country. Over the dead body Of their com
rade the Cubans swore eternal vengeance against
Spanish authority In the island. and they carried IL
out In most praiseworthy manner to the end Of
the piece The first scene Of the nrst act
showed the landing Of the ship Edgar Stuart ct the
Island of Cuba with stores and implements OF war
for the patriots. Through the medium Of Jose
learned Of the arrival Of the Vessel Thes
crowded to the shore where the mef
such empowering and determined band OF
Cubans that their errand was frutless and the
result OF the meeting was magnificent tableau IN
During the second scene MIR. James J. O'Kelly
(Nr. w. Mardenl was introduced. The announce
era Morales Created tie first burst Of ap
plause OF the evening. Amid the heavy cobwebs Of
the lofty dome Of the old Drury the echos OF the
utes before the actor personatng the famous Com.
missioner could proceed with the business OF the
no better estimate Of the value ana Importance
OF Mr.. O'Kelly's mission could be found than this
view with Morales that occurred in this scene the
quietly impressive and forclbe manner Of Mr..
audience, and at each mention Of the Journal he
represented the people broke out anew. Finding
Ms TO Se ne ml IN
next scene arrived at the headquarters OF Ces-
pedes. There, among the rocks and trees
Republic the spaniards make another de-
scent. and attempt to carry on the beau.
boiled over at the intended outrage and
the representative OF the race hurled Spanish
! onlcers to the ground to bite the dust ignomnt
Dusty While the bully is at his feet he takes occa
sion to impress upon his memory that he is q man
OF very peaceful nature and is only given tho res
cuing Of innocent and helpless beauty in moments
| of great danger. These sentiments brought the
house down again and again, and O'Kelly's march
through the remainder OF the play was timed by q
| symphony from thousands OF hands. As soon
as Mr.. O'Kelly turned his back the spy
was again at work, and during the greater part Of
an act was successful in his efforts to get possess
sion OF the lady. Afriendly python however, went
to the at the critical moment and settled MIR.
Ribas' business by enfolding him In its
coils and lifting him from terra ny7na into
mid air. This was startling and highly
sensational Scene. supplemented as II was.
booming Of great guns and the Mortified screams
OF the heroine. The third act represented MIR.