The New York herald., 1873-12-20
, A III o s z M e n T s .
PiamOnti as Elisabetta Last Night al
the Acndcmy-Close of tho Saivfni
Season in New York.

ScnsOn IN New n ork.
| At the Academy OF Music last evening Signora
Iseina Plamont the leading actress OF the italian
| dramatic troupe, received a benefit. and acted
| Elisabetta, in Giacomettis drama OF that name
| The impersonation was powerful and original. and
| therefore highly successful SO was the Essex OF
Sgnor Salvini. The play Is the same in which
Ristori made so profound a sensation here five or
six years ago IL will be repeated this afternoon
upon which occasion Signor Salvni Signora Pia-
monti and the italian company will make their
/ hnal appearance in New York.
We have said that Pamonti's Elisabetta was
powerful and original In the few weeks during
which this actress has performed in this c0un-
try she has won the respect and admiration OF
everyone who appreciates the difficulties. the
subtleties and the rrumphs Of her art IT would be
difficult to imagine that she would voluntarily as
sumo role for which she was wholly untitled.
She has shown so much conscience, so much in
teliigence, so much TASTE so much force, so much
versatility and so supreme subsection OF herself
TO her profession, that we have hesitation
about according her here in full the tribute
which has been gradually but constantly
accumulatlng But, full OF strength as
her Elisabetta is. and bearing as it does. the i'm
press of handiwork that is her own, we do not
think 1t will be remembered here as her most tri-
umphant impersonation. Her genius sympathzes
more with what is tender and sweet than with the
self assertive and harsh. The strongest and most
beautiful affiliations OF her temperament are with
q pure and passionate love expressing itself in
tensely ana informed with an intelligence thor
oughy feminine. 1t was these qualities which rem
dered her Francesca and Parthenia wo rthy to be
placed among the most perfect representation OF
that order OF character ever seen on the Amer
lean stage. Her grandeur, as an actress, consists
in depicting the moral greatness of a beautiful and
lofty nature, profoundly courageous but OF
KIND OF courage with which gentleness is insspa-
arda would be even stronger and more harmo-
NOUS piece OF acting than her Elsabetta, because
the accidents OF Signora Plamontis organization
and temperament would enable her more COM
pletely to sympathize with the scottish queen. We
believe that this general statement will adequately
cover all tnat is necessary say with respect to
the genius OF Piamonti, OF whom, in parting per-
manently rom her, we beg leave to record an ad-
that we own Tor Seebacn and Ristori.
The comparatively small part of Essex was as
sumed by Salvinl last evening out of compliment
to this vigorous and graceful actress. In the third
act, especially he betrayed the creative energy OF
have been accustomed to see only an actor and
raised the r0te TO an eminence where, lor the mo-
ment, 1t outshone all else upon the stage.
In this connection IL viii not be undressing
to review briefly the season. Signor Savini made
his first appearance in the United States on the
evening OF September 16. 1s73 at the Academy OF
Music IN this city. Mr. Maurice Grau had in vain
endeayored to procure the New Lyceum, thinking,
not without some business, that the traditions or
Rstori which hung around that theatre. would be
particularly in favor OF Saivini's debut there Mr.
Duncan the proprietor, however, had no fath IN
was therefore compelled to come before an Ameri-
can audience In building which is universally
admitted to be unsuired to theatrical representa-
ton. HIS first character was Otheo, with what
general success and with what peculiar force, vvac
matter OF local hisronic record. To this succeeded
.ngomar,n, "Corrado," "Amleto." ''Pauio." III
ond aass eveng III conte
Upon concluding his first New York engagement
Salvn proceeded to Philadelphia where he re-
mained for two weeks, and TO which ne presently
returned after visiting Baltimore, Pittsburg and
Washington. At the conclusion of this trip the
Boston Theatre for one week and transacting an
engagement which was at once great pecuniary
Hartford were likewise visited. Financially speak
ing the company was most successful 10 Boston,
and has been least successful IN New York, possl-
opera, though that reason does not apply
to the last fortnight. During the United
acted is times; sullivan 10: "sansoneo s; .Il
Gladiatore,r s; ;'Amleto a; 'Ingomar y .; 'Paulo''
once. The troupe numbers s5 persons. Il leaves
here for Albany tomorrow evening, and Will pro-
take it t as FAR as Havana and MEXICO and proiong its
engagements up to the middle OF June. subse-
quently we believe, Signor Salvini intends revisit
Ing South America upon his own responsibility
In bidding farewell to a series OF representations
which, in spite OF the poverty OF the patronage be-
slowed, Will always be remembered with delight
by every deep lover OF the powerful and the beau
tfu in acting, 1t is no more than just TO
utter q word of praise for Mr.. Maurice
Grau. He is the Youngest OF our managers. He is
or the most energetic. sagaclous and enter
prising II would be paying poor compliment 10
his business qualities TO deny that he had hoped to
make his Italian season more profitable than 1t
has proved. But 1t would also be equally wide OF
the marx TO fail to recognize his appreciation for
what Is sterling in art as opposed to the me etri-
cious and the base. 1t required no lnconsiderable
courage to bring TO this country band OF foreign
actors whose performances were In an unknown
tongue, and whose eminent leader, even was un-
known to Americans, save the few who had seen
and 1t has given to dramatic art in America
healthy impulse, furnishing standard by which
every other dramatic artist coming hther from
the Old World and claiming greatness will have to
be judged.
Stadt Thentre-"Dfe Huguenottcn.,
The performance Of Meyerbeer's greatest work
at the German opera house last night, although
haoitue Of The Academy might smile at 1t, gave
abundant pleasure to the children OF Fatherland
present. The orchestra was very small in number,
but the leader occasionally reinforced them with
piano, and the chorus displayed the requisite lung
power and demonstratlve style OF singing so char
acteristic of German opera. Madame Lichtmay
sung the music OF Valentine well, albeit her voice
showed at times the wear and tear OF long operate
labor, and in the grand duo OF the fourth act all
the honors fell to her. Mile. Canissa was quite at
home in the florid music OF Queen Margaret. and
was the chief feature OF the second act. The page
had an excellent representative in Mile. Hes, who
sSas snas It tno Mas i'a matter s Of regret that that
the fine aria in the second act, written
expressly for Nine. Alboni, was omitted on this
occasion. Raoul had very inefficient interpreter
in Herr Pluger, whose disagrecable voice can
never compensate for the mechanical correctness
OF his singing. Wench's St. Bris was passable
and Verings Nevers was rendered nullity by
hoarseness. Herrmanns gave the lower notes OF
the music OF Marcel with considerable effect, but
the upper notes Of his voice are OF such an uncer-
tain character that he can seldom keep within
tone or the orchestra. In regard to the general
on ep1llb n
there we're no positive mistakes made and that the
performance was smooth and pleasing to the audi
ence. 10 Judge OF 1t rom an Academy point OF
to the theatre and the patrons OF German opera.
Musical and Drn matte Notes.
There will be no matinee at Walack's to-day be-
cause OF the preparations necessary to the initial
performance of Mr.. Boucicault's new comedy this
evening