New-York tribune., 1874-04-14
THE DIANA.
THE NEW PARK THEATER-oPENINd NIGur-MR'
s FECHTER.

s FECHTER.
Eight years ago, upon the burning or the
Winter Garden Mr.. Stuart went out OF tpeatrca man
agement. Last night upon the opening OF the ne"
Park Theater he reentercd it-Onoo more assuming
pursuit In which ho had displayed the ripest wisdom
and the most gallant industry, and IN which he has
gained, many Dgillisut successes, -ln the
face OF many serious obstacles. Tho open
inD OF his new thsater, last night, was not
tue least OF his triumphs We speak with reference to
what s accomplished In the house Itself and what was
achieved upon the stage but not with reference 10 ne
popular yerdict-for experience has taught us that
what Curran saii about tho petit jury may DC said win
equal truth about this cspricious play going puoc tha
Heaven itself could not divine how 1t Will Dring
H. The populace delighted TO the very ptoh OF
ecstasy conclusion Of last nights performance
It's joy found vent cheers less than paudits i'
heart had certainly been Touched and its mlhd' ih-
pressed The occasion very brilliant Ana II lhtoi-
ugence and sense OF Justice prevail with the commu
nity the Park Theater will become permanent
institution before t has existed single season. Tor
will fnd that basis which nothing can ever SNAKE
the affection and respect OF popular intelligence aud yr
tue We are eagerly wiling believe In this result ana
to think that popular taste will not again behave IKE
hat cool lover in Miss Brontes Shirley" vino was oil
passion under tho stars and all icy reticence and cacd
laton the next morning
In physical attributes and aspect the New PARK
airy cosy, cheerful. and handsome Its auditorium
comprises n parquete, galleries, twelve procenium
boxes. and a pit in which the band Is engmied ahd
hidden. It's walls painted In French gray ana IN
visible green, aud decorated with traeeries oil
Gold and lines and Grecian frets OF crimson
It's interior is arched with gayy frescoed sounding
board. IL is lighted by chandelier ana walIampS
IL Ia neatly carpeted In brown and black and IL Is sup
ped with the chairs that are now custom
~ ffs sla wi
hundred persons in comfort, and every part OF t Is
most proptious TO the OF hearing Tue occupants
OF the proscenium boxes can see more oi
the audience than Of tho stage; nut theh
tbey can themselves be and admired, and here Is
compensation which makes all things eyen IL Is amply
ventilated by OF its movable ceiling Deneath is
roof Further description might merely tire. Ii Is
place to be happy IN and leave its material charms
with that remark and come the Hecuba OF the Open
ing performance.
Not misnamed Hecuba, neither-for the ploce WAS
very sad Most art-works are, that deal with the
affections controlled and displayed in world thats
poisoned with evil and swings above the ABYSS OF deatn
Men and women who think aud feel cannot De
perpetualy grinning antics and chatterins over
frotb and il ia To auditors or this class that the
drama was addressed. Loves Penance" demands the
recognition OF heart an,. brain, and 1t Is not
the less genuine because 1t touches the spring OF p
and Of tears Il is in four acts and has been adapted
by Mr. Fechter from the French play of lie Medecin
de, Enfants." It's fault is prolixty 1t enumerates
all details pauses upon every step or
the way. 1t leaves nothing TO the imaena-
ton. 1t makes no of that great power
in art-the power OF suggestion. it Is there-
fore too long, and in parts tedious These qualhca-
ton must pause. Stress indeed. not laid upon the
syle-for there is nothing the language. But stua-
ton aud character the things sought to be exhb-
tied, and the choice Of these is-that one shall DC
narrowing aud the other noble There are strong lights
and shadows OF contrast There Is steady atmosphere
OF exalted pathos There is beautiful close and anobe
unoptruded moral-in sympathy with the truth In the
moral government OF the world that both the mistakes
of the and the sins Of the passions are nexoaby
punished. The story is not-as IN too many French
plays-an exposition Of those morbid complications In
human affairs that grow Of the instinct Of desire
but portrayal the tangle that come Of unwise
surrender to the passion OF love- Ihs IL perfecuy
legitimate and perfectly pure Held for dramatic art
and though technical wrong dong may be thought 10
lie at the of the plot the texture Of this work is
entirely clean. A wife, thinking herself widow ae-
cepts the love oone whom she worshps and who's about
10 make her his wife when they discover that her hus
band is not dead. This and woman are blessed
with child The husband, stern and cruel man, re-
turns becomes acquainted with their story, pereeiyes
their good intentions amidst their sinful foIy, Out
claims child for his under the laws OF France
The character and motive here forced
what unnatura-and there is indication Of convenient
fail for the herosm be presently displayed by the
sinner Toe wife dies. The husband takes the child.
The lover wanders For fifteen years be ministers
to chidreu-expating his o1ense by life OF practical
goodness There are some doctors who have the gentle
insight here hnted, ss 10 the little VaIs OF
heaven, and this Is one Oh them. AT last
he finds his own child and hereafter the play contrasts
the two nen-both loving the girl, and prosecuting
the other How strong and fine several OF these scenes
Of contrast are cannot say In the upshot the
father hsIdaughers life, and dies by the hand OF
his adverssry-all wrongs however, being forgv-
en-, and all the expiaton made that great
heart can offer Of sacred love. IL Will be
that this piece strikes the keynote OF the greatest
tragedy and beautiful feeling in human expert
ence 1t Is drama Of paternsl love- and, though one
element n It, at which have imperfecty glanced, is
dssonent and fretng the moral the work 90
white the leaf OF lily.
Mr. Fechter acted the chief part, Dr. Hortetck. In
cooler moments IL might be questioned whether the IN
terror that sho through the beautiful art OF
this actor in consonance with the exalted
mood of paternsl lovei whether 1t was un-
animal aud holy. But we freely testify that
this performance than electrified with is
tempestuous struggles Of passionate tenderness and
grief wop the tribute OF our tears. II s the best
performance that Mr.. Fechter has ever given
In New-York, aud one Of the best that
we have ever seen. It was defective
in the first act from the lack Of YOUTH and 1t was
msrred by mannersms such the wiping Of the eyes
with the and the Of upon their
lips; but 1t was symmetrical, truthful, and noble
throughout In spirit and In finish. 1t was accepted
with delight, and the actor was four or five times
called before the curtain. He was well
supported by Mr.. Lamb, Mr.. Leeson, Mr..
Dalton. and Mr. studey. At the coss Of the piece Mr.
stuart in response to hearty plaudts, forward,
led by Mr.. Fechter, and made the happiest address