National Republican., 1874-05-11
AMUSEMENTS
SALVINI

SALvINI.
Of this vorld-renowned tragedian, who Is to
commence an engagement at the National on
Monday evening next, the Boston Advertiser re-
Gently remarked: -
The character Of the Gladfator is one which de-
force and dignity, with corresponding corr power q
displaying the fercest passions and the tenderest
love working together in noble but undisciplined
nature Signer Salyini 10 more than adequate 20
the assumption OF characters far more involved
and subtitle than this, and Il Is scarcely possible
that the highest pitch his art should be reached
In the depicting OF . soul so simple and transpa-
rent A. the Gladiator's. But where should we
look. where could we look, for the actor capable
showing this Wild strife Of the passions, Of Joining
with them the purest and most unselhsh love- u
submitting this love to the most exquisite tortnrs
and OF uniting all harmonlously and expressing
al with adequate power, and yot without single
distressing or feeble exaggerationf In Salvinis s
performances, aii these conditions are fnlly real
its strong concentration and earnestness; but IN
its moments Of supreme rage and anguish, where
tho terrible depths OF the mans nature are re-
vsaled, It Is literally marvellous to see how the
artist unerrtng instinct going to such unequaled
lengths, yet stops short Of extravaganza, and
stay the listeners mind. In Its essential quail.
ties the character is most like that Of the poor
outcast who is the hero Of "Ia Morte CiviI!e''-
one Its trial is by the agony Of selfrepressIon
the other tho moment of fun and free utteranee Is
In both Of these parts there would be an 1ntolera
BILE monotony Of effect, II It were not for SIgnor
Salvini's infinite variety Of expression and mex
never repeated himself, no matter how often or
how long the same thought or passion required
delineation. Our readers VIII recall surpassing
in "Samson,n Of his contest with alIon; and in
"The Gladiator - his different forms OF entreaty
and defiance to the spectators at the amphithe-
We have left ourselves no room for comments
upon separate portions Of Salyini's performance.
We hope that none are really needed. But We
cannot refrain from speaking particularly Of the
flashes Of seorn and contempt which play like
lightning over his speech with Faustiha, and Of
the strange, haltprophetic expression, mixed Of
tens to the doctrines Of Christianity uttered by
Origen. The scene in the arena in the fourth act
is every way the most remarkable Of the play; the
touches Of manly tenderness with which at first
he strives to make death easy to his willing vic
tim are most expressive and touching, but the
pathos Of his recognition OF his daughter s 80
ribly natural and heart-stirrng that his frenZied
eloquence In addressing, and rage in defying the
mob, came almost as q relief
THE NATIONAL
Mr.. Augustin Daly's renowne d Fifth-ayenue
theatre company commence o weeks engagement
at the National this evening in the latest New
York and Paris success, entitled "Mons Al
phonse." The story Is thoroughly French, and
based upon Illicit relations Of the sex es-that in
eVitable element in the French drama; but Mr.
Daily has toned 1t down very considerably, SO as
to make IT refined and proper enough for the most
fastidious audience. Raymonde has married
earlier connection with Monsieur Octave; the
connection in the originals in Dalys version It is
what we call In this country irregular, In not
having been perfect legal marriage. The fruit
Of the connection is child, the existence Of
which had been kept secret. The story turns
upon the efforts of Raymonde to keep the secret
from her husband and the manRuvres Of Monsieur
Octave to accomplish his marriage with O rich
widow, which Is threatened by revelation of
his former lidison with RaymOnde. There are
several effective situations created by the drama
fists, in which have the contrte wife revealing
her guilt and deception to her husband, who, OF
course. magnanLmously pardons her and adopts
the daughter There are also the Vaccinations
Of Monsieur Octave alias Alphonse, thwarted by
the quick-witted widow upon whom he had de-
signs.
There is only one scene used in "Alphonse, but
Il the ope TO be presented at the National ap-
proaches In elegance that used at the Fifth
avenue sin IN theStre AZ IN New fSrs, the washington
the frst order. The scene represents an ex-
quisitely-appointed drawing-room on the second
background is a representation Of the sea, with
ships sailing leisurely along upon its bosom. At
the rear Of the stage is also broad entrance.
glimpse Of 3 conservatory filled with beautiful
flowers and plants. At the right Is also an en-
trance to garden, and ut the LEFT another to the
private apartments of the household.
There are abundant opportunities in the play
for fne acting, and many OF the scenes possess
remarkable strength. Tho reputation enjoyed by
Monsieur Alphonse'' will be played in q thor
oughly enjoyable and artistic manner.
FORD'S oPERA-HoUSE.
Schuman's Transatlantic Novelty Combination
make their first appearance in Washington this
evening. The company is wholly composed of
European artists, who are noted abroad for excel
lence in their respective lines of business, and
were carefully selected in consequence of their
talent for exhibition in this country. The enter
tainment provided by the troupe is of On inde-
scribable order. 1t comprises pantomIme skat-
ing, lugglery, and other attractions Of the most
absorbing description. Incidental to the perform
ance Of the "Parisian Folly" as the entertain
skating ballet, and daring trapeze acts. Attached
10 the troupe is what the advertisements term
"the phenomenon Of 1874" in the person Of Signor
Sstonishns U feat. Mr. a0eS nu9Os 9Osn.OO O
the champion swimmer Of the world, is,
also attached to the troupe. This gentleman de-
hes the ordinary laws Of nature, by living under
the water several minutes. during which he eats,
drinks smokes, and writes with the ease Of o land
lubber who never indqlged in q swim. Don Fer
reyra, however, is held up as the champion au-
dience astonisher. He makes q wind instrument
by some arrangement OF his fingers, and plays
with Q tone very like q flute or iageolet, lthas
note to another. He executes with great facility
running arpeggios, chromatic scales, and making
trlllS, &c. BeSl0es the ABOVE the Brown Vel0ct-
pede combination add to the attractiveness Of the
entertainment, by the marvellous ease and grace
with which they manGuvre upon their bycieles.
Among these are number Of very beautiful Eng
lish young ladies, who are said 10 promise more
attractiyeness than the Lydia Thompson blondes.
Words are quite inadequate to convey to the
reader correct idea Of the attractions offered by
the Transatlantic troupe. but there is no doubt
that those who 20 to witness their performance
will depart more than pleased with the evenings
amusement.
LITTLE NELL"
This beautiful and bewltching little lady has
met with the most hattering success during her
tour In the West. At every place she visited the
local critics recorded her unstnted praise and If
the dattery has not quite turned her head then
her good sense must be quite in keeping with her
besuty and genus. Nell recently played bril-
liant engagement in Wheeling, and q local paper
remarked concerning her: "Llttle Neil, the Cali
forpia diamond, appeared last night at Hamil-
tons opera house before the largest and most ap-
preciatiye audience Of the season, In her great
sensational protean drama OF 'Fidelia, the Fire
Wait The drama Is full Of startling situations
and splendid tableanx. and taken all In all is
Of tho most successful dramas Of the present
day. Public expectancy has been much excited
to see the little lady in her famous piece, bring
ing with her, as she did, the prestige Of Eastern
try. Public expectancy was not disappointed in
the least, as she fully sustained the high reputa-
tion which preceded her. Little Nell Is pretty,
vivaeIous 1ttle lady, full or life and vim, pos
sessed Of unusual dramatic talent and many &C
eomplishments, all Of which have full scope In her
protean plays. She has reason to be feel proud
Of her reception in Wheeling last night, as per
- II