New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-15

nature or her art In new aspect and everything
does been many times canvassed and described
Her presence nevertheless Ia fact to be noted with
pleasure; and critical journalism would be remiss In Its
duty il u did not urge upon playgoers the Importance
of improving these last and passing opportunities of
profng by the power and OF this famous and bril-
liant person Readers of THE TRIBUNE have already
enjoyed descriptions OF each successive Characterization
from the Of svorte correspondent. But 1t seems
desirable, before her engagement draws TO Close to
present somewhat fully own view OF the dramatic
position and worth Of the great who is Bidding
farewell.
Riston made her first appearance in America at the
theater which is called tho Lyceumwhere she is
actlngin this city, the 10Th of September 1865
Her first engagement, including her provincial tour
lasted eight months, and ended May II, 1887 She
gave, in that time one hundred and sixtyeight per
formances The parts that she acted Medea Harry
Stuart, Queen Elisabeth, PhGedrd. judith, Pia dc
Toomei Francesca da Rimni Adrienne Lecourrem,
TAisbe, Gamma, Myrha. Deborah, Norma, and Lady
Macbeth. Her second engagement IN America began on
the 18th Of September. 1861 and lasted nine months
ending the Goth OF June 1863 She gave, in this time
hundred and eghty-one performances-hfty-si OF
them being given in the island Of Cuba The chief new
parts that she then played were Marie AntoneHe and
Isabella Suares. The drama of "Marie Antoinette
was acted for the first time Oct T. 1861 Both OF Bis
tOri's former engagements directed by Mr.. j.
Grail the uncle Of Mr. Maurice Grau, her present man
ager In NewYork she has always played-save for an
odd OCCASION and tben-at the theater where she
plays now and the most important and brilliant Pc
RODS in the history OF this muchchangug house arc
those which are associated with her name. Ristoris
present engagement understood TO be her farewell
1t mas been In progress since March and the great
has been Quee" Elizabeth. Mary Stuart
Medea and Lucresla Borgia She will shortly appear
Marie AntOinette and as Myrrhd, and we are told
that before her engagement ends she will act the nero
Inc OF The Huguenos" and tle sleep walking scene
In English-from Macbeth"
TIE conquerng characteristic Of Ristors acting Is its
humanity She is faithful to actual lfe and this fdel-
ty appears her of classic ideals as well
pOrtrature OF the heroines OF history She is
not spiritual actress her art methods are dlsnctvely
rugged rather than delicate; and her mind seems do
cient attribute OF poetry But all OF her dramatic
persons of flesh and blood, and she Is always
stalwart and definite In depicting them. She ranks In
the school of natural conrasted with the school OF
IDEAL ragedlans. Those thinkers upon acting who at
tach value 70 imagination, in concelvng OF Ideals
intellectual character expressing them than to
frenzes of the heart and person ana the generality OF
ebullent emotions able, while rejoicing in her mag
netism, enjoy with something Of the cooness OF
patience She is, GuestOnably, great actress; she
possesses many attributes physical and mental which
make her one of the foremost women OF her time but
she is not an of the greatest type she lacks the
inefabIe quality which has always been found to en-
wrap animate aud hallOw the highest forms OF human
genius.
Toe moods and conditions OF human nature and expo
rience that Risor best pOrtrays are-with little
eXceptioD-thOss which result from CONNECTS III
the imprisoned heart and amidst the amor
ous physical passions. She can express. in absolute per
fectiou the fury of a woman scorned Her manifesto
lions of hearts ferocty, the wild anguish of re
morse and the delirium of desoation are tremendous
alike in their effect and their depth TIE roots of this
work. no weyer do strike into the ideal The springs
of IL arise in common soil We do not say this in dspar
agement but In definition. Aside from all critical dis
nctions though 1t certainly be added-and in the
most whole hearted manner-that RistOr's influence
upon the stage has been steadily ennObnng ana that
she has stored remembrance with many splendid
images In her Mary Stuart the spectator recalls re-
igious exaltaon and tender pathos and this perform
ance gives o distinct and abiding idea OF
her extraordinary power. In Elisabeth
her utmost of achievement is conflict betwlxt love
and pride closely succeeded by derum Of fury and an
awful collapse remOrse-showng the desolaGion OF
broken hearted woman and a sehcondennng queen
conscious innocence and of fearful burden OF
SID upon her soul In CGmnd-though the play Is mass
OF high-stepping fudgeshe exhibits terrible conflict
OF passions in nature that is saturated with misery
hatred and the furious purpose Of vengeance. Her
rrha is extraordinary 100. portrayal OF the CON
dtion OF insanity consequent upon noestuous passion
Her wOmaDhoOd is beautiful, her passion hoTce' her
death ecstaic ana very solemn These 30 not redeem
the play however, and we think 1t should never be
acted Her Norma like her Aedea, Is chiefly beautiful
as type OF uxuiiant animal vitality, exhibtinG-under
the shaping pressure xperiencerage scOrn the ten
derpess of the female leopard, the delrium
OF outraged love and wounded pride, and the
pathos OF abect misery. Her lovelest per
sonatons as we remember them, are Marie An!oinetk
Isabea Suarez and Pia dc IOtOmei. Those who recall
her yorna in the little play OF al Pazzl per Progcto
INN ~ he lry
side of her artistic nature Comparing Rstor with her
self we think upon LGdV Idcbch AdrienHe LecouU
reur Deborah and ThSbe representative ana explain
atory failures Her LGdg Macbch Is little better than
murderous Italian virao, and not for one moment TO De
named with that OF Charlotte Cusllman Her Deooraa
is ma wsh and absurd Her TltSbe IS oyermature and
Her Adrienne is exceedingly artificial, and
II lacks both tenderness ana the essential element Of ill.,
herent sadness but it is powerulas all her works are
at certain ponts-and the comedy OF 1t Is well com
Dounded OF archness aud fire. III short the spell OF her
individuality generally ceases to command as
soon as she leaves the sphere OF melo-
dramatic tragedy: but within that sphere she
ia peerless If we asked TO name
greater Photographic artist the could not
% t-uness that artist salvin II we asked TO
name dramatic artist who represents higher life
becuse the imaginative the IDEAL and the indescriDable
Imam Rsor we should mentionITwO ilusIrious names
Charlotte Cushman and Marie seebdch. The epoch Is
not without for pride andsGfatltude however
that can name all these cOtemporaries and as It's
own Tonight Mciea will be repeated.
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO Mr. NIXON.
Mr.. Barnum has placed the HippOdrOme and
all MS resources in the way of entertainment, at the
command OF Mr.. James NJ. Nixon. his director OF the
arena who Is TO have complimentary benefit next
Monday evening March D. Professional volunteers are
numerous and the amusements TO be offered are likely
To be of an unoommouly interesting kind.
ROSE MICHEL.
The latest Partisan sensation Is the play of
Rose Michel" This is impending over and the fol-
- L. rril cd hp Sniri hinnig IL