The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-28
r l S T O R +.
Return OF the Great Tragedienne 10 the
American Stage.
Driven from Havana by the Vol
unteerS.
HER BROTHERS DEATH,


of some seven years the distinguished lady has
returned TO renew her former triumphs. Time
has dealt lightly with Mme Ristori, anu though
she announces her present tour as farewell to
the stage her retirement can In no sense be
attributed to any decadence OF physical or mental
power. Shortly alter her arrival at the CLARENDON
Hotel. o HERALD reporter called TO pay his
respects and note for the beaent OF the public
Whatever of interest the lady might have TO say IN
reference to herself and her visit
the time was unfortunately chosen, for evi.
news had met the great srag adienne on her arr-
val, and the reporter found the actress who was
wont to make others weep, in deep grief at the
death OF near and dear relative. Almost the
nrst letter which came TO her hand had announced
the death OF her brother, distinguished oficer In
the Italian army. 1t was not therefore, to be
wondered at that the lady's eyes were RED with
recent weeping, and that her real sorrow at
the death OF her relative was apparent IN
spite OF the brave efforts she made to
conceal her emotion. Her brother had fought for
Italian freedom and at the time OF his death there
seemed to be opening before him brilliant future.
He was truly, to use the lady's own words, ''un
decor de Canatue," and now she learned Tor the
first time that the grave had swallowed up the
hopes OF honor and preferment OF this brave and
estimabe soldier. And now the great tragedienne
must bring to his early grave the tribute OF SIS
ter's tears.
At such a time It seemed like PROCLAMATION to
speak OF scenes and plays upon mimic stage.
Yet 1t would not do to dwell upon SO sad
theme, and so the conversation turned upon the
happier days when Rlstori won ner first laurels on
the American stage.
The mention OF that happy time was like CLEAN
of sunshine through April shower, and the
mind OF the great actress, wandering back in
stinctlvely through lapse OF years, forgot the
sorrows OF the moment IN grateful remembrance
OF the kindness and enthusiastic apprecia.
ton with which she had been. welcomed
years ago to this American land. "Al
though" she said. 81 have been treated with
the greatest kindness In the Spanish Americans,
and fav0K. have been showered on me can never
forget. Yet when found myself bacK In New
YORK felt as though was again in my own coun-
try, surrounded by my friends. There Is in the le.
thing kindred to my own spirit, and the energy
and activity that are impressed on all that one
tengent INDUSTRY tnat one feels he Is in the midst
OF progressive civilization In no other part OF
america n' m., s With the v0s same .e e5
ness Europeans may be treated in South
Anne BY the people. We always feel
essentially from that to which We have been &C.
customed. Here in America It is dinerent. ana
as soon as set foot In New York and beheld The
magnificent streets ana public buildings
FELT THAT WAS AT HOME.
with which was treated In South America. My
tour was, in TACT, trumpnal progress, In which
eonc one @ e sre TO 40 me
visit to the Pacific slope OF South America, and
the attention | received nom the people in those
countries Will ever remain one OF the most pleas
ing memories Of my liie."
Here the reporter ventured to inquire II Nine.
Ristori had not had some trouble with the authOr-
ties at HavanaY
ION, WI! tel! you all about that was the
was at Santiago, In Peru, was invited TO splen.
did banquet by one OF the chief officials. Ali the
among them several Of the foreign aSDassaaors
and nearly all the corps Diplomattque. General
Quesada, the Cuban general was also pres.
great taient-his secretary. several toasts
were offered a. me-, and, among others.
beautiful, so full OF fire and and enthusiasm, that
| was really touched, and desiring to mark my
me. sauted him rom my place. he rose and
came toward me. l shook him warmly oy the
tribute ne had paid me, when one OF the guests
th0ughtlessly rose and proposed that l should
give q representation or the benefit OF Cuba;
could not refuse or withdraw, and consented. A
represen tatlon was at once organized. and was
announced as about to perform for the benefit OF
the CnDan insurgents. This placed me in false
position. / was about TO appear as political
had been treated with great generosity BY all
classes From the Queen to the people had been
tunes, IL would have, seemed ungrateful in
of asd w %Sas naG s s
nothing but Kindness. FOR these reasons | told
the gentlemen interested that 1t would be impos-
sibe Tor me To perform IN aid OF the cuban insur.
gents, but tina, was Wiling to DO so Tor the
wounded Cubans. This was workof humanity.
announcement was then made that i would
give the represens GMnon. for the oenent
In Havana. where 1t was my intention
to perform. was told by the agent that the Span.
tempted to appear would certainly be subjected
10 Insult and driven from the scene. was as.
Crowded, but that there Would probably result 0
demonstration against me by the volunteers and
q counter decentralization by the Cubans winch
would probably terminate In conflict
In which hves would certainly be lost Under
these circumstancesft is needless TO say that I
refused, Tor the sake OF lew thousand dollars, to
expose to possible insult ana be the cause OF
blood being shed, and abandoned the idea OF ap-
pearlng IN Havana. ! was told spat II would
apologize no opposition would be made to my
performance. This refused to do, because IL was
not IN keeping with my dignity"
Signor Vainl, a young Italian artist OF promise,
resident IN this city, was announced at this point,
sns the Aarquise del Grillo rose 70 receive the
ton was resumed 1t turned on Nine. Rlstori's
present engagement ana her future course. she
said, with evident regret, that her stay IN Amer.
Tea was limited TO three months. Sne would visit
all the principal cities. and after playing at san
will 60 to the East Indies, returning through
Egypt TO Italy, Within one year and hall she
WILL nave completed ner voyage round the world. /
AhE. RISTORI
begins her engagement at the Lyceum, opening |
IN the character OF Mary stuart which VIII DO !
presented with splendor never before witnessed !
In this country. SO rich 10 the mise scene that
the play. as 1t VII, DO produced, wlli be almost
spectacle In biillIancy. Like Salvlni, Nine. Ris.
tori brings with Aer all the stage appointments
necessary for the production OF her
plays, and the amount OF her baggage
therefore something really formldaoe.
on the 2lst Of september, 1866 Nine. Rlston,
the great rival OF Rachel, first appeared before !
an American audience. Her success was electric. !
For the first time since the appearance OF. the
elder Kean an American audience recognized
truly dramatic genius, and New York. with It's
spontaneous recognition OF merit, hailed the new !
conner with enthusiasm. Seldom IN the history OF
the drama was success won under conditions SIM /
ilar to those In which the great Italian actress
spite OF the obstacles OF language, carried with
her the audience Of the American CAPT.
tai. by ner power alone Of represent |
Ing the power OF passion she showed how
small factor language might become in presence