New-York tribune., 1875-03-04
THE DRAMA.
RrsTORI IN MARY STUART.

eating his words. Critics, like Homer have been
known to before Janns reign and even within
the recollection OF the youngest inhabtant.
| would have witnessed that one nights acting be-
cause II exceptional Any other night 1t seems 10
me that Ristori's Mary Stuart must be. as whole,
superior TO Raches 1t should be judging from the
nature OF the two Risor looks the character
and TINS much. for a Mary Stuart without personal
attraction is a thorn without the rose She is not the
Mary Stuart Of svinburne's Chastelard
with heavy scent Of hair
More bot than vine fai Of sweet wicked words
Bsbbed sgains. mine own lp'
Rstor is the Mary Stuart of another epoch, when 10
years OF imprisonment have taken away youthful
beauty aud youthful passion, leaving still the
-splendor of great hrOa!
and the nobler charms of matured expression.
In the there is little incident. aud little poss-
bity what called effect" Ristori never strives
for points when the situation admits Of none. She
does all that can be done character Her interviews
with Paulet. her tender reception Of Mortimer after
reading her unce's letter aud learning that the dis
courteous youth is selfsacrfcmg friend, the huminty
with which she listens to M0rtimers praise Of her
bcautv-the beauty which has heard no hlttery Tor
many years-the expression Of her fear at being
poisoned the queenliness with which she exclaS, l
recognizs equals but such as wear CROWN ana her
final call upon Elizabeth to do her worst sdy her inno-
cent victim and show herself to the world IN her IN
fanny. leave nothing TO be desired.
Positive interest begins with the third act. Allowed
to roam through FOtheringay Park Mary enters with
the Joy OF freed bird 10y that quickly passes when
told Of the Queens approach. she is stronger-hou
must bend before her." urges the good Talbot.
Non poso!"
There is majestic In Mary's reply; but what
pleasure lights up RistOri's face when told that
Leicester accompanies Elizabeth! Then comes that
magnificent scene between the royal sisters RStoris
approach her captor, her struggle to bow before
lifelong enemy and the quick return of pride when
causes her 10 partly bending he knee are bits
of consummate acting Beautiful is her expression In
murmuring my soul dIscards its noble bat alas, ln
potent pride" and fine Is RIsor's action with the
crucfx when she at last knees az Ezabeths ieet-re
gal pride endeavoring cheat itself with that ncom
parable
Rstorls changes OF expression when Elizabeth declares
that there can friendship with race Of ypers her
sudden movement from triumph TO humility as En-
glands ieen confesses Mlrys Influence upon Engands
cbivalry her wishing Elizabeth graceful reign her re-
nouncing all rIght to the throne
Non son che rombra di Maria"
and the pathos OF her last appeal,
o soreap
are pictures to be hung memorys walls. After this
there IL no more aOasement "Engllnds subjects know
TOO well that thou murderest thy husbands as well as
tbv lovers" cries the Queen. The volcano OF pent-up
frenzy almost bursts forth; but kissing the cross with
that passionate impulse which is so great in Rstor she
suffers on until the auDt OF being universal IN The dis
ributon OF her favors makes endurance lnpoSsiDie'
speeclless at first with emotion Rstori gradually works
herself up into splendid Indignation. Her retort
upon the daughter OF Anna BUena, her denuncaton OF
the bastard occupant Of Brtain's throne, and the nna
victory OF her .
are grand For Rstor well for Mary Stuart 1t is
I'm ora d vendetta di riOnioP
greater contrast than that between the third ana
acts is hard to conceive, but Risor grasps both
Who can forget lovely picture when, taking leave
n, her faithful attendants she eXclams, have been
mnch loved but also much hated" The confession ls
delivered with the earnestness OF reality at It's con
clpsion religious ccstacy iluminates RistorPs face
Noble resignation is embodied in the rendering of the
words,
Col MO Dio coucihataF
have already made my peace with God
And then that short meeting with Leiceser! Heaven
il forgotten old earthly thoughts and memories o self
return There Is burning sarcasm. burning the more
from Rsors subdued voice, in those last words OF Ill
faed Mary stuart "Go! PROSTATE thyser before the
Oueen of England and may the reward she VIII Destow
on thee not prove thy punishment"
The terrible drum beats the headsman in his scarlet
liverv awaits his victim. with superb action Ristori
tears herself away from her treacherous lover, and
bnoeIs before the upted Pale, awestruck, her
ewes xed on the symbol OF Christian faith ana redenp
tIon she goes to meet death with beDedictOn Id her
face and IN her pose
This scene so softens hearts that we almost for
ove Schiller for leaving Mary Stuart out OF two acts,
and are nearly as generous to Elizabeth for not making
+hose two acts interesting. The passion of the third
snd naibos OF the fifth worthy OF Schiller The
rest is weary and unprohtabIe.
II some hat strange that Rstori should make no
change OF costuIne IN the last act II memory speak
trulv Mary was beheaded in full court dress' her
gown was black silk, bordered with crimson Vei'et'
over which fell satin mantle. long vail OF "hte
crAne. edged with rich lace, hung almost to the
cround. The Italian play prescribes "a stately rooe
~ white" yet even this Rstori seems 70 oeu'ur
- vearno black satin striped with velvet, from first
,o Last This austerity appears the more astonishing
because in other roles Rstors dressing Is Characteristic
and beautiful Rachel also erred In Mary STUART out
erred from too much splendor. In the nrst act her
boddice was studded with jewels her neck covered Win
nearls. sbo outshone Elizabeth, and this when I'M
prisoned and deprived OF her nnery-eVeh !" '""'
cherished accessory, looking glass
sIu A. may he argued that Schiller has departed
from fact in painting his dramatic Mary Stuart the
actress justified in dressing her according 10 lucas Vi
effect Perhaps introduction OF Drlght coor "'sn'
initiate against patbos OF the scene. And asr ALL
why discover spots the sun Ihe sun snneS' 'na'
is enough.
Despite the furious storm to-night the LYceum
Theater well filed with sympathetic souls that
divided attention between hbrettos ana the stage
according 10 Rlsor the applause sne merlten but IL
tbose who read breos learned their lessons a home
wbat relief IL would be 10 the general
publtcl Thick leaves OF vallombrosa do not
russls more loutly than those OF the p!ay'o0o1'