The New York herald., 1878-11-30
ORCHARD I."--F1FTH AVENUE THEATRE.


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Lords ladies. heralds. Officers 2c
An adaptation Of Shakespeares Richard H. was
given last night before appreciatve audience, by
Mr. Booth and the Fifth Avenue Theatre company.
The leading actors conception Of the title role
consistent with itself and presented with that
scicntious painstakng intelligence that marks al Of
Mr. Booths efforts. while the force which informed
certain most heartily recognized by the
all lence. The makeup" OF Richard was thoroughly
artistic and kingly.
TO AMI hear Richard H." as it was given last
night is to be compelled to wonder while ad
mire, whether Shakespeare has much standing
among actors dramatist. The scissors have
been used SO ndustriously that very good know-
edge Of the English history Of the time is necessary
to comprehension Of the piece at all. All this
be necessary to the extreme portrayal of Richards
character Mr.. Booth comprehends it, and
little of this would any audience
like to lose yet if the motive OF drama is to be
developed i'll manner truly dramatic and with due
regard to the laws Of dramatic proportion this latest
Of monologue to be acceptable. Richard is
presented figure with the merest apology
ior background whereas IN the original
rich and harmonious composition in which there is
nothing without dramatic merit. There will be
siderable doubt, too among readers as to whether
the text ustifes Mr.. Booth in his ideal Of Richards
character To majority of readers it has appeared
that the Richard of the drama was far more than
himself: he type of that vast body of human
ity which. imperious reckless and selfish while
successful, in adversely to knowledge Of
tl,ci, 1attnr u4n mud avln 90
its rightful pre-emnence ut least to serve
hight under which to view the past and endure the
sty becomes philosophical but loses his
petulance. or ceases to complain. by implication
right Of ia Sngship remains 'n to the A end ''a as
intense that of the Comte de Chambord
OF the east st.. there here is = thanks Is o, or blame
in the first act there is nothing OF importance to De
said or done by any one. The Duchess of Gloster
appears only on the playbill. and even Bolingbroke
Richards successor, but few words say after
the quarrel with Norfolk with which the piece opens
Mr.. Mordaunt made impressive looking Gaunt
and delivered tho dying speech with force which
not that peculiar to the occupants OF deathbeds
REHEARSAL OF THE oRAToRIo SOCIETY AT STEM
WAY HALL.
Handeps 'Alexander's Feast" and Mendelssohn'a
'114th Psalm selected by the Oratorio Society
for its initial effort OF the season, and public
hearsa Of these works given yesterday afternoon.
y
formed here in nearly decade. and to the present
generation it is almost an entire novelty. r.
as Mr.. Taine has enthusiastically written. the
ode is "a masterpiece OF rapture and art" il
cannot be said that the music il born -
well both Of inspiration and art 1t is finished, IL
all Of Handels later work. 1t is ripe with the best
fruits Of his experience and talent but it fired
by the burning touch Of genius. II appeals to the
intellect in high degree but it never, almost
a pr Oaeu
could have written the work. and few could have
faithfully refeed the spirit OF the verse in the
music.
WHILE therefore. the music always interests II
never deeply impresses the listener, and there are
times when 1t seems almost tedious. The perform
anco was, for a rehearsal. remarkably smooth. Mist
Helen Ames sang the whole better than at any of
her previous appearances here Her high notes were
arstically and effectively delivered, and all OF her
yet. ndistinct. and she seemed yesterday not to
know her part without following her book closely.
Mr.. William Courtney is ut his best In oratorio
music and. spite of little hoarscness, he rendered
his music with finish and fervor not often
passed. Mr.. franz Rcinmertz sung in his usual
forcible but not especially refined manner giving
the well known air, Revenge, Revenge" however,
with admirable appreciation of its true spirit The
chorus not very large and not very well balanced
but II very good which is perhaps to the
purpose. The tenors and all the other parts will OF
course. have better representation at the concert
The .s11ith Psalm, by Mcndelssohn, following the
Handel work. magnifcently sung. the chorus
doing its best work in this great number. The or
chestra played well. but not so well had hoped
after hearing 1t at the first symphony concert. The
hall not crowded The music public of New
York is numerically strong enough to carry all
the enterprises along that offer. especially II some
are offered inopportunely Of late has been the
The Oratorio Society is worthy Of generous
support, and such occasions should be selected for
its appearances will not clash with other offerings
popularly attractive. Had DR.. Damrosch waited
until Christmas week he would have had fairer op-
portunty for the successful OF his OF
oratorio.