New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-11
MUSIC AND TIE DRAM l..
&" SIDONIE. 4"

The French author, VI. Alphonse Daudet, first
treated this sube in novel and afterwards ~ drama
Both have with great success IN France and the
novel in u translation is popular here. The drama
translated and adapted by Mr. Frederick A. schwab, VI
this city, was made known Saturday evening at the
Filth Avenue Theatre. The translation has been done
with nice discrimination to those delicate aud subtle
shades of meaning by VIII the French language Is
notably distinguished. The English version does not
er very largely from the original The style Is smooth
AMI pointed There five acts and the first perform
ALICE occupied three hours In " Sdone" unfo.doi
the character OF beautiful dazzling, bewitching, but
wicked women and some OF the direful consequences
ych r. suit from treachcrOus and depraved intrigue
for wealth, social station the admiration OF men aud
envy The character 1t need hardly be said, Is
particularly loathsome is not, however misrepre-
seutation the possible veness OF human nature, aud
as it Is developed in this drama II has been made the
occasion OF several remarkably fOcibe and distressing
dramatic situations. SdOne, incapable Of love. mas
made l0vel - marriage for the sake OF money shc
then commits adultery with her husbands partner in
business order TO increase her revenues from the nr
She then bewilches her husbands brother, viii nigh
leads him into SIM and entirely leads him into desperate
and compromising Jolly. Her nquity Is at length dis
covered and she IS brought TO bay she attempts
desperate revenge upon her husband. In tfs shell
bafcd and sac dies parOXism OF futile rag Thero
is one scene OF great power In this play that namely
in which the outraged and indignant husband co. pes
his pertidious and demOnac wife TO give up
her Jewels in restitution to the plunde 20 hrm THIS
ia closely analogous that great passage In VANITY
Fair, wherein Rdtcdon Crdriey just out OF prison
comes home unmasks Becky sharpe lis wife, tho
presence OF Lord Seyne. II surely cannot be consid
cred good art which forward evil character freaks
of nature types OF total depravl;y merely for the sake
OF their evil. From tho study OF su q character, II
tempered by humanity and elevated by the anguish OF
rcmorse, might be possible TO deduce lesson.
But contemplation of nake coimty is neither
pleasant beneficial The Fre IN mind, however.
sumes that all subjects suitable for the stage out OF
which 10 is possible get dramatic 3fect. Sidonie"
is strong play reared upon this doctrine but 1t Is very
sombre and rrpulsye The action is somewhat impeed
by sDdes There five set scenes constructed with
clos attention TO detail and with ne pictorial taste.
Miss Katharine Rogers presented Sidonie. There
Is in he. actinc a velvet sottness and steel
ike polish which compOrt exceedingly well with this
deal of dangerous female deprayty. SdOnle, thu'
personated has the sinuous beauty, evIl fascination
and vitality OF the leopard the serpont IBIS wa"
n mag piece OF stimulation. MI CoIldOcA "N'eo
the visionary husband endearing him 10 HUMAN
sympathy by sort oi forlom quantuesS, and lSo'hS
ND tho cuminaton OF the piece with burst OF great
pathos The little part OF Desee was acted IN SWEEP
and pleasing manner by Miss isabella THYME young
actress who upon several recent occasions has given
evidences OF distinctive talent. Tie house was crowded
and from the which the piece was recolNtdI'
might be prcsaged that "Sdonie" will have pFo,ptr
ous career Mr. Schwab's part III the wof" has UV,'
done Nth talent aud taste. The full cast 0 parts Is su'
joined: