The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-04
ITALIA THEATRE-"MEDEA.'

Old German theatre-goers familiar with the
brilliant histrionic successes achieved on the
historic boards of the Stadt Theatre ten years
by Bogmul Darison, and in recalling these they
member that in the company supporting him was
Magda Irschick. With promise her only recon-
mendaton, the attention which even that should
have claimed. was distracted by the great fame of
the master delineator with whom she appeared, and
it was not until years after when European opinion
ana her native talent secured for her first place
in the profession that the old theatre-goers alluded
to began to credit themselves with having seen
great artist. For two seasons FrIulein Irschick
courted fame and fortune before the footEghts in
America. and indifferent success induced her to re-
turn to Germany. On her return she was warmly
welcomed and in few years she claimed the stten-
ton of all Germany. Not least among her successes
under the patronage OF King Louis II. Be-
tore This royal patron Of the drama she
"Briinhilde' and "Medea' In this last her greatest
power developed. and in it she elected to make
her rentree before New York audience last night.
Herr Franz Grparzer's treatment Of the great
theme is in many respects different from that fam
iarized to American audiences by Ristori and
lrschicks interpretation of the character. The
art which is adequate to deneatlon OF such
pheno menal phase of human feeling, as that which
Medea represents. must be phenomenal. A mother
who could kill her children for love OF them would,
in ordinary Life: seem paradox yet the the pas
Irschick. seems almost natural. The third act.
which, in Herr GrillparZer's work. concludes with
the refusal of the children to go with their mother
affords the star grand opportunity which not
sighted last night. The coaxng supplication made
to young Jason to leave Kreusa was a striking bit
acting. and after the curtain fell Fraulen Irschck
recalled and cheered and twice again recalled.
1t would be unfair to the Fruein to single out any
particular part of her performance. and create an
impression that it was excellent only in bits.
Such not the case. but the lines of the
author in this act pointed climax.
The performance from beginning to end was grace
ful and symmetrical. and the genius which empha-
sized the strength of the third act saved from
mediocrity my passages. which. in other hands.
would have been undeveloped. Herr Griparzer's
work intended to afford the actress in
the title role almost uninterrupted attention,
and consequently the whole of last
nights performance thrown Friu-
lein Irschick which, indeed, fortunate
for the support afforded her indifferent. lii
certain situations Jason Herr Sch0nfed) called
upon for special effort, but his acting crude. 1t
is only charitable to say that this crudeness
marked by contrast with the extreme finish OF Friu
lem Irschick's work. Frau Lube Cora deserves
mention for the intelligent Interpretation of the part
assigned her, but beyond this nothing he said of
the performers. marie stuart" is underlined for
Thursday evening. Meanwhile "Der See-cadet. "
holds the boards.