The New York herald., 1879-11-07
ITALIA THEATRE MARIA STUART"

Probably the most perfect performance of Schilers
great tragedy, Maria Stuart ever given in the
poets native tongue, American boards was
presented densely packed house at the
Thalia last night. The performance and the
house alike remarkable, and not since
the early days of the 'Old Bowery' has such
crowd found Judgement within the famous play.
house. The inclement weather seemed to have been
entirely disregarded, and hundreds willingly paid
admission money for standing room only. Perhaps
more eloquent commentary the performance
would be necessary than the mere statement that
those crowded the aisles and back of the house
stood patiently until the fau of the curtain the
end OF the fifth act.
TO write of the play without mention of the
audience would be impossible, since the magn etsm
of great numbers, and sympathy, eloquently ex--
pressed in flowers and applause, had much to do
audiences. proverbially phlegmatic, rarely ex-
cited to interrupt the progress of dia-
logue or mar scene with applause. but twice
during the progress of maria Stuart last night the
actiug and defamation were so brilliant that the
house gave way to outbursts Of applause. during
which some of the lines were lost to the greedy
of silent listeners. The presence of q strong
English element in the audience may explain
this departure from established precedents
As with Rachel and Rstori, when they were
here lrschick will have to contend with these
ruptions, for, like both the great queens of tragedy
she is claiming the attention OF people who not
familiar with the language in which she acts. Ris
tori aud Rachel proved that in Italian and French
the art instincts of American audiences could be graf
life and thrilled, and Irschck intends to make the
same demonstration regards German. SO much
for the audience. II the players could be as quickly
dismissed the task easy one but it would be
injustice to curtly dismiss them. Too much praise
cannot be bestowed the fidelity with which
their work done, and the religious adherence
to the poets lines developed all the fine
phases of the play. One disagreeable feature of
the star' performance generally was entirely done
away with last night. Generally everything con.
ducs to emphasize the leading rde but i'll the pres
ent instance all the characters had well marked
individuality. the result of good acting less than
the failure Of the manager to impudently
mitigated by that OF other per-
formers-Miss Trautmann and Mr.. Sch0nted-and
instead of one the audience enjoyed u trinity of
The character of Elizabeth in all respects
strong as that of Maria and Mortimer twice kin
died the enthusiasm OF the audience beyond control
To have seen Mr.. Schonfed as Jason in Medea and
Mortimer in Maria Stuart to have seen him
at his worst and his best. His performance last
night was so thoroughly good as to en-
tirely obscure The memory of HIS feeble in
depreciation OF Jason He threw himself
into the work with such fire and vgor
that the sight OF his lovemaking obliterated the
prosy surroundings of the house. aud transported
lookers-on into the garden where he vowed his pas
sion. In their various characters every individual
on the programme is deserving OF the highest
praise. as all lent aid to make most complete per-
formance.
sTEINwAY HALL-FIRsr PUBLIC REHEARSAL OF
THE SYMPHONY SOCIETY OF NEW YORK.
The symphony Society of New York. OF which DIR.
Leopold Damrosch is conductor, embraces among
its members so many well known usicians that its
concerts are among the notable musical events the
winter On Saturday next will occur the first
symphony concert OF the season, public
rehearsal OF which gwen yesterday
at Steinway Hall before large audience that in
cluded very many of the amateur and professional
musicians OF the city The programme was an cx.
cellent one, presenting works of high
order. and OF which were quite new
here. the society playing Liszt's "Festklange"
t''Sounds of Festivity'9 for the first time,
and Miss Drasdil singing volkmans ITO the
Night" (sheiley), new fantasiestnck for alto and
orchestra. The programme also included Beethoven's
symphony in A, No. z; the second movement from
Rats symphony. "FrHhinsklange. t''sounds of
.'Ionuings for Home" for alto Miss Drasdil), the
orchestration being by Dr. Danrosch.
rhc Beethoven symphony was the marked feature
Of the afternoon, and was rendered In u mastery
way. The Wagner selection next IN merit as
far orchestral excellence was concerned. although
the entire programme was 40 very evenly ana MI
rably interpreted that there marked differ
favor of any particular selection. The members OF
the orchestra unusually harmonious IN their
treatment of the music which they play,
and there Is, in consequence, unity or
purpose which produces most marked result
The rehearsal was most admirably DONE and appre-
cated fully by the entire audience and the concert
tomorrow evening promises to be more enjoy
able. When the has been heard again the
newer selections % better estimate he made Of
their share in the work aud n parisop better
be drawn between their execution OF familiar seec
lions ana OF the latest additions to their repeytoire
The society deserves every encourag ement, aud will
doubtless receive Il In full attendance Saturday