The New York herald., 1879-02-24
AMUsEMENrs..r'

ANNA pIcKINsoNs PLAY, ,."AuRELIAy. .r.w.
The play which Anna Dickinson has lately
completed. and in which she herself will appear has
for its motive the effect of love upon great hard
and imperious character The title role is. of course
that of the Emperor Aurclian. who. born
peasant, but by nature Q soldier and
ruler, earned the Roman throne toward the
end of the third century and regned
goriously though briefly. meeting his death at last
through the treachery Of trusted officer. His ma
ture was in all essentials that of the typical Roman;
he WAS warlike. patriotic. indomtable. just, yet
severe; passionate and in his anger cruel and re-
morseless. Setting forth to conquer Palmyra which
in his day was ruled by the great Zenoba.
he subdued that country but according to
Zenobia. whose only ally in the subjugation Of tht
great warrior was the blind little god who ruled in
scters of the play naturally those OF Auresn and
Zenobia; another Is the daughter of q prominent
pired TO the heart of tho EMPEROR An aned Hshra as
witch appears very effectively in several of the scenes
being by turns sorcerer and vendcr OF rars
gems 10 the pat-cian ladies' but always in her pri-
vate hopes aud desires filed with the peculiar Jewish
loyalty to her race. its history its enmises and
friendships. The Roman mobiles and soldiers who
participate In the action of the piece are
faithful to traditional ideals. and contrast ef-
fcctiyely with the court and sodiery of the pamy-
renian queen The piece itself extremely compact
and vigorous: the author has successfully resisted
the tendency to long and stilted speeches which
affiicts nearly every who attempts to reduce
periods of ancient history to dramatic form. On tho
contrary, the text Of "Aureian' abounds in eperam
are believed to have spoken, yet which
rarely drop from modern lips and pens that
which the text naturally leads to and compeis the
finale being of unusual strength and symmetry.
Scarcely any liberties are taken with the accepted
historical accounts Of the hero and his period. Aure
soldier of fortune that he was. but sucn
mon. when they have reached the age
and honors that his at the time with which the
piece concerns itself. have through the burdcnsome
influence of great responsibilities lost the erratic
spirit that marks the successful young soldier The
possibilities and promise OF the piece certainly
good to degree very rare in the modern legitimate
drama
GRAND OPERA HousE-THE DE MURsKA CON-
CERT.
fair but not crowded audience occupied the
Grand Opera House last evening to enjoy another Of
the pleasant that have recently been given
under the auspices of Signor De vivo. The pro-
gramme embraced the following numbers Grand
aria, from "La sonnambus." "vi ravviso. siynor
susni; grand aria from "LuciaJ. "Fra Poco," Mile.
selvi; romanza from "Don Carlos" "Rlla Gismmai
Mamo." Signor Tagapietra; piano solo, "Invitation
Mile. lima de Murska; comic duo. from Don
Part 2--Elute solo, Columbus" rhspsodie Ameri-
canc. Mr.. L. Wcner: aria from "Ccnerentola,''
lima lima de Murska; romansa. % spirto aentil." Nile.
Selvi; LA Stella Conadente signor Taglapietra;
.,Lo! Hear the Gentle Lark" Mile lima dc Murska;
Mile dc Murska was in excellent voice, and has not
been heard to any better advantage during the pres
recalled. Notwithstanding hoarseness Mile.
Selv tho lady tenor. likewise sang her selections
pianist improves on acquaintance. and is rapidly
attaining reputation as one Of the best Of our lady
Leah" will be produced at this establishment to.
night.
GILMOREs GARDEN-GILMoRES CONCERT.
An audience of nearly three thousand people a..
sembled at Gilmores Garden last night. partly at.
tracted by the announcement Of the temperance Of
the famous band and partly to witness the beautiful
decorations of the place by the Arion Society the
occasion Of tie recent ball. The entertainment was
entirely rumenta in character. but the less
interesting that account, for there few local
ities in New York where large musical organiza-
gramme was Us follows :-Overturc. .'Tannhauser;''
quartet for French horns. Church Chimes" Messrs.
zus; Nickei. Loesener anu Eer; concert mazonrkc
Mr.. j. Lcvy grand scloc ton. The Gems Of Faust:'
serenade; Chinese March characteristic; grand de-
scriptive panoramic fantasic entitled "Cfilmoro's
Bands Tour of the Nations" arranged by Signor
Francisco Fanculi; corne solo. Faust Waltz" Mr..
"The Tour OF Nations has become one OF the
most popular pieces In the rertoiyv Of Mr. Gilmore.
It has been materially improved since its first pro:
duction by the addition of several national melodies
such ~ ''The Campbells Are Coming" "The Harp
that Once Through Taras Hail. and the national.sr
Of Holland Besides these are "God Save the
Queen" "Auld Lang Syne" "The Marseillaise. the
national air of Belgium. watch on the Rhine"
.Hsil Columbisi" Yankee Doodle" .'Ths Star
spangled Banner and .Home. Sweet Home!"-a
selection calculated to please every lover Of popular
music.
Another grand masquerade promenade concert
will take place this evening at the Garden. and the
close Of the season before Lent will be celebrated by
o grand Mardi Gras carnival ball to- morrow night,
which the public may attend they do In Germany,
In masks, fancy civic dress. as they may elect.
MRS. JOHN DREw's DENEFIT.
dramatic event of much interest occurred ON
Saturday evening ut the Arch Street Theatre. Pha-
delphia, when Mrs. John Drew received . compl-
mentary benefit The lady appeared for the nrst
time rs Mrs. Malaprop. in. Sheridsns comedy OF