Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-01
FROM PARIS.
ABOUT NEW DRAMAS AND HOW TO GET
A PLAY ACCEPTED
Reception of the Swedish Arctic Explorer
Curious Style in Art-April
Oddities-Etc
PARIS April 3. 1880.

ago, when his tragedy of " La File de Ro-
land was played at the Theatre Francois.
Sarah Bernhardt personated the principal
character, and by her superior talent aided
much towards the success of the piece. So
charming was she as La File de Roland
that rich Spanish gentleman begged the
fair actress to pose in her picturesque CO.'S
tune for large portrait, to be painted by
one of his compatriots, the well-known
artist, Mr.. Palmaroli. saw the portrait
on several occasions, but in an unfinished
condition, for although the obliging actress
was willing the Spanish gentleman should
be possessor of her portrait, her numerous
occupations and the demands for her soci-
ETY. left her little time or inclination to per-
form such hard work as posing. She has
since become more identified as Dona Sol,
in Victor Hugo's drama of g Hermann, for
the public to longer associate her with the
tragedian De BorDier, and doubtless the fire
of enthusiasm which she kindled in the
breast of the Spaniard has since died away
Henri de Bornier is
WRITER OF THE OLD SCHOOL,
An imitator of the classics, and he has
taken for his models Corneille and Racine.
This circumstance has taken away much of
his merit in the eyes of the progressive
Hterdti, for since the Romantic school
established by Victor Hugo has been
the model for all young poets, one wonders
why an author should rake among the
ashes of the classics, which have been con-
sidered Theoretically closed to aspiring
genius. They say he was number OF years
composing his tragedy of LA File de
Roland" correcting, boiling down and
filing, and employing all known methods for
the perfection of his verses. The French
great amount of patience, it would be easy
to call into existence whole nation of De
Borniers. The Romantic school requires
greater spontaneity of thought and permits
of greater breadth of expression; that
unless the fen sacre be present there will
be rhyme and not poetry. However,
although NJ. de Bornier spent four years in
dressing up and trimming his ''Attila,"
the fabricated verses fit each other beauti-
fully and blend most tremendously; be-
sides, the dramatic effects derived from the
situations he has created, the contrasts of
character well sustained, all contribute
towards producing a fine literary work
which has been thoroughly goue
by the refined society of Paris.
Henri de Bornier has one particu-
lar merit, in that his efforts have
been patriotic In his "Attila he has
chosen among all the different legends re-
counted of this noted barbarian those
which might be the better adapted to the
theatre, and weaving them together has
created
A CHARMING HISTORY.
The barbarian is killed on his wedding
night by the French heroine, who. like an
other Judith, sacrifices herself for her
country. The verses are full of noble
sentiment, and to listen to them is like
moral bath, which purifes and elevates !;
and let it be said to the honor of Parisians,
there are always crowded houses to hear
them, crowded by those who love and APP
preciate them. Alas how far we are be-
hind the French in that respect for should
an English or American author have the
hardihood to write tragedy, what theatre
cal director would have the courage to put
it on the stage, and who of us would have
the patience to go and listen to it? Art is
we'll encouraged and patronized in France,
for aside from the Grand Opera and Opera
Comic, there are two theatres subventioned
| by the Government, the Theatre Francois
and the Odeon, or, as it is often called,
the second Theatre Francois. These operas
and theaters are forced to open their doors
10 ,1fhnrS ond and
ticular encouragement is given to serious
works elevated as to subject and style.
Much astonishment has been expressed
that M. de Bornier's new tragedy was not
represented at the Theatre Francois, par
| ticularly as the doors of that theater had
already been opened to him, and even be-
File de Roland" brought him. Our readers
may not probably be aware that the Thea
treEFrancais of Paris, of underworld fame,
is conducted ON different principles from
perhaps any other theater in the world.
The principal actors and actresses are
societaires. At the end of each year they
divide the profits among themselves, and
on the presentation of each new piece they,
after hearing it read, vote for its accept
ance or refusal The Directors influence
is comparatively slight, and the most expe-
ditious and surest means of having a piece
accepted is to choose the actress or actor
who would play the principal part,
and by expatiating upon the brilliant
reputation he would earn for himself,
fatter his pride and excite his ambition so
far that he goes to each of his comrades,
and, like any other politician, says ::
"Vote for my protege this time, and next
time / shall vote for yours" Several
pieces have found their entrance into the
Theatre Francois in that manner. When
'La File de Roland % was read before the
societaries Sarah Bernhardt saw therein a
grand role for herself, and used her inhu-
ence for its acceptance. The majority
consented, for the reason that they thought
the public care little for tragedy now, and
that the piece would not keep the boards
long The play had great success, much
to the chagrin of the majority of the COM
pany, who are comedians and who were
prevented from appearing before the pub
lie. Therefore, remembering the exasper-
ating success of La File de Roland, " Nj. de
Bornier was requested by these societaires
to carry his wares to another market, and
| leave them to their comedies and arbitrari-
ness. The spirit of rivalry took possession
of the Director of the Odeon, and no
means were spared to mount the piece with
all the elegance and eclat the Theatre
Francois could have made use of. The
best artists were employed in the painting
of the decorations and the designing of the
costumes, and through a careful selection,
superior artists were brought together,
who, through ambition and emulation,
SURPASSED THEMSELVES,
And won fresh laurels while aiding to
crown the author. NJ. de Bornier is a
person of fifty years of age, and although
he has appeared late in the literary field
he comes so well armed that he has imme-
diately been placed in the front ranks.
Some two years ago he was proposed as
candidate for the Academy, but he did not
succeed in being elected; however, his
chances are good for future election, and
why not !? so many of the members have