New-York tribune., 1880-04-06
Music AND THE DRAMA.


ITALIAN OPERA-LA SONNAMbULA
At the Academy of Music last night La sonnam-
bula" was given with change in the cast. SiRnor
Iazzarni taking the part of ElrinO in che place OF
Signor Campanini. 1t is most trying thing to be
Obliged. almost without notice, to replace so popu
lar singer as Campanini in one of his best parts
but the young tenor acquitted himself admirably
His light but resonant voice told we'll in the en-
sembles He sang consclentiously and with good
taste and his acting was careful and Intelligent
He is not an artist OF extraordinary powers, Dut
the great improvement in his work since he first sang
here in concert with Mr.. Maurice StrakOsch promises
well for his future and his earneStness and honesty
cf purpose seem certain to make him useful light
tenor. Mile. MarimOn sang the role of Amina' and
he yOcalizatiOn in the hOrid parts Of the music,
and especially in the "Ah! non glunge, quite
moved the house to enthusiasm. The performance
was smooth except in some of the concerted pieces
where occasional slips always inevitable in the
case of sudden changes in the cast. The chorus and
orchestra were excellent
LESTER WALLACK AS SIR OSWIN MORTLAND
Years have passed since the old play of To Marry
or Not TO Marry" was acted 1t is the last OF Mrs.
lnchbad's nineteen dramatic works. and 1t was hfst
presented in 1905, at Covcnt Garden, London. IL
does not appear ever to have been much esteemed-
although it is brmful OF merit-and 1t mas no
especial record. We first saw it in December 1s64'
when the elder Wallack revived it at his theatre,
and Lester Wallack made very brilliant impres-
sion i, it-acting Sir Os,rin NorIGnd.
II way again brought forward, last night, at wal
lacks theatre and again. while pleasing large ana
brilliant audience it justified its claim to an honor
able rank in dramatic literature. lis story II Sich-
der is nevertheless interesting and, TO some ex-
tent typical; its incidents are humorous and even
sparkling: its characters lifclike yet family
dealized its construction is simple neat. ana es-
sentiay dramatic; its sentiment is tine and Its IAN
guage is characteristic of the several speakers How
ing, and often elegant Mr.. Wallack has judcionsly
condensed the work, and by way of Suggesting.
has framed it in several rich. old-fashioned EngiSh
interiors, which harmonize with its sedate tone and
lis pervasive air of ariStOcratc romance.
The scheme of the comedy was to enshrine IN
rather sombre formal but elegant surroundings, the
figure of q proud, sad, thoughtful, half-cyncal
scholar,--no longer yOeng. yet not old-and to dis
play his involuntary surrender to woman aud love.
He is represented as holding himself supe-
Iior to human passion and its resultant weak
ness. The merriment arises out OF his
CONSERVATION when wounded his struggles against
fate his subterfuges to cover his discontinue and
the perfect ariessness with which his fascinating
congueror subdues him to her will. This subject is
nothing, perhaps-but it takes a very fine art to
make nothing more than matter"
Mr.. Wallack is marvelOusy wei! fitted in the
character of Sir OS,rn WOrtldnd. His picturesque,
romantic aspect his easy assumption OF sad gravity,
his Quiet cynicism. his autumnal gracc-in whch,
nevertheless there is a reminiscence of sprnc-tne
his quick susceptibility to the comic element in
contrasts of character with inconsistent conduct or
absurd circumstances, his playful lumor, and his
nervous, sustained, incessant preservation
of an assumed persOnaity-all these are
called into exercise by this seemingly simple
but really eXacting part. He acted 1t last night
with most delicate appreciation of its subtlety
und with beautiful finish The ideal, beginning
with poetic ssquestration from mankind and the
turmoil of life-lthat condition of pensive ausere.
yet gentle repOse. amid lawns and trees and flowers,
and books, for which the O'cr-abOred brain is some
times half mad with desirel-and ending i'll con-
fession OF brotherhood with the human race in all
Its feelings and experience, was drawn and colorcd
with the hand of a master. This work alone would
tufice to show that Lester Wallack is great COM
ediau.
The aux:liar acting was. for the most part sympa-
thetic with Mr. Wallack's spirit and example.
Miss BOnifacc, to be sure, is q somewhat painful
speaker aud lacks charm; but. though she failed
to make Hester a tender and winning type Of SYM
plicity, she amply succeeded in making her light,
coquettish and ARCH and thus she did partial JUS
tice to the authors conception. Alas. shall
never see again such ovelincss as Mary Cannon
Infused into this part Mr.. Gilbert acted, with his
accustomed tact, the fussy and talkatiye old
Lord DdaJei3y. Mr.. Beckett was uuconsciously
droll, entausled among the incOngruites of
the nature Of Ur. Uillowear. The fashionable
woman was boldly drawn by Miss GermOn;
and the placid. formal rural lady correctly and
with quiet refinement. impeTsonated by Madam
Ponisi. TO Marry or Not To Marry ought to
laxya nfofio Oiy
pleasure and it carries without obtruding, valua-
BILE moral. No man can escape the conditions of
mortality. Solitude is not a refuge. Bitterness
brings no comfort. The active l:fc of the affections
is tue only true life and. for the coolest cynic,
there is no hour of resttl in that last sleep OF ALL
he is
Relied round In earth's durnal course,
With rocks and stones and trees.
OLD CAST-Deco 1861.
Sir oswin Mortland Lester W1;isck