The Portland daily press., 1880-11-10
SARA BERNHARDT.
Her First Appearance In America.

Her First Appearance In America.
Mile. Sara Bernhardt made her first appear
ance before an American audience at Booths
Theatre, New York, Monday evening That
the occasion was a great one does not require
to be said, as curiosity was at its highest ptcl,
and an immense audience was insured by the
advance sale of tickets. Fully 5000 persons
witnessed the play, while many others went
away from the theatre unable to gain admit
tance. "Adrienne Lecouvreur" was the piece
presented, and when Mile. Bernhardt came
upon the stage for the first tine in the second
act she was received with most hearty clap
ing OF hands, many in the audience rising
The applause was long continued and was ac-
knowledged by a deep curisy, twice repeat
ed. Her manner was almost hesitating for a
moment, as though she doubted what her re-
ception was to be, but the assurance that she
was welcome guest was unmistakable, and
self was soon lost in the part she had to play
her hrst uttrences were in deep tragic tone,
which soon changed to the light and rapid ut
terance of banter. Her voice is vibrant, clear
and far-reachiDg. and her elocution so perfect
that the extreme rapiaity of her utterance
does not interfere with The distinctness of her
enunciation, every syllable in her speech
being clearly defined. Her action is character
lied by quickness and energy, apsing at
times IN this play into the languor of a tired
girl. She makes great deal by posing and
IN TINS respect her art is revealed fully as
much as in any other. Her costume ON her
clinging closely to her form, the sides of the
skirt being tinged with pale blue and tie
front garnered with light red silk fold or
apron. Her auburn hair hung down her back
to her waist. During the scene she evoked
from the audience twice a burst of enthusiasm
and IN the third scene there was perfect
storm OF applause, the audience yielding unre-
servedly to the artiste's great power. The in
tervleW OF Adrienne with the Princess was
strong and stormy scene, at the close of which
M lie. B6ruhar0t tvpipa lad Tba
fourth act opened quietly. Mile. Bernhard
wore long robe with front of quilted cream
colored silk, the drapery extending from the
forehead in graceful folds down the back to
the end OF long trail In the second scene of
the same act this costume was changed for one
OF pale blue trimmed with flowers The scene
was one OF rare power, and called forth strong
manifestations of appreciation. A number of
elegant Moral gifts were passed over the foot
nghfs, and after the curtain had descended it
had to be raised repeatedly in order to satisfy
the demands of the enraptured throng
1t was in the last scene of the play. however,
that Mile. Bernhardt made com plete the vic
tory she had already achieved. Her delinea-
ton OF that heaviest of human misery, the
pain of broken heart, revealed much of that
within her which has given her the mastery
over the affections of play-goers in her own
country and in England. As Adrienne's death
approached the audience was held as in a spell,
which was only broken when the green curtain
fell by loud and enthusiastic call, repeated
many times. "Bravo'' and .sBernbardt!"
rang out from the audience repeatedly, and
when the lady appeared before the curtain
accompanied by Angelo, she was greeted with
hearty cheers, the waving of handkercbiefs
and hats adding emphasis to the ovation. The
performance ended shortly before midng hit,
and at about half past twelve O'Clock Nj lie.
Fernhardt was Seren ded at her hotel by Gill
more's Band. Nearly 1000 people were pres
ent. and the lady acknowledged the coInpli-
meht by appearing at the window of her
apartments and hoWinp