New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-07

Sandman Company crumbled away; and in 1858
Ross, having formed company of his own, took it
to Vienna His first appearance there was made at
the Wieden Theatre, but ms success so brilliant
that the doors of the Carinzia Theatre-usually
kept sacred to opera--were speedily open TO him,
and here he acted, before OF the most critical
audiences in Europe Hamlet, 0ibelSo, Macbeth and
hiag Lear and produced Goldonis comedies, la Ge-
lose di Lndoro" and Hinnamorati." The works
of Goldoni had up to this time, been unknown upon
the German stage. They have since become favor
ties in ali the theatres of Germany. Rossi's per-
Torrance of the Gid, in Comedies great play, was
admired by the German critics. and he was ac-
counted successful in representing the chief per-
sons of ancient and modern French drama. The
adaptability of his powers and the extent of his
repertory seem to have been brilliantly illustrated
at this time. He acted in the Italian language but
he presented, by turns, the heroes of both comedy
and tragedy in the best literature of Italy, France
Germany and England. His German characters
were Schllers Don Carlos and Goothe's Clarigo. At
later period after his return into Italy, he also
acted Goethe's Mephistopbeles in a drama based on
Faust" which was written for him by Signor
Enrico Montazio. ROss has made at least three
professional tours of the cities of Germany and his
NAME in that country, is written with that OF
Dawson by good judges of dramatic art.
HIS VIEWS OF THE DRAMA.
NOIlccb uStlul lnpIchsiOlS Us W llsS
requirements and character of Rossi may be gath
cred from letter discussing Italian art and his
own projects. which he addressed to friend some
time after his first visit to Paris. "Upon my return
to Italy," il proceeds " saddened to perceive
how low the condition of our the tire is in compari
son with that of France l meditated much about
this, and presently INDUCED the hope-perhaps
futile-that might do something toward elevating
the stage of my native land Accordingly l gath
cred dramatic company and devoted myself to
directing, well as could, the efforts of number
of young players, whose affections | strove TO win
by the kindest attention to their best interests.
Among these l mention Celestina Martini and Cesare
Rossi, who now occupy a good rank in wander
ing companies took up again our naughty Alfcri,
and | again went over GoldOn and / confess that /
preferred the works of the Venetian lawyer to those
of the Astigian. like to act in tragedy. but my
fOndness for comedy is at least equal. Indeed it is
my deliberate Judgment that comedy should he
oftener performed than is, and with greater care
by the actor who aims at greatness in tragedy.
The representation of comedy makes the speech
more fluent and timber, invests the manners with
more grace and elegance, and teaches the actor the
great virtue of self-IeStrant, needful in the ut
terance of strong passions. In gathering youthful
and eager spirits around me- ii my desire TO in
culcate these ideas and also to encourage Italian
authors. brought out many new plays-comedies,
tragedies. dr1mas-hy unknown hands. They were
mostly wretched stuff AT last, despairng to find
new Italian genius, took up my pet project of in
Producing Shakespeare upon the Italian stage. |
had been acquainted with his works from my boy
hood, for had often listened to the reading of them
by my godmother when | was q child, and had many
times beer sent 10 bed to dream of spccrcs witches
and the deaths of kings. l now reflected that tins
great poet, if brought home 10 the immediate and
practical knowledge of the Italian public, might
arouse that intellectual enthusiasm with reference
to the stage which felt to bc nccdful for its adj
There was reason, of course, to fear
that public ignorant of the ShakeSpeareau
mouldS and style-which are better adapted to the
pensive and reuccnt character of the northern ma
tionS, than to the tumultuous and dcmouStratiyo
people of lt3ly-wOuld be repealed rather than at
tracted by this novelty Idid not hesitate though.
" Ojheilo," Macbeth,"" Corioianns and " King
Lea" in rapid succession and rejoice TO say that
light. cannot tell you what study and fatigue It
cost me to interpret those great and difficult parts
was unacquaintcd, ut that time, with the English
language. The Italian TRANSACTIONS OF shakespeare
affected me as very unsatisfactory. But / fire.
quented, as much as possible the society of English
LADIES' and gentlemen, and got from them all the
could obtain. And so | was enabled
to wear with acceptance the sablcs Of Hanlet the
bTeast-plate of CoriodHas, and the crown of LoGr'
LABoRISG To ELEVATE THE STAGE.
In this way Rossi transferred Shakespeare to the
Italian stage. 1t great and honorable achieve
ment, and the success which Rossi gained was
indicative of his original Independent
mind. He had no traditions TO follow. He had. il
is true, seen James w. Wallack jr. but that actor
spoke English which the Italian did not under
stand. and it is presumable that he derived from
Wallacks acting little more than hints and sugces-
tons. Upon the Italian stage Mt any rate he found
no model His Shakespcarean presentations had
therefore, to be fashioned after ideals of his own
Italian criticism speedily pronounced him unique
and his success was the utter discontinue of the
detractors always in full cry upon the heels of
merit who had been wont to call him copyist of
Modena.
Rossi's plans and labors for the elevation of the
with all the prosperous results that were antici-
pated. He built his own fame however, upon q
solid foundation in the respect of his countrymen
and he made the stage of his native land better than
it was when he found it. He did not-as Will have
been perceived-remain long in italy with the com
pahy he had formed. Destiny seemed to win that
he should be q traveller. aud the history of the
greatest part of his career is the history of tolls
undertaken and trlumphs ACCOMPLISHED IN FOREIGN
lands The record of the last twenty years is
thlcbly studded with incidents honorable alike to
abored. Some of these it may be worth while 10
mention, as throwing light upon his character and
mind. as well as upon his history and the esteem he
has inspired.
WANDERING ARTIST.
The current of Ross's wanderings is found to run
through many countries, and it is seen that his
presence and participation have lent lustre to many
bright occasions AT the great festival in Paris in
of Corneille Rossi was chosen by
Ihe French Academy to act the Cid, and thus I'm
contraVentlon OF old custom, and in rejection of
local and native actors the Italian tragedian was
at the Theatre Francas to interpret the
lofty tragedy of the French classic in the Language
OF Dante. AT Bordeaux at about the same time. he
was asked to enact in French, the character of
Roderigae and this he did with indomitable snirit