National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-04
SsLyINI TIE GREAT.
A Splendid Representation OF I" The Glad
fafor-Auuuemeuf Notes.

A Splendid Representation OF So The Glad
| iator-Amusement Notes.
It is not bestowing too much praise
upon Tomaso Salyini to say that he Is the
greatest living actor. No other performer possesses
! the same wonderful voice. the same mo-
bile features, capable of expressing every
variety of emotion; the same express
| i've gesticulation, or the same power of
thrilling an audience by the force and vitality of
his representations. The play of "The Gladiator"
which was presented for the first time in this city
last evening, is one that calls for all
| his resources of power, and to which his
magnificent physique is especially adapted
| Any one who went to Ford's Opera House under
the impression that he to see an Italian trans
! lation of the play that was made popular by Ed
win Forrest, and more recently by John McCuI-
| Tough, was very speedily undeceiyed. The mo-
tive of the play presented by Salvn is the tyranny
of the patrician classes of old Rome-the licen-
tiOusness, superstition, and cruelty which charac-
terized the whole people The Gladiator lSignor
Salvini) is slave whose wife has been murdered
by Fdustind, the empress mother Miss Marie Pres
cOtt) He escapes with his infant daughter whom
he loses. On his return to Rome he visits OrigeE
(Mr. II. A Weaver, who lives in the catacOmbs,
and to whom he tells his story, and also informs
him of an intended revolt of slaves. While here
he meets the Empress, who comes in search of Nc0-
uuWbI MISS JuIld Stuarl), u DeauIllul SldNc dnu
Christian betrothed to F2araR (NIr. Harry Crisp,
who is beloved by the Empress. They recognize
each other and as an oracle has connected the
lost GIddidtorS daughter with the Empress son. she
promises to reward him if he can find his child
In the meantime she bids him accompany her to
FldrianS palace, where NeOddniG lives and to kill
her if, after an interview in which she should
prove her lovers faithlessness she should refuse
to quit Rome. He goes to the house. but refuses to
kill the girl. The marriage ceremony is inter
rupted by the bringing in ofthe aged Christian ORR
gen. Upon his appearance Ne0ddEliG avows herself
also Christian, and, resisting the tender appeals
of Flarian, she quenches the sacred fire upon the
altar and is hurried off to prison ut the command
of the outraged priest. The Gladiator in the mean
time, has been ordered to appear in the arena and
has been taken away by the lictors at the instance
of FduStina In this Qhe third act Miss Marie
Prescott completely electrified the audience by her
impressive and effective acting during her inter
view with F7dyidp in which, after attempting to
induce him to abandon his promised
bride and share with her the regency of
the State, she vows to be revenged upon
NeOdGmid and himself After the delivery of
her final invectiOn she was most raptu0uSly
applauded, and was obliged to twice return to the
stage and bow her Acknowledgements. The next
act is the great one of the play. The scene is a
copy of the coliseum. On one side is the Empress
and her likeness on the other, the sacred priest,
while around the circle of the arena is seated the
Roman populace To heighten the effect, grated
doors are shown at intervals, through which are
seen :he lions and tigers which are intended to
drink the Christians blood. As Salvini steps into
the arena he presents as fine a specimen of manly
physique as one would wish 10 Sec-the
living type of the ideal Gladiator.
II is ordered that he shall first kill Neodan,iq, who
is brought in by the lictOrs. He protests at frSt
on account of her tender years; but the order is
again given, and as he removes her shawl he dis
covers scar upon her shoulder by which he rec
ognizes her his own daughter. His acting at
this point was thrilling in the extreme and as he
pleaded in anguish for his daughters life the
feelings OF the audience were wrought to the high
est pitch Of excitement, and the applause
which followed was deaening. At the close of the
act double recall WAS demanded. In the last act
NeOdamia is killed by her father to avoid outrage
by the Infatuated people, who burn the palace and
destroy the Empress son. The part of Ne6dGmia is
very well taken by Miss Stuart whose personal ap-
pearance is i'll perfect harmony with the
innocence and purity of the character. Mr.
Harry Crisp makes an effective and manly
Fgdrtan. OF course the intere,t centres in the
eminent Italian tragedian, whose portrayal |
of the Gladiator exhibited in the fullest degree his
profound abilities and his creative powers. In !
every phase of the character he displayed the !
most perfect artistic finish, and his, wonderfully
musical voice capable of tones of exquisite ten
derness OR rathos, or laundering in passion never
broke Or appeared to be orertaxed His whole |
performance was dramatic picture that will long |
live in the memory Oft the distinguished audience |
that was present. Tonight salvini will appear in |
Othello."
NOTES.
The last concert of the Colored Ideal Concert Com
pany took place last night and fully as successful
as the first. The performers all acquitted themselves
most creditably and VIII be gladly welcomed again.
ecOncert Of Matthews Church which will take
place the Congregational Church on the 10th instant
will be highly appreciated Ii will be repetition of
the mastery rendition of Nercadante'S Seven Last
Words" which given at 81 Matthew's Church on
Good Friday.
The Boston Ideal Opera Company. which will ap-
pear at FOrd's Opera-HOuse on Friday night, COM
prises such eminent vocalists as Adelaide Phillips
Marie Stone, Tom Karl, 9Iyron Whitney, George
Barnabee, and Others.
The benefit rendered Mr. Joseph Sessford tomorrow
night should not be forgotten. The attraction of The
Pirates of PenZancc,' added to the personal pOpu-
arity of Sir. Sessford should fill the house to its ut
most capacity,
The grand May festival to be held az the National
Theatre promises to be grand success, five may Judge
rom the sale of tickets yesterday. Our citizens may
therefore look forward to of the greatest treats
unsteady ever given in this city. 1t is nece
AIRY for us to say anything with reference to the
;reat and peerless Campanini Those who have
leard him in opera will be anxious to hear him in
Drat0riO and the grand aria, "Cergus Anmunl." from
'tabat Mater as rendered by him will be worth going
long distance to hear. This. i'll addition to Mrs.
mOSen Brown, soprano; Mr.. John f. Winch, the
reat bassO, and the grand chorus and orchestra
mould crowd the National Theatre. Those who de
ire eligible seats should secure them at once there
eing extra charge.
Colonel r. G. InserSO will deliver his newest lee
ure Great Iniidels the National Theatre on
sunday next. The sale Of tickets will commence to-
morrow.
The literary and musical entertainment which Will
q given n the Masonic Temple this evening Will be
Or the benefit of the Bethany Free Kfnde=gur zen.
he programme is good one, and WILL no doubt be
ighly enjoyed.
Advocates of Universal Pence.