New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-28
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
IA pRINCEssE DE BAGDAD.


This is the title Of the latest play by Alexandra
Dumas. Just produced in Paris, where 1T has had
brilliant success The author is said to have written
it within seven DAYS. The suboined account OF its
plot-which shows it to be wonderfully powerful
play-is condensed from The London Neus:
JEAN Count de Hun Febvre) has married Lionnette
mile. Croisette). the anonymous daughter OF .
king who became enamored of her mother when
on visit to Paris before he succeeded to his faith
er's crown. Lionnette is lovely. imperons and ex,
rectitnde, though she has but lukewarm affection
for her husband. They have, however, one child,
son. and would live as happily as possible under the
circumstances bat that the Count has been go
weakly indugent to his wife as to allow her to
lead him into utter ruina situation made still more
disastrous by the fact that the King is now dead;
been confded to dishonest trustee. who has de-
frauded her of it. On settling their accounts with
their creditors, the Count and Countess de Hun lind
that they will only have 10000 francs year this
small sum having been so settled and tied up by the
forethOught of she Counts mother that It cannot
be alienated anticipated 1t rs bread indeed, but
little more, and appears like absolute perjury to
young and luxurious woman full of royal caprees.
Inherited from her father, aud accustomed 10
Here a tempter comes upon the scene in
the person of N. NoauGdy lWormsl bankers sost1s
son, who possesses s fortune oil for i" ons
smile from Lonnete though she rejects his advances
with the scorn becoming noble and hieh-souled
woman. Meantime, however. ~. A0afpddy pays her
debts without her knowledge thus putting public
aaffront upon her husband who is morbidy jealous.
The Count, learning the fact at his club hurres
home In q whirlwind of rage, and taunts MS vic
with having sold her honor. She naturally treats
the accusation the raving OF iunatlc, ana Iney
part in anger. L0Hnee then hurres Win impetuous
haste to house which Noarpadg has impudently
bought in her name, and peremptorily requires
him to undo the mischief he has done. and avert
the consequences he has brought upon her. lie
exnlains that this is impossible inasmuch her
creditors will not return the money they have Just
received, and his answer is met with stern 70
IL. 49,. Cont, tall hnr
lowed her, and, blinded by PASSION has sunlmoheu
the nearest police captain. who is the officer required
by law in France TO collect proofs OF adultery ID
such cases.
They call upon M. Noarvady to open BIS, doors
and when he refuses compliance with their demanoi
effect forGbe ba 1n r"ngb The
WIFE borne away by the headlong torrent OF
her anger and indignation at her husbands
steps in such company. recklessiy determines
herself TO furnish him with the legal proof he seeks
Accordingly she tears her dress IN snIeus tom rss p
the widest disorder. Then she ostentat ously de-
| cares her guilt, and to leave no doubt OF 1t, che
points to casket full Of gold which Nourrady has In
vain offered her as the price of her infamy. AT a
later point the Countess wrought up toa p0ntOf hys
| teric fever by 50 much shame aud sorrow proposes
to leave her home forever with A0rpadg, when her
son gambols into the room and clngs to her knees
at the critical moment. Nevertheless she tries TO
ssr pscy the child
kourrady, growing impatient, and fearing
child rudely ont of the way and - he sbd falls III,
uation. Lionnette awaking now abruptly 70 ell the
ignominy of her position, has her best feelings Of
princess and mother aroused, and her overburdened
heart breaks forth into resentment against the man
| who is about to break up her home. The fever
| passes from her mind in tempest of tears. Nour-
rada is OPPORTUNITY hurried off the stage by friendly
counsel and the curtain falls on her reconciliation
| with her husband, who becomes convinced OF her
| innocence. l.
pronounced the best of 81. Dumass plays II is love
| story at once terrible, beautiful, and true TO
| nature The dialogue abounds In WISDOM rips and
mellow, conveyed in felictous epigrams, and coca
sonally it rises INTO psthos and elOQuence. 1t 10
success of laughter well of tears, and the wit
in it is bright and sparkling, 1t does not deal with
| contemporary manners and fashionable vice, but
| with human passions, which are the same at all
| times and in all countries. 1t was admirably put
| upon the stage and Mile. Croisette, who has been
especially educated for the part Of Lionnce by Mime
Plessjs has revealed herself in the C0Hatess de Hun
| as the most accomplished of living Partisan ac-
tresses Nothing could be finer than her deineatIon
of the offended and angry great lady in her wounded
pride and the tumultuous conflict OF her feelings.