New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-12
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
NODJESKA AS ROSALIND.

MODJ EShA AZ hOsoAl1lNbs
nthe local dramatic field, last night the cen trial
object of interest was Mime. MOdjeskas performance
of Shakesp eare's ROsalind The eminent actress
came forward at Booths Theatre. and was met
there by an eager and sympathetic assemblage. 1t
need not ere be told that she possesses-in GER
tain fragile and almost mOunful lOvellness, in her
sweet win ing manner and in the exquisite grace
of her art-an almost unmatched power 10 charm.
Her Dustin ctiYe pecularties her powers and attri-
butes as an actress, were long ago recognized and
described, and are not here in question She ap-
peared as ROsalind, and the public observation was
chiefly wishful TO learn in what way her trained
art and delicate charms would display themselves
IN this difficult character The performance I'M
pressed us as of tender. tranquil beauty, tenn
pered with piquant archness 1t is deficient IN
massiveness In the sense of exu'tant openair free
DOM and in exuberant physical glee. Nine. Mod
jeska is little slender creature, animated by IN
cessant and tremulOus nervous force, and not OF
either dashing temperament or overlooking ami
NAL vigor But while this hosaliad lacks
the strength Of such womanhOod as may
be hkened to the balm-laden woodland winds,
it is distinctly suggestive of this nature,
and it is replete with the frolic, the
Joy the sentiment, and above ALL with the mind Of
Rosalind; added to which sterling merit, its execu-
ton is impressed with that air of naturalness
winch, on inc stage, Is tue pcIItCliou OI we'll
directed art Not since Charlotte Cushman have
we seen till now. an actress of RosaIiad who had
the subtety to make the woman inexperienced in
acting the man. In this respect Mme. MOdjeska
evinced at once the fine brain aud unerrng instinct
OF great actTess-nOt to speak of her perfect sub
ordination of her faculties to her will The deep
heart of ROsaiiRd was likewise uttered by her, at
each serious moment in the progress of the action.
Nothing could be finer than her blended ardor,
ecstacy, aud shame-faced confusion in the reception
of the news of OrldndOs presence in the forest of
Arden, while Ter first interview with him
pletely surcharged alike with delicious mischievous
archness and delicatey passionate delight III his
presence. With much excellence it seemed
deprivation indeed that there should not be more
splendid vitality. brilliancy and energy to make it
felt 1t is easier to indicate the defects of this i'm
personatiOn than it is to specify the manner in
which Nine. Modjesks might repair them. There
was an an IF maturity. of almost maternal sOIci-
tude In h08glinqs first scene with OridRdO.-albeit
her first glimpse of him, with that bewitchng
visual caress, was wonderfully right and fine.
There was "a sense of cold constraint in the ensuing
scene with CeliG-not less visible because presently
broken with the intense. repressed and noble emo
ton, timely expressed, In the scene of the Danish
nenl
Thedapper tread and mincing step. though piquant
and pretty, are not what ROsdIiad has promised to
assume. Allowance has TO be made all along the
line of the work for foreign accent, cadence and
pronunoiaiio in the delivery of the text. And, as
already im ped, the personality is lacking III bCld
color and richness. subdued, twilight tone per-
vades itOvely to think about but not effective on
the instant. This RosdliRd in word is the perfec-
ton Of grace-like q ship of many -cOlored glass
which may the expert glass blowers con-
struct without effort sound. Equally beautiful
was this piece Of acting and equally delightful for
spontaneous ease of execution. Mime. Modeska
was recalled after each act, and honOred with
gorgeous floral tributes and tine plaudts of sincere
admiration. She was not all that ROsahRd is, but
she clearly enodgh denoted all that ROsaiRd ought
20 be. The woodland scenery painted for the
comedy by Yoeghtin is particularly fine in the tree
forms and ia the ystas. Mir. Gritlths distinguished
himself by "A sincere and touching performance of
.eddp and Mr. Frank Clements, Jacques, won
deserved Gppiause for his simple delivery of the
speech human life. There should be grea er
back ground Of sOrrowful experience TINS per-
formance, and more mournful makeup OF the
head and isce