The Sunday herald., 1886-12-19
AMUSE MENTS.

In whatever light considered the revival Of the
antique tragedy OF "RienZi," after "innocuous de-
suetuden OF more than half q century, has proved
the event Of the dramatic season In Washington up
TO date. In the first place, II would be dhcult TO
gather more distinguished audience than that
which literally "asssted" at Its initial rendition last
Monday night. From the President and his Cabinet,
the General Of the Army, the Supreme Judges, and
the heads Of the Houses Of Congress downward,
the civil, military, political, and social eminence OF
the country was most literally represented on every
hand. With scarce shade OF abatement this has
held good with regard TO the crowded houses, which
have applauded to the echo the generally excellent
presentation Of the play throughout the week. In
the second place, no play OF the many which have
been launched with varying success az the Na,iona!
Capital has been favored with such elaborate meth
DDS of production. Expense seems TO have been
matter of little moment, and magnificent costumes,
beautiful scenery, effective music, and every ad-
junct 10 the imagination within the Omnscent ken Of
the modern sIage-manager nave been brought 10
bear TO transport the spectator to the tronbous times
OF the Last OF the Tribunes These gorgeous ngures
OF the stately Old Colonna and Orsini, the graceful
young Angelo, the Savelli, TOrelli, Frangpani, and
The rest, might nave stepped from the canvas OF
TintorettO or a Giorgione instinct with all the
warmth and color, the vivid lights and shadows OF
that tremendous age. The splendid professionals,
the extrayagance and pomp which characterized
of the People, afford fine scope for the sumptuous
spectacular methods OF the stage OF to-day, and itB
not too much to say that II mas been amply utilized
in this admirable presentation. "Rlenzl" has 30
long been relegated 10 the limbo OF the classics, and
the amiabe soul OF Miss Mary Milford 80 long So
journed In heaven tnat criticism unwlttlngly dons
It's knowing and Taklshly-cOcked beaver IN such
presence. The play is very much the old-style
tragedy indeed, unrecved by CLEAN of humor,
enliyened by not too numerous touches OF nature,
but afiording It's hero no end Of opportunities 10
climb upon the taest imaginable pair Of tragic Hlllis
and nfe oil interminable Trades at all creation.
What with Mr.. BarTeits rather priestly caste Of
countenanCe, the somewhat sacerdoial yestmenis In
which he costumes the part, his measured utter
ance, the altar scene the church INTERIOR the smell
| OF incense, and the general fact that no one has
much chance 10 talk back at him, 1t IL sometimes
dlticut TO shake of the Impression that he Is preach
Ing instead OF acting lngeneral, however, Mr. Bar
retts RieHzi is carefully studied, accurately con-
| ceved, and powerfully rendered effort, which can
detract nothing and may add much TO his we'll
earned fame as a most conscientious, scholarly, and
Intelligent actor. In Miss Mnna GAZE he has found
leading lady who 10 pre.emlnent!y suited by nature
and training FOR such graceful, tender types OF low
ing young grhOod az Cidudid. The Juitetlke
scene at the window, and her reconciliation with
her lover after his return from Paris, were given
Will a very delicate and effective art OF the gen
eral support ii u perhaps fortunate that between
bliss Milford and her modern editor, Mr.. Steele
MacEaye little Is left iOr them 10 do than TO stand
OF move around ana look picturesque intheT hand
some medieval costumes. Mr. Wells, however, made
some iudelOus use OF mis- opportunities as the young
| COtOatG. The Incidental music by male octetie,
embracing some familiar Local faces and voices,
with the surpllced choir of boy sOprani, was an ap
! propriate aud realistic feature Of the impressive
scene In the LateraO. The fact that tnese really
| nne aud reasonably historical scenes ana their ac-
cessOrles are due 70 tue taste ana sklll Of Mr. Al
baugh's assistants, MI. s!emmer, scenic artist, and
Messrs. FilOi and Sherwood, In charge OF stage
properties aud machinery, simply goes 10 show that
some things can be donein Washington as well as
others, and viii spol us IN the matter of mise en-
scene Tor some time TO come
The Thslla Opera Company has somewhat more
than repeated at the National Theatre its popular
trumphs Of last winter. They have played at nearly
every performance " house fun Of people, aad al-