Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-12-08
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
STAGE ARTS OF THE SEASON AT
THE METROPOLIS.
Hosenthai the Lion of the Hour
Great Success of Mary Ander-
sOH-Other Stars-Etc.
Correspondence of the RroonD-uSros.

Correspondence of the REcoRD-UNIoN.l
New YORK, December l, 1888.
Musical entertainments here, as time
goes on, increase in variety and import
ance. High on the list come the SYM
phony and oratorio afternoon rehearsals
and evening concerts under the leadership
of Walter Damrosch, and given at the
Metropolitan Opera House. Fashion in
dorses them, lovers of music enjoy them,
and their success is a foregone conclusion.
At the second symphony concert, which
took place last Saturday evening, the occa-
sion was rendered notable by the presence
of Rosenthal, the lion Of the day Intro
duced to the public, almost unheralded,
persons might have asked: "Who is Rosen-
thai ?' Not to know Rosenthal now, is to
argue oneself unknown. In the course of
an evening his fame was established.
Critics and the public have accordedshim
royal honors, and as prince of pianists,
he stands without rival, except Josetfy,
who, before his coming, stood alone. 1t
were needless for me to multiply epithets
of praise. There is no space; but | can
say that his playing is a revelation, and
advise all who can do so to seize the first
opportunity Of hearing him.
This week the first rendition of opera is
given at the Metropolitan, for the initial
performance "The Huguenots being
chosen, and it is noteworthy that in subse-
quent performances there is a large leaven
of other works than those of Wagner, who,
however admired by some persons, is
equally detested by others.
MARY ANDERsoN's SUCCESS.
In theatricals, Mary Anderson is the
reigning sensation. She has captured pub
lie that buys up every seat beforehand, and
stand to see her, while cold and hitherto
unfriendly critics proclaim her praise-at
least in "The Winters Tale" | know
that l am not ill-natured, neither over
fastidious, | trust, yet truth compels me to
express an opposing opinion. OF the play
itself the utmost has been made. 1t is
richly put on the stage, and all accessories
and minor details have been carefully
looked after. So far, so good. The young
woman who plays central parts is, in my
estimation, often wanting as Hermione in
pathos and power, while as Perdita she
lacks spontaneity. She runs about sufii-
GENTLY, she smiles enough-and Just here
her greatest fault is made manifest. The
smile is too perpetual; the eyes do moth
ing the difference between real emotion
and that of seeming is constantly appar-
ent, and it is a mighty one. In statue
like parts Miss Anderson is always good,
Her Galatea is always excellent, and the
same peculiar power she brings to the
statue scene in "The Winters Tale"
In an estimation of "Sweet Lavender"
at the Lyceum, must also differ from the
general view OF both critics and the pub
lie. The latter fill each seat of the beauti-
full little theater, and the former so far as
| know, write we'll of the play. l see
little of comedy in the comic parts, nor of
pathos in the pathetic, while the part of
Sweet Lavender, a landlady's daughter, is
poorly played by an actress of unattractive
physiognomy.
DIXEY AT THE STAR
Has been the same fun-making D;xey as of
old; his imitation OF Irving, irresistible as
ever, and his rapid metamorphoses, later on
in the plcv M less ap,usinu thap fo-r,