New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-11
SALVINI AT PALMER'S THEATRE.

The farewell American tour of the famous Italian
tragedian Salvni begun at Palmers Theatre
last evening in the presence OF an audience WHOSE
enthusiasm was so intense and demOnstrative mat
It seemed rather to belong TO an assemblago OF
Latin race than Of the comparatively cold and
obdurate Anglo Saxon. In every way 1t was made
evident to the great actor that NewYork was grateful
for the opportunity of seeing him moro in the
parts in which he has achieved his memorable
triumphs. No signs of age, no ravages OF time
gnawing TOOTH could be discerned in the personality
of this prince of the stage there was no impairment
of resources, diminutlon in power no rift III the
symmetry of his art. His voice melodious, as
rch as full of yOre. And his acting OF inc
part of Samson" in the play written for him by
Ippoto D'Aste was as grand and noble
as 1t was sixteen years ago. This drama
was seen on the stage Of the Academy
Of Music on November 10 1873 and 1t then produced
deep impression. salvin was supported at that time
by an italian company, and all the words were
spoken in Italian. But now, has been his custom
I'm recent American tours, the members Of HIS COM
pany speak English while he is heard in Italian.
william D. Howclls made the translation from the
original which is used for the book of this play and
II IS of course needless to say that 1t is thoroughly
well done
Sixteen years have not efaced the memory Of the
laIrrels which the famous Italian gained upon the
boards of the Academy in this strong, wellconstucng
familiar to every one from childhood. The novel
feature of the treatment of the character Of Delah
who Is here portrayed woman who had slnned
much but who IS sincerely in love with Samson. lie
has won her heart after her erring years. She IS
cajoled deceived and enrapped into the betrayal Of
Samson not intending to do him last
ing injury. when she discovers that she
has plunged him into irredeemable degradation
and torment she suffers the acutest pangs of
In the first act of the play, in passage OF thrilling
force and eloquence Samson recounts his destruction
Of the lion. Savini uttered the burning words of the
text with such richness and beauty of phraSng. and
with 50 genuine earnestness and strength that the
house I"Sounded with storm Of applause. Never
was q great actor whose massive frame, colossal pro-
portions tremendous thews and snews and imperial
mcn moro swiftly suggested Samson. And not in
these times has IL been given to Americans to see or
hear All who could give voice to such words as
a Samson might utter with the fury and Intensity
which Salvnl pours into them. In the terrible
denunciaton and defiance Of the PhilstlneS
I'm the second act, before he scatters them
like chaf before the gale, he seems
70 tower above his natural lofty height and even the
bodcst Of his enemies might well cover before him. In
act third appears the softer side Of the heros being lie
expresses his passion for Delilah IN blazing wofus
and fierce caresses, until he sinks INTO nor arms III
languld surrender her wttchey lie yields TO her
wiles gives way to temptation and betrays the secret
Of his strength.
Yet in this play the direct instrument of Phlistine
vengeance unon Samson is not Delilah, but Mecah.
whose son samson had slain. 1t IS Mclean who shears
the locks Of the drunken giane While he Is drowned
in vinous stupOr, and II IS she who calls In his
enemies. In act fourth samson "ahens III the
presence of the hostile host, only TO ma that his
strength IS gone and he is prey to his
merciless foes When he realizes that It IS
through his weak Welding to Delilah's ent"ac' that
th, calamity has come upon him. he heaps upon her
detected head the most blserng curses that HIS i'm
aginaton can conceive and his Ups can frame. 30 |
frcnzled was salvni in the awful passion OF this
scene, so enthralng was the spell tha he had cast
upon the audience, that many OF those VINO heaIu
him sbrank and shivercd under the tempest of his |
wrath In the final act. his misery, his agony. his
rcmorse are beartrendng Pathetic and melancholy |
beyond deniclon was the fallen leader Of his people
the man who had put armies 10 nlgh'' d nc sd' Oh
the steps of the Temple of Dagon. IN Saves mean
garb, and bound with chains. But as he reflects
on HIS wretched estate, and mournS his fallen
greatness his thoughts turn to the Goa OF ADfaham
Of Isaac and Of Jacob and he prays to Jehovah tha
his strorctb may be restored that he may bring
des,r,c,in ,non the enemies OF the Lord. His
STRENGTH docs come back and With marvellous cxer
finn NJ vrtbinr muscles and stralnng shows, he
bursts his fetters. After snort scene with DcilSh
and with his father Manoah, samson Is lett alone at
the entrance of the Temple Of Dasen within which axe
anus va meals 10 the God Of Israel and is
flied with increased strength He pushes apart
the great twin pillars "1 WV ,iu ''' i''i VI Io
TIE progress he play last oT Psat Tn' an nnSren
I Va VI dignity in canic fury, I'm the
hcsS hatred Of macdcton in the pfn ioromncss
t ,i @ IONS and tho most portentOus changes
that human nature endure, and he was mighty in
e~err n'pad where pOwer required and touching
rbeSin. natboS was suitable. This was acting To
member. Ia. ,,hoso d,roc,i,,, ,hIs fam -,
caiit a. arricd on has brought together excellent
company 10 support the TRACE Han Miss May Brook.
rn a. Eoliab was so successful that she was called
gain and again before the curtain after the close OF
tie fourth act In which she trample' under foot the
cold and Jewels OF the Phlstnes, and wildly accuses
herself of the blacklist infamy In betayng Samson MISS
Trooyn was so strong and effective IN this scene that