Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-01-31
m usSo AND THE DRAMA.
The Lady Macbeth of MRS. LangtrS
Now Rosnilnd Way Crisiciscs al

HOsv Rosniind Way Crisiciscs tfae
ssJcrsey Ltly's'' appropriation.
special Correspondence OF Gazette and journal
NEW YoRK, Jan. 25.---A full house and
an affeotiouate greeting was accorded
Nine. Lehman on her appearance this
week at the Metropolitan Opera Building
in ia Juiye." From the boxes flashed
an extra radiance Of high priced jevelry;
1t shone upon an audience prepared to do
its best in welcome and 30 the singer
found Il. Nine. Lehman Ia certainly Mr..
Staunton'B trump card. Bettsque aud
Foshstroen, though both young and
pleasing, make no pretentions to great
ness and Morsn-O lden, though often
great, is not always pleasing, by reason
OF rough hewn presence. Ltlli Lehman
is tho one singer who combines beauty, a
fno voice and dramatic power and the
reception given her, correHponded with
the general estimation of hor giits. An
exceptionally interesting concert hos
been recently given at the Metropolitan
Opera House by the Symphony socisty;
| tbs music in large part having been Rus
sisu and the performance won uustinted
praise from critics.
MRS. LANdrRY As LADY MACBETH,
Swallow tails and dress bonnets turned
| cut In fall force, on Mrs. Lanetry's first
"Macbeth" night. Impecunious sight
seefs stood mt the rear or crowded The
gallery, and all were ns indulgent TO the
| LILY, ps au old grandmother is 10 the one
pelted graudchiid. Why else did they
persissoutly call hsr befcrs the curtain
and applaud her efforts perhaps because
I those efforts were 20 childish. at any
1 sab. har afr urxiaa fa attain tlao
\ tainable, were not rebuked. Doubtless
moreover, the evidences Of sincerity on
Mrs. Langtry's part, carried With them
on innate influence. We are not apgry
| with the little one when it stretches iu-
fantins arms to grasp the moon; wesmile
at the delusion and pat the baby's young
chick. People say that the eneae.
| ing woman before them, was max
ing real effort and they
forgaye her. Now aud then too, she did
succeed, notably in reading she letter
from Macbeth. This was good piece OF
work. showing evident feeling and not of
all sssgy. Nor can IL be snid that she
was STACY elsewhere Her acting was
natural and gave not the idea OF mere
acting. But 1t was not an imperaona.ion
of the right order. When she urges her
husband 10 murder, her manner Of doiug
il is that Of an iiI-goysgnei child vino
threatens, In order to have its own way;
when she dsclaims horrid resolves, abe
bat escapes q pout, and when she'cllnas
to Macbeth's shoulder aud, in o Wiley
way, andeavors 10 win him, IL is with the
colt persuasion of q soft hearted
woman, not the momentary RELAXATION of q
strong nature So In the ban,
quet scene, whei ROBBED as o
queen, she tries to sway those around
her, there is bat the shadow OF command
nor is there greater substance in the
effort of rousing the king back to him
seIt In the sleepwslking scene, sho
hrevely dlsigurss herself that abe may
be haggard and her lines are carefully
given. Bat the ring of the true metal
is Except In reading the letter. nowhere.
Yes when before the curtain, she smiles
beautifully, and looks appeRlingly, whero
vas the man SO eallous as NOT TO please
her al the expense OF few thumpa, And
then that smile A really beautiful one,
aud not meaningless, but throwing glad
light over the entire face. Let it more.
ever be written, that beautiful smile In
one Of heavens choicest gifts, not to be
counterfsited, nor attained by pIsstioe.
4 Nv cVuchteu pttt'hk VI Nho AlPs cHn give
lit; like che expression OF the eye, II
must be done BY nature only, and must
evince the genuine prompting of soul.
Co3hlnn as ''Macbeth" came we'll up Ia
his part, showing much facial power
and eyinc.ng often deep feeling, both in
tone and attitude. Joseph Wheelock as
"Macduff," was good, of oonrse, and
warmly appiauded by the house. Tbs
play was fairly we'll put on, but not to m
extraordinary degree. Mrs. Laugfry'a
beauty was msrred by unbeaoming
dresses of the flowing order, with long
mantle, falling backwards from her head.
Exception, however, must be made to q
magnificent robs and train worn as the
queen, and in which she was careful to
make an effective picture, both alone and
Gith the richly. habited king beside her.
The contrast presented by the smaller lace
mantle 10 excellent, while the gorgeous
train of gold aud crimson is in unison
with the bluzine bodice and handsomely
embroidered skirt. RosALIND MAY.
I