New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-06
A CIRCUS JOAN.
EQUESTRIAN OPERA IN PARIS

from TIE REGULAR coRREsPorpgxr on ru, ,v,,rv,.
Paris, June 10.
Joan Of Arc is the grand national heroine Sbo
is as much written about by Frenohmen as Shakes
peare is by Englishmen. Not week passes that
does not bring forth book or a poem or a sermon
of which she is the theme. We have her in tho
Salon and we have had her on the stage. and wa
are going 10 have her in grand equestrian opera
Of the Avenue de Palma Circus with a companv
numbering go persons. The managers who ara
getting mp this spectacle are Berther aud Houcke.
who made such Il successful campaign in London
with Olympia.
The Young woman who is 10 personate Joan 10
no ordinary circus rider She is an Italian Of
great softness Of manner and grit and an artistic
genius Her story, which she narrated 20 me, 10
this: My life so far has been all persevering
effort, disappointment and hopeful confidence IN
the future. never admitted myself 10 he beaten As
little girl was thought at the musical school
went 10 in Rome 10 be a future Grsl the quality
Of my voice was SO fine and had such natural
turn for the scene At fourteen was attacked
by Group and my throat So injured by the doctor
that | had no voice left. | then fell 10 dane
Ing, and was for sin years practising and perform
ing in Italy. II was fearful work. Being amhi-
lions, l studied pantomime, came 10 Paris and
thought | was going 10 make mark NJ TIE
Eden Theatre. But il went into bankruptcy.
Ny idea then was 10 study tragedy and follow
in the footsteps Of RiStori. ] am plain. but |
have expression and love rOhlc and sculptural
gestures. NJ. FIemct, the sculptor. saw me one
day gesticnlatinc part IN dumb show. lie was
so pleased with the sohIicty of my style. the
musculariiy and yet feminine character OF ny
figure. that he spoke of me 10 the managers Of
the Ifippodrome. Widor had composed a score
for an equestrian opera Of Joan of Arc, In fhme
acts. but they yorll not take it because they
thought IL impossible TO find heroine. II was
mart in gestures. without worls Fremiet thought
was specially prepared for it. When NM.
Berther aud TIoucyc s0v act they were OF lis
mind But did not know how Ia ride How
ever. as had nerve and will. soon got over
that difficulty
Siqnorina Lifting had roll Of music In her
hand which she had been carefully reading.
WHY do you study that, ! asked. l|cause
my gestures must keep time throughout my pan
10 the music Widor himself leads the orchestra,
on horseback. II. too. is mounted. The musicians
IN II all belong 10 the Republican Guard, when
the Government have lent rs. The saints ana
angels supposed Ia inspire me by means OF VOCAL
music aud the harpsts who accompany them
hidden IN n gallery un'fI NV ffib"i E"'"
Of the roof of the circus. ! am to have hNe
costumes Three of them are magnificent THIS
one. added the SignorLna, pointing 10 tho one
size worc. rs for rehcar sals only II comprised
n loose shirt of nlauve foulard silk. pair OF
black velvet tights black thread stockings and
boys shoes
Her figure aul carriage are perfect. She Sid
she would not wear Wig or any falls" streaming
hair. because the idea that IL might fall Oh IN
the thick of an action would deprive her of the
freedom needed for telling gesticulaton. saw
the SignOrina rehearsr on horseback JUGS
Breton, the illusiriou painter. was with me lie
was in ecstasics. and constantly made sketches IN
his notebook Joan OF Arc had AZ las' F'h
worthily persOnatcd Certainly tins circus Joan
comes as near as II - possible 10 what one
imagines tie heroic Maid must have been. Her
steel is thoroughbred and white. She manages
II with ease and grace. and is wonderful -. IN
the thick ~ q melee. she falls from her saddle
wounded by an arrow. The music = very fine,
and the vocal part ~ beautifully religious a.
though Gounod instead Of WIdor had composed II.
l.. G.