Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-17

ALBAueH's. The genius of Sarah Bernhardt
was recognized in this city when she first came
here in 1881. Then she appeared in but two
| plays-"Frou From and ''Camille"-both OF
which the public was familiar with, but in the
leading characters of both new beauties and
new powers were revealed in Nine. Bern
hardts matchless impersonations. On her
second visit Nine. Bernhardt gave us the
Forge Master and Fedora" and there was
| the same revelation in her performances,
| although the roles of Claire and Fedora had
| been often seen before. Last night Bernhardt
presented la Tosca" and gave q performance
that those who witnessed it will not soon forget.
The story OF the play is well known and in
plain matter-of-fact English it is almost too
repusive for representation on the stage.
With Bernhardt one forgot its responsiveness
and saw only the love of passionate woman,
her fear for her lovers safety when they were
caught by Scdrpid, her anguish while listening
to his groans under the cruel torture of the
branding iron her betrayal of his identity that
she might save him from further suffering. her
apparent acquicscence to Scd'ptds wishes that
her lover might live. her terrible revenge upon
the villain who had caused all her agony and
her tragic end when she discovers that Scaspia
had played her false after all and that her lover
had been actually shot. In all these phases of
sentiment and passion Mime. Bernhardts act
ing was so vital. was SO full of force and power,
so true to nature and so devoid of any resort
to trickery for mere theatrlc effect that
she carried her audience completely with
her in every scene. The woman was lost in the
actress. 1t was not Bernhardt who was adj
mired, it was La Toscd. who was followed with
rapt attention through every phase OF her
daring and tragic career.
+ The wonderful elocution of this remarkable
actress, the melodic richness of her voice; its
carrying power. which penetrates the farthest
corner of the house without apparent effort;
her mobile features quick to express every
phase of emotion; her nervous energy,
which enables her to stand strain Of work
g. Ella .~l,A ,oal
frame; her complete knowledge of stage art, that
prompts those niceties of business which seem
spontaneous. although of tcourse carefully
studied and her thoroughly artistic tempera-
ment, by means of which she presents per-
fectly harmonious and consistent impersonation
these were never more forcibly illustrated than
in last nights performance. 1t was only when
the curtain was rung down at the close OF each
act that the audience broke forth into applause,
ana the brilliant actress was again and again
recalled.
Nine. Bernhardt is well supported, particu-
larly by NJ. Duquesne Baron Scdrpid and NJ.
Fieury as Mario CGrdrddOssi. The former was
the cool. calculating and brutal villain without
the responsiveness which all English representa-
tlves OF the character have shown, and the lat
ter was warm and impulsive lover handsome
and manly. Again tonight. Camille" tomor-
row night.
N.rIoNAL.-"Joan Of Are historical play
resultant from the combined work of Jules
varying intervals now presented at the Ma
honal by one of the most interesting, attrac-
tive and best actresses which America has pro-
duced; an actress who has power to almost re-
deem the play and give to it those qualities
which would make it endure, not to say en-
durable. Supported ably by NJ. Otis Skinner
and a good company. Miss Mather succeeds in
maintaining the interest through five acts and
tableau OF misery and monologue, which.
though historically correct, scarcely constitute
material for n0pular nlnv There iS
strong Z religious sentiment in this Virgin Of
Doruremy and her mission to afford the best
dramatic material. and the constant: prayers
which must necessary enter into the proper in
depreciation of Joans work CRATE harshly upon
the sensibities of those who love religion no less
because they seek its visible and audible cere-
monies In churches rather than in theaters.
There are serong ensemble scenes in the play
however. and there are times when an audi
ence becomes enthusiastic. This was manifested
last night by several curtain calls. As to Miss
Mather. she is an excellent JOAN for she pos
sesses in her own nature many Of the qualities
OF the chosen Maid and one can readily I'M
agine her to be the veritable Joan, saving that
she is more comely than Joan, whom history
says was not as beautiful even as many of her
companion peasants. And Miss Mather is
questionably not homely woman either in
face or figure. Mr. Skinner as Thibcut, the
rustic, and later as La Hire, the bluff soldier,
was especially strong. Miss Bradleys Iseuh
was well done: SO also the work of Mr.. Giles
Shine, Mr.. Smith, Miss Wright. Mr.. Kyle and
Mr.. Malone. The scene in, which HUtoich,
looking like Malta man. assaults the Maid
might well be omitted Notwithstanding it is
strongly presented. The scenery was especially
good. the burning in the last act being warmly
realistic. The chorus singing. though the
music is GounOd's, would scarcely make the
play famous. The house was an excellent one.
The MAMA CoNcERT.-The new Academy of
Music last night was filled with quite fashion,
able audience on the occasion of a testimonial
concert to Signor Mariana Mama by his friends
and pupils Among those who participated in
the program were Miss Marie Decca Mrs. J.
Esputa-Daly, Misses Matte Byrne, Annie NIL
Ter, Florence Davies. Marguerite Eichorn Ella
VanDoran, Louie Boone JEANNE Glenman,
Messrs. Aander. Rakeman, Miersch. Mcfarland,
Ryan. Epping, Wright, the Boston House male
octet and full chorus offorty. All the num-
bers were well rendered and encores we're fire.
quent Perhaps those who received the
greatest recognition were Washington Musical
Club (Messrs. Xander, Rakeman and Miersch),
Signor Mama and Miss Decca. The club has
given great satisfaction iii its concerts during
the winter, but its members never played bet
ter than last night and its selections were hap
PLY adapted to the audience. Signor Mama
well-trained and powerful bassO cantante
voice has been frequently heard
in concert since he took up his
in the trio he showed himself the careful and
conscientious singer while in the duet with
Miss Decca he proved a thorough artist. Miss
Decca completely captivated the audience.
She sang the bolero from the '.Sicilian YES
pers, "a song by Randegger and one by Taubert
and the comic duet from 'tDon Pasquale'' with
Sig. Mama. In the Randegger song. What
Are They to DO?' and in the duet Miss Decca
was heard to the best advantage, although in
every one of her selections she displayed her
excellent cultivation and her conscientiousness
as a singer She was in good voice and sang
with spirit and effect. The choruses were
well executed and showed that the singers had
been carefully and intellgently trained The
whole concert was very enjoyable, and the
satisfaction Of the large audience was best
demonstrated by the fact that the encores
heightened the entertainment until after II
o'clock.
The GEoRGErowN ORCHEsrRA.-The thirty
ninth grand concert of this organization will
take place at Academy of Music, 9th and ID
streets, on Tuesday evening, March "a. The
orchestra will be assisted by the gifted, soprano
Miss Elizabeth Hamlin Of Boston, who will
make her first appearance III this city. and
other eminent talent. This concert will sur
pass all others in artistic rendition, and prom
ises to be one Of the most enjoyable entertain
ments of the season. Subscribers will reserve
seats, commencing tomorrow, 8 am. at Metze-
rott's.