Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-20


two men OF exceeding prominence upon the
stage Both we're foreigners by birth and
Americans by choice and naturalization.
one the not unworthy son OF that Italian
who was incomparably the greatest actor OF
his day in tragic roles, died in his native
land after a lingering and distressing Ill
ness the nature and causes OF which baned
tho best medical skill. The other, whose in
herited genius was fostered and developed
by the artistic taste which made him in
some respects the most remarkable and
easily the most popular prestidigitator Of
modern times, answered his last summons
In his luxurious private railway car, having
played the night before and retired to rest
apparently in his usual health. Both will
be missed by theatergoers from Maine to
California. In different ways and for varying
kinds OF people their places will not readily
be filled. Thousands will feel that the world
is poorer place since the untimely passing
OF Alexander Salvini, and as many others
will be conscious, as successive seasons come
and go, that something Is wanting to their
complete happiness In the continued absence
of Hermann. the magician.
The writer enjoyed personal acquaint-
ance with Alexander Salvlni extending over
several years. His acquaintance was thing
to be enjoyed as well as to be priced He
was a charming fellow always and most com
modest in his estimate of his own powers,
seemingly unaffected by his success, talking
freely to his friends about his trials, plans
and aspirations and lending a ready ear to
those OF others He had grand physique,
inherited, with his artistic temperament
from his great father. He seemed at the
last sight of him, like one who was as Sc
cure as mortal man can be against the as
saults OF disease and death.
On the occasion OF his last engagement
here about a year ago he played Hamlet
for the first time in Omaha and among the
first times he had played 1t anywhere. me
writer found much to commend In ms I'M
personation OF the somber prince nut was
constrained to withhold praise from certain
features of it which seemed to him fatally
inadequate. Having freely expressed MS
views in this regard through the columns
of The Bee, he was a little doubtful as to
the cordialty of his subsequent reception
by Salvlni with whom he was to take
luncheon on the morrow. But no small ami
mostly fingered in that warm heart The
welcoming grip OF the hand was quite as
hearty, The hospitality as lavish, as ever
He was not quite prepared to accept wholly
the writer's estimate Of his Hamlet nor
at once to alter his conception OF the part
on the lines suggested; but he was generous
enough TO admit the possibility of improve
ment and to compliment The Bees notice
of his performance.
On another occasion the writer. happening
to possess a rather good copy of The Three
Leloir, brought it down one night to Salvini's
dressing room, when that artist was about
to appear as DArtagnan. Salvini was de-
lighted to see the book. He had copy
Just like it, he said, but h" had left IL be-
hind and was glad to have the opportunity
OF once more comparing his stage pictures
with tho drawings of Leloir.
II don't know whether you have noticed
he said. in his beautiful fluent English
which showed only the faintest suspicion OF
a tracc of foreign accent, that we repro
duce a good many OF those pictures on the
stage? For instance, this one'-showing the
spirited drawing of the four friends walk
ing off arm in arm after the first duel. tax.
ing up the whole width of the street and
carrying the swords Of their vanqushed ad-
versarles-'if we get a double call after this
act I'll show you that picture very true tc
tho life"
But the audience was small and cold ant
the actors only got one call; and, although
they We're standing ready for the oppor
tunity, they were not permitted to max
that particular picture at that particular
time.
The chief incidents of Alexander Salvini'!
life are well known. His father tried Il
mako a civil engineer OF him, but the boys
leaning toward the stage was so strong tha
the old man finally abandoned his auemp
to hide the light of his sons genius under
the bushel OF mathematics and gave him the
advantage Of his own instruction in the
actors art, Alexander came to this country
was at once taken into a. NJ. Palmers Unior
Square company, having at that time studied
English only three months and made pro
digious and rapid advancement, both In tho
acquisition OF the language and in all the
requirements of his calling. He had ne
lack of opportunities. He was wanted BY
the best companies, the most discriminating
managers He accompanied his father on tho
two last tours which that illustrious actor
made in this country. supported Margaret
Mather for n time In romantic roles. and
returned subsequently to Mr.. Palmer in the
Madison Square company Then he became
star and in that capacity he was steadily
advancing toward the place left vacant by
Tomasso Salvini's retirement when death
took him at the age of 20.
- Hermann probably enjoyed a greater per-
sonal popularity than any magician" who
ever appeared behind the footights. He
brought forward hut few new tricks and illu-
sUns from year to year. There was no need
that he should do do, since the old ones were
infalibly acceptable. He bad emphatically
"a way with him" None of his competi-
tors could equal him in charm of manner
upon The stage. Who cannot see him at this
moment In the minds eye. walking on
bris,y clad in his black court suit and
carrying his wand under his arm pulling
off his gloves as he advanced and palming
them neatly ns he reached the center? And
who cannot hear his bright mon0logue and
constant stream of humorous comment as he
performed his ineXplicable feats? Other
prestidigitntors may work he same miracles
with equal skin and may devise fresh Won
ders tor ,ho mystifying OF mankind, but
:hore Is rot likely ever again to he so we'll
beloved necromancer as Hermann.
The manager of u certain company which
has boon showing at one of the local theaters
during part of the past week. and which
by reason of its ALMOST entire lack of merit
IVES unfavorably noticed by The Bee. called
on the dramatic editor yesterday and eX-
pressed, with all the freedom which the cir
cunistances permitted. his very mean opinion
OF Omaha in general and Of the man who
noticed his show In particular.
Now this Is in no wise important. except
IN ono aspect. The opinion of Omaha and
OF tho dramatic editor about this warltc
1T CAN'T BE DONE.