The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-25
SALVINI ON ACTORS.
Many Opinions of His Contemporaries Ex-
pressed in His Memoirs.

pressed in His Memoirs.
Alexander Salvini has written his memoirs
and they will soon be given to the world. No
feature Is likely TO be more interesting than his
opinions Of his contemporaries. OF the great
actors OF the time Salvini has written with I'M
usual frankness. Among his countrymen he
places Ermete Novelli and Claudio Leigheh at
the head and omits the name Of Zacconi. He
calls Sovelli an uncommonly intelligent and
conscientious actor. who can observe and por-
tray in the finest manner possible the most
varied types OF character. He describes him
as q comedian OF wonderful versatility. capable
Of portraying the weaknesses and humors Of
the human character as no other living man
can. Salvini concludes his analysis OF Novelli's
art with the statement that Novelli is the
greatest comedian that he has ever seen.
or the well-known Italians he remarks that
they are far behind their predecessors in the
point Of technical method. and natural talent.
greatly inferior to Modena, Ristori and Ernesto
Rossi. ,Ho does Justice to the talents Of the
actors. but Is positive in the assertion OF their
Eleonora Duse is entitled to a higher rank
He declares that her art is purer. admires ali
her excellences.. and concludes, with, the sur
thinks that this will be due to the first mani
festation OF age. as well as to the extremely
IUllIeu TeIbTIDlTc WHICH she HctS, BalVlnlS
principal objection to the French actors is their
adherence toe. strictly to tradition. He thinks
that Mos4 iSnt 4 Y S mnoss,6 50 f %pG Gtm from % m nsr,
he tRs!e ssS' he use says 81 that nis 3 8Gsns taiGPSS' is Almost Almost
sontemporary actors. 1t Is to q" GoqueeiIn that
ne Glve a. the csi gf r n 4 4bPp praise mise Of lt ali the French nH9 h.
teresting actor that the French stage possesses.
OF speech who never fails to give every word its
IIIl IN A N 0 md a nnUns nNln III -
a ri i or To SeH "TRrouEh a look ct'e pr
gesture he can suggest an entire situation" Is
praised throughout with an enthusiasm that
seems extravagant. Sarah Bernhardt In
VISil but r 6er classical LeSStyGiS pesr lesI pra,ss w YfSI1 Gia aiI
to Interest him. He illustrates this by an anec-
dote concerning her; -,
writes. " | returned to Italy by way Of Paris and
saw the announcements that Sarah ,BernhaEdt
Maid Of orleans. "G%Socttoreed to suit { French taste,
In my travelling dress, / Went into the theatre
trusting that my presence would not be- dis;
had sye5i sSnS into he theatre. + i"1 wa! !
r a real cpnccptIon 2, the ,c'kfSTsetsr: Of
ton which inhamed the maiden, 1t lacked
which sSayorsd q bp%riesque, As I sat olsen
chanted. disillusionized, In my seat word came
that Nine, .Bernhardt wanted TO SPEAK, TO me, |
would willingly have given 500 francs If ] could
have concealed myself. went into her dress-.
inG room. She had most OF her company gath
cred about almost as il she had arranged them
to hear my testimony to her greatness. What
was l to dol. After some ordinary CONVERSE
ton / made the sacrifice. and for the first time
in my life lied about my art.
NINE. Sarah / said. you are always adj
mIrable. IN your role tonight you were sim
members of her company: 'Messleurs. / pre-
sent to you tho master Of all OF U.s."