New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03

sorciere" is accompanied by melodious murmur-
ing stage music by r. Xavier Leroux OF all
the Sardou dramas il is the most favorably out
lined for opera. How many weeks will elapse
before Sgnor Puccni will be hammering IT into
a score in his musical workshop? The play is
already translated into English. and IL seems
likely that when brought out in the United
States American audiences will confirm the YER
dict OF Paris critics who find that the scene be-
fore the High Court Of the Spanish lnqulsitlon
IN the fourth act Of La Sorciere" equals in
tragic intensity anything depicted in "Patrie."
''Iaine," Theodore" or Tosca." This powerful
scene affords Sarah Bernhard an opportunity.
OF which she has superbly awaited herself or
attaining in the twilight of her career a new
triumph.
NJ Victorien Sardou once confided to me in the
course Of a chance conversation one OF the
fa-orite methods OF his proceed; e. First OF
sll /" he said, when 1 begin TO write play
cudgel my brains to find the grand dominating
human situation. This being done, 1 next cast
about for the choice Of the epoch and the coun-
try. which, as the archaeological framework and
historic canvas, place my situation in effective
picturesque relief and present it vividly 10 the
public. In two three acts then prepare the
ground for the poignant situation and lead up TO
its presentation. A final act gives the logical
termination-usually death"
What is the dominant human situation in La
Sorcierep? young, beautiful. wealthy, intel
lectual Moorish woman. daughter of the learned
physician of BoabCI passionately in love with
a Castilian nobleman. is dragged before the
High Court of Inqusition a charge Of witch
craft, and confesses TO the false accusations
thereby pronouncing her own death sentence. in
order 10 save her love-. For this human situa-
ton" NJ. Sardou has selected a framework
the year 1907. when Ferdinand the Catholic
reigned in CASTLE. and the canvas upon which
The Sorceress" is presented is Toledo. during
the most ferocious period Of the Inquisition,
when thousands of Mahometans and Jews
were burned at the stake by order Of Cardinal
Ximenes. Prosecutor of the Moors, and sort
Of Castian Richelieu-
The curtain rises upon a broad. undulating
field Of wild flowers on the banks Of the Tagus
by moonlight, near Toledo. 1t seems like a
beautiful picture by Fortuny, for Nine. Sarah
Bernhard has mounted the play with delightful
scenic effect and exquisite taste. Zoraya, the
sorceress. appears with crescent shaped sickle
which glistens in the moons rays, and silently
cuts medicinal herbs. Castilian officers conduct
q gang Of peasants arrested because the body
OF Moor. hanged on a tree in accordance with
e sentence Of the Court of the Holy Inquistion
because ne had been found guilty of being be-
trothed to a Christian girl. had been removed
Don Enrique de Palacios. makes investiga-
ton. TO find who has dared 10 defy the Inquisi-
ton. Zoraya, when questioned, admits that
had the body taken down and had given 1t decent
burial. When asked why she wanders about
alone by moonlight. culling flowers. she said
that it was to make infusions for healing pur-
poses. When il is suggested that she is an
adept IN sorcery. she explained that she prac-
tlsed occult science 20 benefit humanity. AS the
captain, Don Enrique. listens to the narrative
Of the attractive Moorish girl. he becomes in
terested and fascinated. They part deeply in
love with each other-a perilous situation be-
PAUSE, Icy the royal edict lisisons between
Christians and Moors punished with death.
A few weeks later-that is to say. in the second
active hnd Don Enrique evening visit
20 Zorsya's country house. The captain Of
archers fingers until early morning Shortly
after Don Enriques departure for Toledo
yelled woman calls upon Zoraya. The stranger
is FatOurn, Moslem convert to Christianity in
the service OF the Governor Of Toledo whose
daughter. Juana. is subject 10 somnambuIism.
The sehorita walks in her sleep. has strange
visions and talks incoherently. Juana is to be
married the next day. She has como to the
learned Zoraya with her fathers consent to i'm
plore the Moorish sorceress to cure her Here
realistic scene OF hypnOtism is presented with
great effect. Zoraya Gains Juanas overstrung
nerves. The maiden goes away contented and
fully confident that she viii not have an attack
u sleepwalldng during her wedding night
Chimes from the Toledo Cathedral resound. and
Zoraya learns that Juanas hance is Don En-
TiQue de Palacios her own lover "Perady,
Treason