The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-03
PAY HONOR TO MME. MODJESKA
GREAT CROWD PRESENT THOUGH
PADEREHSKI WAS ABSENT.

u. g. stedman Praises the Actress In .
Speech-F1OWers From Her Sons
Famlly-De Pachmann Plays and Ella
Russell sihEs-AetOrs VINO Appeared.
Helena Modjeska said farewell TO the
New York public yesterday afternoon at
the Metropolitan Opera House. The theater
was all but crowded by an audience brilliant
in appearance and heartily in sympathy
with the actress.
When Nine. Modjesla appeared In one
Of the scenes Of the first act Of Macbeth
the hearty greeting kept her speechless
for a long interval. Her triumph reached
It's height at the end Of the murder scene.
After the scarlet curtains had repeatedly
opened and closed Edmund Clarence Sted-
man appeared bearing a scroll bound in
red and white, the colos Of Poland.
The writing was the invitation addressed
10 Nine. ModjeskA requesting her TO come
TO New York for this final appearance
before her friends here. Some Of its signers
were Ingace Paderewski, Grover Cleveland
s. L. Clemens, Marcella Sembrich, Mrs.
Douglas Robinson, W. ID. Howells, Andrew
Carnegie, Seth Low, +. II. Sothen, Henry
James and Richard Mansfield.
Mr.. Stedman spoke In place OF William
Winter, who was not able 20 be present.
He referred to Mime. Mod eslca q long career
in this country and closed with a reference
TO the only time that she had ever before
acted at the Metropolitan Opera House
In these words:
Il am sure, Nine. Modjeska, that you
recall the now historic scene when Hamlet
was enacted in this place as tribute to
Lester Wallack, and when around you-the
Ophehd Of the play--was gathered a group
OF such actors as single event rarely has
brought together. Here was the prinoely
Booth, and here. Of the foremost, were
Barrett, Mayo, Florence, Nheelock,
Edwards and John Gilbert-stll without
q successor; here, too, was Jefferson, in-
comparable as the First rdpedi0geT, and,
like the rest, without a thought OF self,
but all for the glory OF the play. That
radient hemicycle has vanished Last Of
all Jefferson has returned TO the noun
tain, and we shall see his smile no more.
You, their younger sister, to whom they
gave their pride and suppOrt-long may
your enviable years flow on, consecrated
alike by the starlight Of the past and the
sunshine OF the present. For assurance
that your count ~ men hold you in their heart
Of hearts you have but TO look about yOul'
Nine. Modieska thanked Mr. Stedman for
the scroll, which she took from his hands,
and stepped to the footlghts TO tell the
audience that it was the happiest moment
Of her career, She thanked especially
Ignace Paderewsh and Daniel FrohmRn,
who had arran ged the details Of the tesu-
monial and she finally appeared on the stage
alone to receive the only two tributes out OF
all those sent 90 her that were handed to
the actress on the stage.
One was a laurel wreath bound with
ribbons bearing message from every
member OF the family Of her son Ralph,
who was present in a box. The other was
a wreath of laurels and orchids tied with
Polish colors on which were engraved in
Polish the words ITO the great artist and
my dear oompatriOt, Helena ModieskR.
From Maroela Sembrich.'
Mr.. Paderewsh, who had organized this
tribute for his countrywoman was too i'll
when he arrived yesterday morning 70
come 10 the Opera House. He was repre-
sented by Nine. Paderewsld who sat In
box, David Bispham, after the last scene
from Macbeth read letter from the
pianist. in which he said:
The pride Of belonging TO the same
country, 10 the same race which sent into
the wide world one Of the greatest an
noblest artists Of all times and nations;
the JOY Of being one OF many to whom
Madame Modjeska had been good kind and
generous. The first encouraging words /
heard as a pianist came from her lips: the
INST successful concert ! had in my life
was due 10 her assistance. Unable 70 be
present, l beg you 10 convey TO Madame
hodjeska the homage OF my prof ound
admiration and gratitude and 20 extend
my sinoerest thanks TO all who contribute
TO make this day the day Of legitimate and
GROWING triumph for a career great, noble
pure and beautiful
Vladimir de Pachmann played in place Of
the Polish pianist. Nine. Ella Russell and
David Bispham sang. Ada Rehan and
Guy Standing, in a scene from The Country
Girl opened he dramatic part Of the pro-
gram, and Mrs. Patrick Campbell recited.
Nine. Aodjeska's associates In the scenes
from "MRcbet h were James O'Neil, Louis
James, Barton Hill, Horace Lewis and Mar
guerite Ellington. The program ended with
the third act Of MARY Stuart, In which Nine.
ModjeslSa had The assistan Of Mary Shaw,
Kate Wilson, John Glendenning and John
+. Kellerd.
The receipts amounted TO more than
$4,000.
Mr.. Conried objects to the charge that he
did not help out the committee. i Jet them
have The theatre, he said, at the small cost
Il IL rented for all chart able entertainments.
told the committee that any OF my artists
might sing, and after Nine. Sembrich was
compelled TO leave for Europe suddenly,
even spoke to Nine. NoTdicas manager.
II my ant lists did not sing, Il was because
they were on the ocean. They all had my
permission
MUSIC INSTITUTE PLANS.