New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-03
MANY APPLAUD MODJESKA
Testimonial to Actress a Success
Pddere1CSki Sends Letter.

The testimonial to Nine Modjeska at the Metro
pohtan opera House yesterday afternoon served
the triple purpose Of awakening fond memories
OF fine actress by a renewed sight and sound
of her, of affording large number of reople the
opportunity to offer her their tribute OF respect
and admiration. and finally OF gaining for her
SUBSTANTIAL gift-some $1,000 The expenses of the
performance were about $500 Including. in the
case OF the Holland benefit. rent to Mr.. CoHried
for the opera house,. and the illness Of Paderews
undoubtedly had bad effect on the attendance.
The house was far from filled. Had the great
Pohsh pianist been able to appear probably 5000
more would have been realized.
De Pachmann, taking his place opened the pro-
gramme with group of Chopin numbers. He
followed by Ada Rehan and Guy Standing in q
scene from THE Country Girl by Miss Ella Rus
sell. who sang 'Dich Theure Halle" ard the Bach
Gounod Ave Maria" and by Mrs. Patrick Camp
bell. who, in a superb Rossettian gown OF black
and gold. rected the un-ROssettian poem. High
Tide on the Coast Of Lincolnshire"
Nine. Modieska herself then appeared IN three
scenes from Macbeth" Her entrance was the sig
nal for prolonged applause. and perfect stiffness
greeted her every word Her voice fun and
steady, and her foreign accent, it seemed to many.
less pronounced than Of old She supported
by James O'Neill Macbeth Louis James as Mac
duff. by John Malone Horace Lewis. Vincent Ser
rano. and others, With such Mr.. O'Neiu
and Mr. James. with the voice and style to I'LL the
spaces Of the opera house. the great arousal
scene stirred tho audience profoundly.
After this scene Edmund Clarence Stedman. in
the absence Of Mr.. Winter presented TO the actress
a scroll bearing the of numerous players and
men and women distinguished in all walks OF life.
His address feicitUus and charming, and no
less so was the reply of BIodjeska- who again
hailed with long applause as still again after the
sleep walking scene.
David Bisphan, who also read letter OF regret
from PaderewsBi. then sang. and the programme
concluded with Act III of Mary Stuart" with
Nine. Modjeska Mary, Mary Shaw Elizabeth.
Kate Denim Wilson as Hannah and John p. Kellerd
as Leicester. These players were in Mod1esla 8
company in the parts when she put the
play here long ago.
Paderewski, who not able 10 be present
in a box, though his wife attended. admirably
caught the spirit OF the testimonial In his letter,
which follows:
For many months I have been looking forward to
May 2, anticipating Of the greatest Joys OF my
solemn occasion has been my pride for many
months. The sudden adversely OF fate makes me
feel gTieved and Inundated, and words cannot
I express all the bitterness of my disappointment.
prived of-the pride OIL belonging to the -oun-
try the same race which sent into the wide
world OF the greatest and uoblest artists
times and nations; the Joy OF being OF many to
whom Nine. Modieska had been good, kind and
generous. The first encouraging words 1 heard s
pianist from her lips; the first successful con-
I cert I had in my life due 10 her assistance.
| Unable be present l beg of you TO convey 10
Nine. Modjeska the homage Of my profound ad-
miration and gratitude and to extend my sncerest
thanks to all who contribute make this day the
day OF legitimate and crowning triumph for a
career great noble pure and beautiful