New-York tribune., 1907-03-23
THE DRAMA.
sIGN0R NovELLI AS CONRAD.
"cIVIL DEATH"


Giacometti's play called La Morte Cive,' made
known here in 1873. by Signor salvini,-who gave
picturesque and deeply affecting perform
ance OF its central character,-was revived last
h'sit at The Lyric Theatre, SignOr Novelh ap-
pearing as the escaped convict Conrad.-cr Cor
Iauo as he is called In the italian. That unfort-
uhate and afflicted criminal has for act OF
homiclde been sentenced to Imprisonment for life.
ana, accordingly although now free, his condition
- thae OF person legally dead: hence the signih-
canoe OF the title Of the play. He is returning TO
ms FORMER home. In Catana from which he has
Oeen fourteen years absent, with the purpose Of
Ilolhg MS Wife Rosalia. who has become a gov
eihess IN the service OF a worthy and kindly
physician DR.. PalInieri. This good man has
aoopted the daughter as his own-changing her
name from Ada to Emma and providing for both
hother and child a secure refuge at his home In
ahother town Of Calabria The arrangement is one
OF absolute innocence and propriety: but in
Tolerant malicious ecclesiastc. Goacchino Ruvo,
chooses 10 assume that the relations OF RosaLa
ana Dr. Palmieri are immoral, and that Emma.
now well-grown girl. is the Doctors daughter.
porn OF his mistress The clergyman intrudes upon
the Doctor makes his sanderous accusation, and Is
repeHed with dignifed resentment. The outlaw.
Conrad in the course of his weary homeward
journey, seeks shelter in Ruvo's house and there
by chance meets an old friend. Don Ferdinando. to
whom ne relates the story OF his misfortunes. and
from whom he learns Of his wifes position. Ruvo
becomes possessed OF the facts IN the case and
prompts Conrad to claim his wife. Many painful
colloquies ensue Rosalia though willing to rejoin
her husband, is wishful to save her daughter from
SAD change of circumstances. and she assures
Conrad that Ada is dead An explanation occurs
between Conrad and Pamieri. and the miserable
convict. torn by conflicting passions. is finally
forced to choose between avowaI of himself to
his daughter a REIMBURSEMENT of his position as
father. The effort proves too great for his
durance: and, In a scene Of excessive misery he
collapses and sinks TO death.
The action of this Is epad md lad
with an excess OF explanatory conversation. so
that theme intrinsically sorrowful becomes al
most intoerable with dulness. The plays OF Gia-
cometu, evincing much industry and little else
are exceedingly pTolix In this one the preparation
Is inordinate; notwithstanding that Signor Novell
has mercifully somewhat reduced its copious YER
biage The ethical design 20 signify that there
is no escape from the consequences Of sin. Con-
rad is image of remediless suffering. The
stress is laid almost exclusively pathetic stua:
ton, but the play is halfway over before the
pathos is reached. Emma does not know that
Rosalia is her mother. Palmieri loves Rosaa but
conceals his love. Rosalia, If she goes with Con-
rad must be parted from her child. Conrad. when
he talks with Emma. IS frantic with impulse to
avow HIS paternity. but. dearly loving her and
clearly perceivinS that her welfare enjoins the
retention of his secret. he maintains that sacred
reserve. Sgnor Noyelhs performance is pict-
uresque. capable, iluminative of nature that is
ImpetuOus passionate, suspicious. bitter and fierce
His aspect is eloquent Of hardship penury. and
abject physical suffering In Conrad's first inter
view with Rosala his denotemcnt OF jealousy is
effective with dangerous menace To the effect OF
the pathetic passages he does not largely contrib
ute mostly they take of themselves. His
presence. however. is formidable the outlaw
now ferocous and now despairlug and his expira-
ton grleyous and pitiabe. In the person OF sal!
vini (whose embodiment of Conrad It Is impossible
not TO remember). this character was not only
raised TO an inexpressible height OF pathos. bu,
was made innately magnaHlmous In the person
~ etgnor Soveu II is more forlorn and wretched
than II is pathetic: It shines by it's hard and haFsh
qualities: It is powerful rather than lamentaoie'
and its primal essence seems rough. But II is a
remarkable piece of acting, especially FOR It's
copious mnute of pantomime The aHNiiiaF paris
We in general sknfuly played Tho house was
densely crowded and signor Novelli was repeatedly
cheercd.