The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-25

actress. playing in English with a
German support, was rather an in
congruous situation, and Rlstori
looked upon the proposition as a pre-
posterous one. But she was finally
persuaded to accept. depending upon
the expressions upon the faces of her
company and certain signals which
they were to give for her cues. She. of
course, did not understand a word
that they We're saying, and they were
equally ignorant of what she was say
ing; but the experiment was q success
fun one, and as she says. "the performs
ance was very warmly applauded, and
strange illusion-the greater part of
the American audience left the theatre
fully convinced that 1 was familiar
with the German language!"
1t goes without saying that woman
who could SO artistically interpret the
dramatic masterpieces of Shakespeare
Schiller and Racine would be equally
endowed With a critical faculty for put
ting her Interpretations into words as
well as into acting. This Ristori has
done in most charming and interest,"
ms manner. and the artistic and Dra-
matte Studies which form the second
part OF her memoirs. Will take thor
place among the most valuable mono-
graphs on the drama that have been
written This portion of the book is
devoted to Ristoris appropriations of the
great plays in which she maze her
fame. Schillel,s MARY Stuart" Ga-
cometus ''Eli2abeth, Queen of Eng
land" Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth"
Legouve's 'Medea,' Alieri's "Myrrha,'
and Racine's "Phaedra.' In these
studies Ristori gives not only an im-
personal critical analysis of her sub
jcct, but, what is Infinitely more valu-
able describes their effect upon her as
their interpreter. 1t is not the critic
alone who speaks, but the actress as
Well. We are literally taken behind the
scenes and shown the inner workings,
and it is this personal note through
out which lends a charm of atmosphere
to the Rstori "reminiscences which
would be quite impossible in a work
written by one who was merely a
critic.
on Ristors eightieth birthday (Jan-
nary, 1902 hundred theatres gave
on the same date honor to one who had
been the greatest artist of her day.
Special newspaper numbers were print
ell and medals coined the latter encir-
cled by these words; ITO Adelaide Ris-
tori, the glory of Italian dramatic art
and of the Italian name, on her eight
\. icth birthday the Minister of Public
| instruction, offers this memorial" Not
! less than three thousand kilograms
We're delivered to tho noble woman,
| headed by almost all the sovereigns of
| Europe, The government took part,
Land the Queen and King went to the
1 theatre, while the King personally Wis
| tied her in the morning at her resi-
| dence.
Ristoris death occurred Mt dawn on
| the 9th OF October, 1906. At the last
| moment there We're present only her
/ daughter, Marchoness Blanca; her ne
4 phew, Marquis Alexander and Or. Cuja
| Der head, reclining on n pillow, was
! covered with the Characteristic little
| cap of white lace, edged with black
\ silk, which she always wore at home
| and during her illness they never tool;
/ il off, Her hands held a cross; many
] flowers We're streWn over the bed "trhf
4 death Of Ristori is the mourning OF
A Rome and of the whole nation" With
these words, spoken at Ristori's grave
| tue Memoirs core to n fltting close
la remarkable record of remarkable
i artist, who through her art immortal,