New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-02
AFFAIRS OF THE STAGE
GERMAN THEATRES AUSPICTOUSLY OPENED LOUISE
CUMMINGS TRIUMPH At CASINO IN "MARCELLE."
NEW GERMAN THEATRE.

Specialization Is the watchword nowadays in art.
as well in industry, and in the hitherto mar
rowed field OF local dramatic representations in
the German language the forces which make for
specialization are beginning 10 be felt Instead OF
one German theatre devoted TO all classes of pro-
auctions, New York is have the opportunity 10
enjoy and support two, each working along It's
chosen line. Tho German Theatre, at seth
street and Madison avenue. thrown open last night
is 20 foster the serious drama and 10 alternate pro
auctions OF classical plays and modern high class
pieces IN both the tragic and the comic depart
ments The Irving Place Theatre. long the sole
home OF the German drama IN New York. is TO give
light comedy and operettes. This division OF labor
and interests ought TO give satisfaction to those
who decidedly prefer one OF those sorts OF enter
tainment to the other. II ought also TO increase
the patronage given to the theatres by the New
York public able understand and enjoy the az
present highly thriving German drama
The directors of the theatre-Dr- Baumfeld
and Mt Eugen Burg-chose for the opening per
Torrance a romantic historical drama, DIE Raoen-
steinerin" (''The Rabensteiner' }, by Ernst Won
Wildenbr q modern German novelist dramatlst
of the first rank. The play deals with the same
period and the general conditions as Goethe 3
"Goetz 3erchlichinger," produced with strik-
ing success last year at the Irving Place Iheaue'
It pictures the decay OF the knighty order most
OF whose members had turned robbers to support
themselves and their retainers and emphasizes the
clash between these spectators and the rising ner-
chant class IN the cities, backed by the heads OF
the petty kingdoms and bishoprics- HaoeElstelIl
the feudaI lord OF Waldsten, plans TO attack and
rob the son OF a merchant prince Of Augsburg.
Bartolrne Welser who is his way to meet his
betrothed rich Nuremberger. In the fight the
knight is MORALLY wounded, and the young man
is carried into the castle also badly wounded. ne
falls in love with the knights daughter, Bersabe'
thinking her his betCothed She prevents his being
finished by an old retainer Of Rabenstein's, and
allows his hancee. who arrives with an escort 10
carr him of unconscious to Augsburg.
The struggle between his inclinatons, for Der
sabe and his obligations to his betrothed and his
pledge to his father to destroy the castle which
threatens the peace of the country is the chief
motive In the play Bersabe comes 20 Augsburg
to return the necklace which her father has taken
from Bartolme. She is allowed go back free,
but the castle is finally besieged and taken by the
Ausburgers- Bersabe is tempted b. the taunts of
OF her embirtered followers to shoot down
Ursula her rival VINO has TO the Siege. She
is condemned to be executed for this deed, but
Bartolme finds way to rescue her when on the
scaToId by invoking old law and offering 70
marry her
Miss Hedwig Recher, who formally dedicated
the theatre with appropriate sslutation TO the
audience played the title role. She is actress
OF brilliant capabilities and great promise and her
talents well suited the part OF the IN
trained and impetuous knights daughter. Mr..
NARROW highly effective the shrewd and
hard merchant prince Welser, and Nine. NeUen-
dorT charming as his natural and cheerful wife.
Newcomers in the company were Ferdinand Steil,
who played the knight; Harry L4edtke who
played Bartolne and Miss Mara Karff, who had
the smaller role Of the Nuremburg heiress It was
excellent performance OF sterling and stirring
play.
The house crowded by an audience which
seemed TO enjoy greatly the uptown sur
roundings.