The sun., 1909-12-29
NEW THEATRE PAEYONTKE
"HISTOIRE DUN PIERROT'' WITH
RITA SACCHETTO GIVEN.
COsta's Music. Heard for the First Time
Here. Is Graceful. but Not Important
--"Cavalierla nusticana" Also Per-
formed, with DestInn a. the Heroine.

COsta's Music, Heard Tor the First Time
Here. Is Graceful. but Not Important
--"Cavalleria Rusticana" Also Per.
formed. with Destirn a. the Heroine.
pantomIme entitled "Histoire dun
Pierrot.' by Mario Costa. was performed
At the New Theatre last night for the first
time in this country. The experiment
Of giving plays without words spoken or
sung was a natural ono sor the manage
of this playhouse to try. not only because
pantomime has an established popularity
with the public that supports Continental
European opera. but also because the
New Theatres proportions make for the
intimacy OF effect essential to this sort Of
stage art.
II has always been difficult, however,
10 interest any considerable portion OF
New York's army OF operagoers in per-
formances that do not enlist singers. and
last evenings audience even with the
additional bait Of -Cavalleria Rusticana.
with strong cast. announced to come
before the pantomime. was not OF large
size
The STORY Of a Pierrot- is told in three
acts, and its heroine Ia Losisetfe, q present
day Partisan milliner, who is admired
by Pierrot and by the more artful Julof.
Pisrrots suit is accepted after an amusing
scene in which Pochinef, an elderly friend
OF the pair, teaches the bashftil Pierrol
how to make love, eliminating in a mar
rage ceremony. with dressmaker's
dummy. draped with the tricolor. Of.
fciating.
But Pierrot treats his faithful wife
With scant consideration. deserting ber
at frequent intervals. even after Louisett,
has disc,osed the domestic joys that may
be expected by showing him baby's
oap and rattle with GOV daintin eos ant
hurnor. The recreant husband gampies
away her savings and disappears. while
Julot. the evil genius OF the story. seek,
vainly to supplant Pierrot in Louisette'i
affections. Reconciliation comes at last
through the unconscious agency Of the
little son that Pierrot has not before
70 this little play Costa has written
an agreeable but not very distinguished
score. There is melody Of the current
Italian type and some dexterous descrip-
tive music clearly and judiciously orchos-
trated but OF no very marked significance
Il leaves an impression at first hearing
Of being wanting in individuality and
character.
The performance Of tho pantomims
was admirable. Rita Secchetto was the
made familiar by Conio in -Paglacci.
and she effectively disguised hec beauty
of face and figure ia the intoress of dra-
matte propriety. Miss Sacchetto's rar,
grace Of movement and expressly eness
OF gesture counted at their utmost ano
upon her every step and look. Her actine
was consistent and charming throughout
Lucette de Levin was q pretty and likoa-
BILE Louisstte and Lcdovico Sarracoo
ballet master Of the opera house.. person.
ated picturesquely the old wine mer-
Bonnglio was a lively yrlot. The stleinC
Of this little pantomime was suitable
Mr.. Pcdasti conducted the music.
'Cavalleria Rusticana,' which preceded
the pantonine. was excellently sung
Mise Destinn has always made potent
operatic figure OF Santussa. and last night
the Characteristic timbre OF her voice
and the vigor OF her acting carried all
before them. This SantHxsd was terribly
in earnest. yet not without the indispensa-
OF Miss Jeanne Maubotirg was slender and
beguiling OF voice. as well as in appear
ance. Lola Ia too often q vague and
sketchy personage, but Miss Mauboure
gave the ,'art a clear definition and o
touch Of easy sdvofr fdire, afording an
effective contrast to the strained and
passionate Sdntuxxu.
Ricardo Martin repeated his familiar
Trriddu. which might have been sung
with fewer facial distortions and was
pitched in 30 forced key that china,
was difficult TO attain, but was on the
whole commendable. Dinh Gilly was q
straightforward Alto aud his sinyin z
gave pleasure. while Misc Mattfeld. who had
sung Honsel at the Humperdinck matinSs
q the Metropolitan. was the Mona Lucia
Mr. Podesti was the conductor.