New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-02
SALYINI, ITALIAN
TRAGEDIAN, DEAD
Was Worlds Greatest
OthellO and Idol of
Two Continents.
TOURED AMERICA
SEVEN TIMES
Famous Actor Scored Many Tri.
umphs Here-Was SO Years
Old at His Death.

London, Jan. f-Tommasso Salyini,
the eminent Italian tragedian, died to-
day at Florence, Italy. lie was eighty
six years old.
Tommasso Salvini was one of the
worlds greatest tragedians. II was he
who introduced and established Shake
speare's plays In Italian drama. Amer
lean theatregoers OF the last genera
ton remember best his vivid portrayal
of "Othello" In this character he was
unsurpassed. He lived the part Of the
Jealous Moor, holding audiences SPELL
bound In the splendidly tragic climax.
The great Edwin Booth played "Iago"
during one Of Salyini's American tours.
II is said that he was actually afraid
OF tho raging tragedisn. He always
cautioned those who were 10 restrain
"othello" in his mad rush at "Isgo."
Hold him fastl" anXiously urged
Booth. He'll kill me, know IT,"
Salvini toured tho United States
seven times.
"If | were not an Italian" said the
celebrated artist recently In recalling
his American triumphs, II should wish
TO be an American. There | was well
coined like child Of Washington. /
remember when was playing In Wash
H. II 20 rtsfk h. al
Some one said In French: Mr.. Sslvini,
would you like to see the Congress
room2 As soon as entered, the meet
ing stopped and all rose TO their feet.
| was so surprised and moved that for
few minutes | could not utter q
word"
The fame of the Italian tragedisn
was worldwide. On one OF his last
tours of Europe he played In ST. Peters
burg. After the play, the public
waited outside the theatre for him I'M
til o'clock In the morning, with the
temperature at 20 degrees below zero.
The crowds then escorved him through
the street like a conquering hero to
the palace Of Prince Vladimir, where
he was a guest
Selvini was reared for the stage.
Born In Milan In 1929, he acted as
child with his father. When he was
fifteen his father died, and the young
son continued to play small parts in
the company Of the celebrated Gustavo
Modena.
"The school in which / was coached
was rigorous one" said the tragedlan
recently. while with my father did
not receive any salary. After my
l g. - "A cola On q
! day. A one-cent piece Of watermelon
was my breakfast in those days"
Salyinl deserted the stage tempo
rarily at the ago Of twenty TO fight for
| Italian independence in the revolution
under Garbaldi. He served as a cor
poral at the siege of Rome. When the
/ war was over he returned to his art,
! Joining the famous Adelaide RistorPs
company.
At the age Of twenty-seven he was
! celebrated throughout Europe. He
made his first visit to the United States
in 1873.
On the eightieth anniversary Of Sal
vini's birth the Italian people held
national jubilee. The government pre-
scented to him commemorative medal.
The city Of Rome honored him with its
key. Admirers in America who remem-
bered his acting in association with
| Booth, Boucicault and Clara Morris
cent Testimonials Of their affection for
the venerable artist.
Salyini retired from active stage life
In 1903. His son Gustayo then was the
only representative Of his branch OF
the family on the stage. Another son,
Aessandro, an actor Of promise, had
died several years before.
"I no longer enjoy acting" said the
distinguished idol Of two continents.
81 worked very hard for years, making
many sacrifices. Every human being, !
think | may say, loves TO be applauded'
When one receives salyos Of applause
and young enthusiasts leap upon the
stage to embrace one, as they did me az
Naples, who would not be gratitied
But the acting itself no longer gives me
pleasure. | am weary" :,
The death Of Salvini will be observed
with appropriate ceremonies by actors
In oil narts of Europe and America.