Scan 25
Musical Courier 1902-02-26: Vol 44 Iss 1144, 1902
123 lines. Read by computer on 22 September 2026. Printed page 26. See the scan on archive.org.
1of Minerva, with singing by the Papal choir, under direction of Domenico Mustafà. All the notable musicians of Rome were present, as were also the Society of the Catholic University and many persons of distinction. The "Dies irae" from the Verdi Requiem was sung by Mustafà in a manner sublime.
3At Florence the opera performance at the Teatro Verdi—in honor of Verdi's memory—consisted of the master's "I Lombardi alla prima Crociata."
5Torino offered at the Vittorio Emanuele Theatre a special performance of "Aida," preceded by an address and a Verdian overture played by the orchestra.
7In many other Italian cities and theatres the memory of the immortal master was honored with special performances of his operas. Lectures, addresses, concerts, the reading of the D'Annunzio poem, &c., were offered in celebration of this first anniversary of the death of the great and only Verdi.
9Celebration of Ristori's Birth.
11From commemorating the dead to celebrating the living is but a short step, a brief interval of forty-eight hours' time in this instance. And while the chronicler leaves the memory of the great man Verdi with sadness in his heart, he turns to the great woman Ristori with joy upon his lips.
13The Marchioness Capranica del Grillo, née Adelaide Ristori, the world famous Italian actress, celebrated at Rome the eightieth anniversary of her birthday on the 29th inst. Early in the forenoon the King of Italy tendered his good wishes in a personal visit to the great actress. Innumerable telegrams of congratulation from all over Italy and the rest of the world were received at her home during the day. Gifts from the municipality of Cividale, Ristori's native town; from the most gracious of queens, Margherita of Italy, fervid wishes, accompanied by a gold bracelet, studded with diamonds and the royal initials; from the Grand Duchess of Saxony, an antique vase of terra cotta with flowers; flowers and objects of art from many princely personages, from the Argentine Republic, and from many other sources too numerous to mention.
15Adelaide Ristori was a great actress "when acting was acting," as a veteran might be pleased to express himself. Though known as a great tragedienne, previous to going to Paris in 1855 to play in tragedy, Ristori's reputation was established by her representations of comedy, and not until she went to Paris were her chief roles taken from the tragic drama.
17Among her many experiences and recollections of the past is one that seemed very funny to the actress at the time. This was in America, when Adelaide Ristori played in English, with all the rest of the company in German, of which she understood not a word. In the United States the actress was impressed by the warm enthusiasm of the people and the prevalence of every nationality except the American.
19That the recurrence of this anniversary of Ristori's birthday, or so-called cradle feast, is not entirely free from a tinge of sadness will be understood when it is remembered that her husband died on her seventieth birthday. This glorious eightieth celebration cannot wipe out the recollection of ten years ago on that same day.
21The Theatre Valle at Rome presented a magnificent appearance on this great birthday occasion. The house was filled with high personages of distinction among the nobility; luminaries in the arts, in science and the professions; every person, in fact, who counted for anything in Rome and could get admission was present at this Valle Theatre celebration of Ristori's eightieth birthday.
23The private box of the actress had been decorated with garlands of beautiful flowers; the stage, too, was like a garden in bloom, upon which could be seen the precious objects and souvenirs of la Ristori—the many presents and remembrances to the celebrated actress.
25Ermete Novelli, the greatest present day Italian actor; Tommaso Salvini, the greatest of a past generation, and others of high reputation took part in a performance the program of which is herewith given. The opening piece was "Esmeralda," by Gallina, with Virginia Marini and Ermete Novelli in the principal parts. Tommaso Salvini then appeared, surrounded by the actors of the House of Goldoni, all attired in Goldonian costume. In his address of greeting and felicitations to the illustrious Ristori, the great Othello, Salvini, compared the artistic encounters and engagements of the actress to those in military history of Caesar and Napoleon; adding that she had been yet more fortunate than they, inasmuch as she had conquered also in America!
27This glorification of the Italian actress and of Italian art aroused the immense audience to unbounded demonstrative enthusiasm, with cheers of "Viva Salvini! Viva la Ristori!"
29Following this address, the last act of "Goldoni," by Ferrari, was presented, which performance the Roman newspapers laud to the skies.
31Ermete Novelli brought the program to a close with a delightful monologue of his own, entitled "Il Guitto," in which he concluded, expressing to the happy Ristori exquisitely turned good wishes, and to the cheerful audience the invitation to celebrate in twenty years the centenary—the full measure of a hundred years—of the glorious actress! "And be sure that not one of you fail!" added the actor, which called forth renewed cheers and enthusiastic demonstrations, with waving of handkerchiefs from the actors of the Casa di Goldoni upon the stage in a salute to their famous companion in her box. At sight of this the great actress was overcome with emotion and tears. Deeply moved, she feelingly thanked all present—when the vast and excited audience knew no bounds in giving vent to their enthusiasm.
33An elegantly bound album, in which were collected all the written signatures of those present in the parquet and the boxes, was given Adelaide Ristori as a souvenir of the celebration.
35In Milan, at the Manzoni Theatre, a matinee performance took place in honor of la Ristori and her eightieth anniversary. The program was the following:
37"Un Amoreto de Goldoni a Feltre" (little love affair), comedy in one act, by Libero Pilotto, the actors being C. Leigheb and E. Zago, and the ladies T. Franchini and E. Privato. The second piece was "Tecoppa Interpret," comic scene in one act, adapted from the French by E. Ferravilla and E. Cima, with seven characters in the cast. The third piece was entitled "La medicina di una ragazza malata," popular scene in one act, by Paolo Ferrari, requiring eight persons to play it. Fourth and last part of the entertainment was "Sogno de Sior Gaetano," comic scene in one act, calling upon six human beings to perpetrate the fun.
39By the express desire of Madame Ristori the net receipts of this matinee were donated to the Actors' Providential Society.
41Special theatre attractions in celebration of the day are reported also from Torino, Genova, Bologna, Naples and other places; Cividale, too, la Ristori's native town, remembered her illustrious daughter in different ways on this 29th day of January. From the German Emperor William and Berlin, from Paris, from London and from other foreign countries came tokens of remembrance and good wishes kindly expressed. Grand homage and fitting tribute from kings and princes to a queen of the drama—a goddess of the art!
43In hopes of being able to report on the success of a new opera, which had been billed for last evening performance, I withhold this letter—only to be disappointed.
45The promised new opera was not produced owing to indisposition (announced but two hours before the regular performance time) not of the prima donna, nor of the tenor, but of the composer.
47Verdi's "Il Trovatore" is now in active rehearsal at the Scala; and the Dal Verme promises "I Lombardi alla prima Crociata."
49DELMA-HEIDE.
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