Theatre Report from Bozen

Appendix.

Art.

Botzen, 31 Dec. 1828. We now have a theatre here as well, defying perhaps any of the most renowned in Germany. For whatever we hear of new manners and supernatural exertions there, we have it all in the superlative here: such as a peculiar emphasis by which the actor, with free genius, reshapes not only the meaning of single words and entire sentences, but often whole scenes; a grand chirping that strives so thoroughly to swallow individual words and expressions into the stream of speech that one can no longer even recognise their dragging everyday tone; attitudes superior to anything we have hitherto had occasion to eavesdrop from passion or even madness; and finally, an obstinacy in costumes that not infrequently brings two centuries onto the stage at once. That is indeed more than the most reasonable could expect. We will not weary anyone with an enumeration of the individual male actors, for we must declare them all equally fine, and the Goethean:

“One thing suiteth not all”

has suffered an exception here, for with admirable versatility every one of them knows how to adapt to every possible role.

No less credit does the choice of plays reflect upon the director. We see nothing but new and only the most excellent plays, such as by Deinhartstein, Castelli, Vogel; and indeed, favoured by two muses at once, the actor Mr Rabenalt presents us with works from his own prolific poetic pen. Two laurel wreaths on a single head are too much for so modest a head! —