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Show RARITY OF GREAT ACTRESSES r Women Singers the World Has in Comparative Plenty, But Few. Fine Tragediennes. Interest in Ristori is revived three years after her death by the project to erect a memorial to the Italian actress ac-tress in Friuli, her birthplace. Th memorial is to contain a decorative-tribute decorative-tribute from every country in which she performed, and the recent "Ristori "Ris-tori matinee" in London was to raise funds for an English contribution. A great singer dies or retires and another is found ready to take up her roles, often disputing her supremacy while she is still In the full tide of her fame. The great actress leaves a void not so soon filled. Ristori, it is true, succeeded directly to Rachel's honors, her first appearance In Paris in 1855 preceding but by three years' the death of the French actress. But who is there to Inherit from Ristori? The stage has a great Phedre in Bernhardt and a great Camllle an A Magda in Duse. But who Is there to play Lady Macbeth as Ristori played it In an Impersonation which was the finest since Mrs. Siddons? What young actress is there whose Juliet or Portia, Por-tia, or whose Francesca, done like Ristori's at 14, gives promise of a first rank in tragic roles? Nature is generous of her favors to woman singers. Each generation has Its Malibrans and Pattis. Why-is Why-is she so chary of endowing women with the highest stage gifts? A host of women make the stage their vocation, voca-tion, a number exceeding that of the men engaged. There are many capable capa-ble actresses whose talents fall Just short of the highest achievement. But the scarcity of Ristoris and Rachels, or even of .Janauscheks and Modjeskas is in striking contrast with the comparative com-parative frequency of prima donnas of equal rank on the lyric stage. |