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Show T H E COMPOSITION OF BALLETS. 177 elucidation of this subject as contained in part of a letter from La Harpe to Voltaire :-" I continually hear people talk of the power of stage effect ;" says this writer, " but what is really stage effect ? Does it consist of sanguinary executions ? No. Orestes, in the tragedy of Andromache, loves Hermione; he has just obtained permission to marry her, should Pyrrhus be united to Andromache ; in effecting which he appears determined, having refused to give up Astyanax, and making every sacrifice in order to get possession of the Trojan lady. Orestes is revelling in happy expectation; Pyrrhus enters ; every thing assumes a new appearance; he has been braved, and now again solicits the hand of Hermione; and, yielding up Astyanax, he even invites Orestes to witness his espousal with the latter lady. Orestes becomes motionless with astonishment, and the audience partake of his distress." This is truly stage, or dramatic, effect: it is the production of a master. H o w different is such dramatic effect as this, from that which we have mentioned above ; but which, however, is frequently applauded by the most considerable part of the public. In the drama it is not necessary to dazzle the sight, the heart must be affected. Stage effect, properly, consists of unforeseen events, sudden changes in the sentiments of the characters, and noble and extraordinary acts. Astonishment and admiration must be excited, but they should be accompanied by probability. In the last act of the same tragedy, by Racine, Orestes, after having slain Pyrrhus to satisfy the desire of Hermione, returns to receive her hand, the reward promised to his crime ; but what is his situation on being attacked by the reproaches of her for w h o m he had committed such excesses ? She accuses him of the King's death, w h o m she still loves; here is another terrible situation both for Orestes and the spectators. At the moment Orestes |
