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New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4734, 16 August 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

It is not the best of luck for Miss Nance O’Neil that Madame Sarah Bernharrlt should have played '“Magda” just before her debut in the Metropolis. Madame Bernhardt’s recent performance at the Garrick took Londoners by storm, even though they have had an opportunity of seeing Elcnora Duse’s wonderful reading of the part. One critjc writes: —“Not ‘I am I—Sarah Bernhardt.’ hut ‘I am Mag. da" is tho keynote to her acting. And so fine is this that the character—essentially German—becomes denationalised, and comprehensibly French. Mine. Bernhardt realises the woman from the maternal standpoint. Magda’s child is her salvation, ihe weapon with which she meets Keller’s self-satisfied advances, with which she combats the iron will of the paralysed martinet Schwartz. And it was in these passages that the actress made the deepest impression on her audience.” Two new operas, both by English composers, were produced at Covent Garden last month. The first one performed was Mr Herbert Bunning*s “La Princesse Osra.” the libretto of which was prepared by M. Maurice Be ringer. It is rounded on the first incident in Mr Anthony Hope’s “The Heart of Princess Osra,” and is in three acts. The other work "is an opera in one act by Miss Ethel Smyth, and is entitled “Dr. Wald.”