The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-23
THE FEBRUARY MAGAZINES.
"LIPPINUOTr's."

The contents oil the reDEuhIy uunDeI Vi
Lipptncotts Magazine are as follows
s'On the Pce-belt," by e. r. Leland; ''The
Marquis a story, by Chauncy Hickox, i'lns-
Pomeroy; "War Records at the Patent
Office" by Laura M. Doolittle; "Rome on
the Twentieth of September" Hathaway
Strange" story, II (Ooncu led; "Souve-
Mrs of Song" by Lucy H. Hooper; ga Trip
to Dahomey," II (Concluded), by j. w. Wat
son; almost Ghost, a story, by w. A.
Thompson; Lord Palmerston," by r. M.
Walsh; Eastern Cities, by f. w. Holland;
"Good Night" poem, by Hester A. Bene-
dict; "Irene," a tale, V (Concluded)
"Chess," by a Tenth-rate Player Our
Monthly Gossip;" Literature of the Day."
From Souvenirs of Song" by Lucy H.
Hooper, we take the following description of
the manner in which grand operas are pro-
duced in Berlin:-
In all essential points the opera in Berlin
far surpasses even the traditional glories of
the grand opera in Paris. The natural voices
of the leading performers are quite as fine as
those of the French singers, while their ar
tistic training is even superior, and the
chorus and orchestra are simply unapproach-
able in size, training, and general perfection
All the details of costume and scenery are
worthy of study, SO minutely have they been
elaborated and SO careful has been the super
vision bestowed upon them. The mise en-
scene of such operas as the Hu9ueB0tS, the
PT0phete, or William IeH presents not only
gorgeous and effective stage spectacle, but a
correct historical picture. Scene-painting
and stage-costuming seem to be considered
in Berlin as belonging to the fine arts, and to
be treated accordingly.
Let us take for example, one of the best
known operas on the modern stage Faust
was worthy of careful study, and was exqui-
site in artistic beauty. The morning light
streaming through the lattice of 'Fausts'
desolate room, the vision of 'Marguerites' s
innocent loveliness, the hustle and crowd of
the Kermesse, with its gay booths, noisy
shows, and animated spectators, were each
Incompatible in its way. Next came the
garden scene, bathed in the golden and
rose-hued light of q summer sunset
Gradually, as the scene proceeded, the
rosy radiance faded away, and n
cold gray twilight stole over the trees and
flowers and the distant spires and buildings
of the city seen beyond the garden walls
Twilight deepened into night, the sky dark
ened into dusky shadowy blue, the stars
came forth one by one, and at last the moon
rose, and the curtain fell on the embrace of
Faust and Marguerite under silvery moon
light that flooded the whole scene with SO in
shining light and dark shadows, it was almost
impossible to realize that art and not nature
was the source of the brightness that illumined
the stage.
The cathedral scene was equally beautiful
and even moro impressive. The stage repre-
sented the interior of a vast Gothic cathedral
crowded with worshippers, while far in the
distance blazed the lights of the altar, and
white-robed priests moved to and fro amid
Of ba lin
harmonies of the organ. Behind the altar
rose vast window of brilliantly-hued stained
glass: one of the upper divisions was open,
and through this opening were visible the
starry sky and the full moon, whose silvery
splendor contrasted wondrously with the
golden lustre of the lighted candles In the
foreground knelt Marguerite, weeping, re-
morseful, despairing, while ever and anon the
pillar at her side became intensely lumin ous
and transparent, and the moczing face of
Mephistopheles peered forth. In this scene
Pauline Lucca surpasses her soft-eyed Swedish
rival, though we doubt if the passionate in
tensity of her acting is as true to Goethe's
original delineation as is the crushed, sad
hopelessness of the Marguerite of Christine
Nilsson.
The WaJpurgiS Night, though less poetic.
was the most splendid of all the scenic effects
which SO charmed u.s. The scene was set
transversely, so as to give the idea of illimit-
able distance, and 1t represented gorgeous
Eastern palace, through whose arched win.
dows could be seen the glowing atmosphere
and luxuriant vegetation of a tropical land.
scape, while crowds of bright-robed dancing.
girls lowered around Faust or in the back
ground, came and went, and foated to and fro
to the pulses and pauses of the music. Sud
denly, Faust called upon the name of Mar
guerite, and in an instant the splendid page
ant vanished, and before us rose the dark
cold summit of the Blocksberg, with an un
seen moon behind it lighting the heavens will
unearthly radiance And then along the side
of the mountains gided white form with un
moving feet and stony eyes, and ghastly
scarlet ring around the slender throat
Gounod was forgotten, and the influence Of
Goethes genius reigned supreme.