, 1872-10-29

circular issued by the Wagner Verein Of thas
city These uniona are nov in process Of organ,
ization all over Europe, and have the double
purpose in 7iew OF promoting the great National
Festival which Richard Wagner intends giving at
Bai1euth in 1874, at which time the Nlbe1ungen
Trlogy Will, be produced, and to give the friends
OF music an opportunity, in the interest OF the
universal Development OF that art, to attend the
Festival. The first American Verein has been
organized by Theodore Thomas' Orchestrs, at
the instance OF A1r. Thomas himself, tho purpose
ofthe association being to obtain patron certtif-
Gates (patronat scheinO for the Festival, and to
defray: the expenses Of the ocean trip
there and back. The price OF a full
certificate to the Festival amounts to
500 tha1ars, Prusaian currency (about
s21o go1d). The Festival laats three weeks.
Every week is to be complete in itselt, aud dur
ing each Of the second and third weeks there
will simply be 3 repetition Of tho programme
OF the first; therefore, it is only necessary to
secure one-third certificates at the price OF 100
thalers (about $40 gold}. -:
The fact Of the organization Of this Yerelu
speaks well for. American musicians. It VAS
impossible to organize such Festival without
national contributions as it will include the best
talent in Europe, vocal and instrumental, and
employ the highest resources Of dramatic art. It
shows; therefore, that Wagner has exerted such
an Influence upon the music Of the world. that
although the Festival Fi1 be purely Ger
man and entirely inspired BY Wagner,
yet it is regarded as Al international oceurrance
in the world OF art, in which America intends to
be represented. It will be thedegelopmept Of =
new era in art, and the elimination Of Wagners
ife-aHorts. The main features Of the Festival
will be the performance of his quadruple opera,
the Nibelungen Trilogy, which will be produced
with bril1iancy in effects, gorgeousness in nc
cessories, and an ensemble, both vocal and dra-
matte, such as has never before been known in
the history Of music, The best talent in Ger
many, both in the dramatic, musical, and plastic
arts, is engaged in this work, headed BY the art
loving King OF Bavaria. It recalls in ita
scope and the grandeur OF its prepare
tions the ancient national festivals Of
Greece, and cannot help but inausurate 1evolu-
tion in music. For years, It has been the
fashion to :denominate Richard Wagner the
musician OF the future, He has lived through
all the SCOTS and cavils, has endured priyation
and poverty, and hss braTely struggled Pr
against persecution Of every description, and
now bis future ia 1t hand, sna his triumph #in |
come in 1874
The fact that Theodore Thomas hsa been tn |
pioneer IN forming Wagner Vereins in this coun- /
by will hare great influence, as no man has done
30 much for music here as he or accomplished
20 much to elevate and dignity it, and create q |
taste for good music. As matter for pleasant |
reference in the future, ne append the |
names. OF the oficars Of the first Ve1ein:
President Theodore Thomas; First Vice |
President, DR.. Ernst Krakowizer; Second |
Vice President, DR.. Fr. Znsser; Treasurer,
Julius .Hal1garten; Deputy Treasurer, ). Otto |
roussaint; Secretary, Otto Witte; Deputy Sec
Fetary, lido Braehvogel It will also be matter |
for congratulation that the preliminary steps are
now baing taken to form Verein in this city, |
nnder the auspices Of 1lr. Florence Negfeld,
With the same general purposes in view, and ne
doubt not it will meet with ready cooperation |
on the part Of al friends Of art.