The New York herald., 1872-12-15

Mrs Wagner. The impression made upon me by a
recorded in my note book :-'One lorgets, after
conversing with her. the gossip about her earlier
pscI as sns she speaks English and Frencn uenty
her words dow in an uninterrupted stream, and she
is very earnest when explaining her husbands
views and plans to her visitors. She appears to
form an essential part OF the composer, and has
become necessity to his existence. From her he
relieves Wagner OF many burdens placed upon him
by social requirements; she cheers him when he
Is exhausted; she lives for him, not for herself
wAGNER's HOPES
wagner did not take part in the conversation with
any degree OF interest until 1t was carried on In
the German tongue. He then spoke with great
earnestness about his ideas and plans, ana re-
gletted how few people had been able to under
stand him. Even in Germany, he said he had
own personal friends. lie was very curious to
know the reception that his music found In
order for two tickets for the Nibelungen perform
ances. He spoke at length OF the services OF the
Hon. G. Bancroft to German literature and Of
his frcndllness to Germany. He wished that, as In
science, literature and general progress. 80 In the
department OF music, America and England might
go hand In hand. He lamented the low condition
OF the German universities. and especially OF the
German opera. q Frcnchman comes to Germany,
he said, what does he find His own operas; but
given much worse than in France. 4 did not ven-
ture to speak much of American musical matters,
the more SO as thought it judicious to keep 81
Of ae sFa sSon then IN
that he would have at present few supporters for
his -, Nibelungen performances. but these
portion Of our people 'rhe mors." he said. S'si 4
trust to persons IN your position, who appear to
aid me or iniurs me- he added; ali that is needed
else but lew oan GET at tie IDEAS that innuenoe the
traces Of insanity were to be observed then; and
am inclined to think that Wagner's recent actions
ss % ssf nsa as
doctor. Wagner's last work on "Actors and Sing
ers" Is . remarkably sensible book, but acts upon
and sngers-.like red rag upon the nerves Of
farm yard bull.
Wagner's sanity was proved few days ago by
little incident that occurred at Mannheim where
he has an army OF very enthusiastic admirers, led
s Msr o ys snsess s
for his Bayreuth theatre, and on this mission ar
rived ss Mannheim . few Gays ago. He there at.
annoyed @ q the %usiIations Of the "as Original
For ea @ s tae IN
Wagner is, think, perfectly justified, since it is
fact that in all German provincial theatres where
mutilated form as to be almost unrecognizable. A
German theatre public, outside OF Munich, Vienna
ton The old parcan n ctZens o some large
cities take Frankfort for example) have grown
into certain routine habits, ana woe to any one
who should attempt to disarrange them. Dinner
at one, coffee at four and supper at halfpast eight
or nine, by which time the potato salad
gories OF scenery beauties of sound la .'Lohen-
GRIM or 'Tannhauser" would not drown the
cravings OF Herr Philister's appetite. have seen
an old Frankfort patrcian get up from his box
after concert was two-thirds over and leave, de-
claring that his salad would be waiting for him at
home. 1t Is the same spirit evinced In different
intensity in various cities, that theatre managers
and music directors have to give way to, and
against nn which Wagner CO contends ae demands that
lated. as he wrote them, and with all the scenic
appliances that ne considers absolutely essential
for complete illusion, together with the best must
cal and instrumental force that can be procured.
Not many days ago he protested against the per-
formance OF his wondrous musical drama, "1ris-
tan and Isolde" at Berlin, as the Kaserstadt does
not possess the singers capable OF carrying
through the principal parts OF that opera. Since
there has only been found single couple per-
fectly capable OF personating Tristan and Isolde,
who are required to sing .uninterruptedly for
space OF over four hours. Herr and Frau Vogl, OF
the Munich Court Theatre, as If created to fill
Wagner's ideal OF these two heroic legendary char
acters. Berlin has no such singer couples at
present, since Lucca has left for America, Frau
Malnger Is at st. Petersburg, ana Nemann
and Betz are without adequate female support, un-
less Fraulen Stche, who leave Munich for a star
ring engagement at the Court Theatre OF Berlin,
can fill up the vacancies
THE BAYREUTH THEATRE
Festal Theatre is progressing ayorably Money
flows into the Nibelungen treasury steadily. The
various Wagner societies have sent In large sums.
Vienna has gathered a sum OF 10000 guilders and
promises to make the amount 100000 Mannheim
has sent In 5000 f0rlns Munich 10000 while Bcr-
lin has done little or nothing. The Sultan of Tur-
key has bought ten patrons tickets, representing
q snug sum Of 5000 thaers-a complete patrons
ticket costing 800 thalers. Lszt and Won Bulow
are giving concerts in various cities Of
Germany and Austria for the beneft OF
the Bayreuth enterprise, and to the same object
will be devoted the proceeds Of q represent tatiOn
of the "Mestersinger" at Munich. The sum
needed BY Wagner represents q quarter of
already subscribed. WOrkmen have been engaged
on the foundations OF the theatre Tor some months
past; the foundation walls are laid and the con-
tracts for the superstructure will be given out in
few months. The plan OF the theatrical ediflce Is
now determined Externally 1t will be q very un-
assuming structure The walls covering the
audience will be run up OF lattice work that
covering the stage will be built OF stronger
material but without Ornamentation To compen-
safe for the plain exterior, however, Wagner in
tends to spare no expense In the scenic decorations
for the stage and in the interior arrangements for
the comfort OF the spectators. The length OF the
theatre will be nearly 800 feet and the width IN
cluding the side WINGS nearly the same dimensions
The auditory Will contain 1900 spectators and the
space allotted to 1t is terrace-lfke, shelving down
to the stage. The front will be very plain, the
entrance covered by simple roof borne slight
pillars. Four large water towers or reservoirs are
prominent feature on the part devoted to the
stage. The stage will have breadth OF 95
feet feet and q height Of 70 feet, the space
The orchestra will occupy It's accustomed place
between the stage and the audience, but will be
invisible, being thirteen feet lower than the podium
OF the stage. The opening OF the stage filled out by
the curtain is 45 feet broad and AZ feet high. The
interior arrangements of dressing rooms, bureaus
and rooms for princey guests will be very CON-
plete. Liszt paid Wagner visit q few days ago
at Bayreuth. when the two overlooked the labors
OF the wOrkmen and discussed the feasibility OF
plans and improvements.