The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-05

x0uJOuI0 0O0b-xuo 1uVlU-
BILE Orohesra-The "Nu-
io Of the Present"
FRANKFORT ON. THR-MAIN, Jan. II, 1872
me year 1873 in Europe promises great attractions
for the annual contingent Of tourists that England
and America send to the Ola World. First Of all
Wnl come the Vienna Exposition, and the "beauti-
ful blue Danube" VIII probably rejoice In admirers
- plentiful a. those which in other years crowded
the steamers Of the Rhine. For very select few,
however, the hitherto dead old Bavarian city OF
Baireuth, the capital Of East Francona will be the
centre OF attraction. 1t Is there, as IL now deter
mined, that the celebrated German ''musiker,"
Richard Wagner, the composer OF ''Tannhauser,"
"Lohengrin." Tristan and Isolde,n "The Mester-
singer Of Nuremberg" "Rienzi," the "Kaiser-
march," &C., intends to erect in the course Of the
present year his new Theatrical Temple for the
festal performance Of the grand operate work Of
his life, the
'RING OF THE NIBBLUNGEN,"
Q work the musical part Of which will be finished
before Easter, 1872 The "Nibelungen'' IL entitled
BY its author 'rheatrcal festal play" for three
nights and an Introductory one the four divisions
bearing the titles 'Das Rheingold," Idle Waknre,"
'etegfriedn and "G6tterdammerung." forming as Q
whole the "Ring of the Nibelungen."
Now that Wagner's once so-callcd emusic of the
future" has at last found general acknowledgment
in Germany and the composers really grand
plans appear to have every chance OF being
carried into execution, the eyes Of the entire
musical and dramatic world are centred
upon this man. who, after many years Of
struggle, has finally won such q vast
pre-eminence. Wagner, who decade ago was
riiculed by nearly the whole OF the German musical
press, and was declared by many to be ready for
lima I1N1
vanced ideas, has become king among his country
men, and his name and his projected theatre are the
themes of discussion in all the higher circles OF
German musical and dramatic society," But would
not nave 1t understood that Wagner-even after
she wonderful successes Of his "Lohengrin" at Bo-
logna and Florence-has conquered all MS enemies
In Germany for better hated person does not ex-
1st on this Continent. The most diverse opinions
st exist among the German critics as to the merits
OF Wagner as composer.
few evenings ago "Lohengrin'' was given at
tn Frankfort City Theatre, after a lapse OF ten
years. but with hardly an echo Of the enthusiasm
That the same opera won In Bologna. heard one
gentleman remark afterward that the music haa
gwen him headache; another said that the opera
was 'stuptd," while for my own part notwith-
standing the fact that the singing and acting
far below mediocrty and not at all corresponding
t0'the demands made by Wagner himself l felt an
Intense satisfaction after being so long surfeited
with Onenbach and the frivolous music OF the
lighter French school. could not get out OF my
mind the criticism Of this same opera made by
gentleman OF Bologna, that hearing "Lohengrin''
Was like seeing woman with her natural HAIR
AMONG WORLD OF CuI0NONs.
In "Lohengrin," as all his later operas, Wagner
has brought music. song, scenery and action into
grand harmonious ':musical drama,n as he himself
has expressed 1t. In contrast to ordinary OPERA
which he declares purely ne-sided and .'cor
rupted." And In truth, the majority of the operas
put on the stage in Germany to-day are wofully In
significant creations.
some weeks ago Wagner was invited by the
"Wagner Association Of Mannheim, one OF the
many societies now existing In Germany having IN
view the furtherance Of Wagner's ideas, to direct
concert given at Mannheim in Christmas
week, the proceeds of which were to
DO used In the purchase OF tickets for
the performance of the "Ring Of Nibelungen" at
Baireuth IN 1879 The composer acceded to the in
vltation after considerable reflection ; ana espe.
cially was induced to comply as recognition Of the
Initiative taken by the Mannheim Wagner Assoc.
clati0n In the furtherance OF his plans. According
TO instructions went to Mannheim IN order to see
the great musician. and 10 get from him iull In
formation about the projected theatre. Ny mission
proved in so far successful that, warmly welcomed
~ the chlei members OF the Wagner Association, l
WAS enabled to participate with that body In the
composers reception, ana TO hear from his
plans Tor the future. INV Was oV Unfortunately.
compelled 10 1orego the favor OF an especial con-
sound his brief time allotted the visit SO taken up
with important arrang ements with the association
ages-among others the Grand Duke and Grand
Duchess Of Baden-that l did not 1eel Justified In
HERALD. should. as you may imagine. have sent
my report earlier had not had good reasons for
wnss1 On taking my leave Of the com
musician, Franz List, and the divorced wife Of
Hans Won B0owb the former requested me not
me pamphlet that ne would put 10 press in few
days. Last evening the postnan brought me the
long expected worE-"Report to the German wag.
ner Associations About the circumstances and Fase
which Attended the Creation OF the Festal Play OF
the Ring oil the Nibelungen,' by Richard Wagnern
PERSONAL Al PEARANCE OF WAGNER.
the composer Is IN stature somewhat under
sized; ms constitution exceedingly unquiet
and nervous; his eyes are piercing and fiery, and
above them rises q high vauted forehead. Ot the
powerful head Of Beethoven, the clear, sunny eyes
appearance Il, indeed. not winning and We; there
n something about MIN that makes us feel that
With the directors stan IN NJ hsnd Sp the Mels ae
seems imbued with new vitality; he beats the time
hands, evincing by his movements now sasiaction.
now dlspleasure, now aud then stemming Jorte
Tor the evening and 1t was wonderful TO see with
what ACCURACY Wagner directed them. the general |
Opiniou was tnat never before mad Wagner's own |
music found VI Mannheim true expression, and the
same was admitted In regard to the classic pieces.
An excellent Mannheim critic SAID afterwards:- |
LAS all the manifestations OF Wagner's genius are |
only various rays from the same central point as |
all his works lead 10 grand ideal Of art SO does
hls directing stand IN the most perfect harmony |
Win this ideal. and c0rpOrines the same ali the |
more Immediately as we see mere the creator OF this
IDEAL IN person. who shows US the secret OF his
even IN the reproduction OF known works, which |
become under ms hands new creations"
The Mannheim Wagner Association had taken |
pdischer H0f lOr the MeisJer. number OF pr0ni
nent ADMIRERS OF the great musician being invited
Inc appearance OF wagner and MS LADY was greeted
BY oil standing. The two TOOK their places opposite
ene members or the Wagner Committee. Mrs. wsg-
0er was 10 me an
.s ExCEEDiseLy INTERESTING LADY,