The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-22
A NJ U s E NJ E N rs.

"Lohengrin" - The Coming operate
Event-rhe Representative Work of the
Music OF the Futurc-The Legend Of the
Holy Grail.
The most interesting feature OF the present
operate season Will be the production OF Richard
Wagner's opera, "LohengrIn," at the Academy OF
MUSIC to-morrow evening. Although 1t has been
given frequently at the Stadt Theatre IN German,
yet the grandeur OF the arrangements for the
forthcoming representation makes 1t an entire
novelty. 1t is the best exemplar we can have of
the much discussed and much abused emusic OF the
iutuie." While postponing TO the proper time
critical analysis OF the music we place before our
readers the story OF the opera:-
In the early part OF the tenth century King
Henry OF Germany. having occasion 10 levy an
army, visits his princpality OF praDant to obtain
recruits. On his arrival at Antwerp he hnds tue
uuKedom IN state Oh anarcOy. consequent on the
mysterious dlsappearauce OF tle youthful Duke,
the accusation o! murder against ms sister LISA
anu the usurpation OF the ducal authority by his
appointed guardian, count Frederick OF Terra.
mund, who lays Claim to tne title on account OF his
vile Ortrud, sorceress, whose malignant dis
position is III some respects the cause OF what en-
sues: me hng and has retlnue encamp by the
moned na a'e poo es s has count
Frederick charges Elsa with the mlr-
Ger Zinc OF nrom ner 6rothei MS We Ortrad
Elsa, aud wnen she appt ars the King questions
her regarding the crime OF which she asserts her
u
trial by comoat Is then agreed upon between
Frederick and any Champion who may espouse ner
cause; but when the suInlocs Is made no one APP
pears. IL Is repeateu STILL no one comes, ana the
populace begin TO think that Elsa is justly charged
VITA the crime wnen she Snees down and prays
to heaven Tor ner champion, whom she has
previously seen III a vision. AS she prays
Lohengrn is seen approaching on the RIVER
eness landing IN ses M h
He advances to the King and announces his inten-
ton Of becoming Elsa's champion, conditionally
ti.ntc hn mall Ia n
or whence he came. The promise is gladly given
ana the combat Is then begun between MIN and
VIII Who ves 0 INN his HI e hs vcop
Or the victor and Elsa the greatest enthu-
s1aSm, ana as the curtain falls they are borne or
triumphanty on the shields OF the soldiers.
The second act opens with grand duet between
Frederick and Ortrud, wherein he upbraids her
LOT her sorcery aud bad advice, which have
caused his disgrace: but eventually he succumDs
TO her wiles and becomes willing tool to forward
the revenge sue medltates on Elsa. Just then
Ortrud IN deep DISCRIMINATION, asks pardon Tor
herself aud her husband vince Elsa freely grants,
ment against the Count. The preparations for
E.sa's marriage with Lohengrln now moved for
ward, but at the door OF the church Ortrud mpedes
the way oil Elsa, While Frederick boldly charges
the unknown knight with sOrcery. These charges
are not regarded by The KING, who orders the ex-
puision OF the wicked pair, though not before
Frederick has planted the suggestion in Elsa's
mind to ascertain LOnengrins name. The mar
riage procession then enters the church and the
curtain falls.
At the opening of the third act the audience is
shown the nuptial chamDer OF Lohengrin and
| Elsa, who receive the congratulations Of their
| trends and are afterwards eit alone. Then the
seeds OF suspicion planted in Elsa's mind begin
to sprOut, and she presses her lover to reveal ms
name. He vainly endeavors to ull her curiosity
by pointing out the serious consequences which
must easae by Teyeang IT. who
four armed men for the purpose of assassinating
Lonengrin, but instead sa;,,S OF TINS the unknown
iully promises Elsa to reveal himself. The
King by TINS time has made the preparations Tor
Of Lonengrin. When he comes, detected and
sorrowiul ali regard him with establishment, but
when he begins the story OF himself all listen
with wonder. His revelation Is speedily made /;
he is Lohengrin, knight of the Holy Grail and
so long as his name remains unknown he
revealed, he loses all. Thus, having revealed
himself, he takes an affecting parting from
his vile, ana is about entering the boat drawn
by the swan which has returned ior him, when
the malignant triumph OF the wicked Ortrud can
not be restrained, and she goats upon Elsa
downfall with bitter glee Hearing this, Lonenerin
falls on his knees and prays. Suddenly white
dove descends over the boat, the swan sinks be-
meath the waters, and in It's place arises the
young Duke, VINO has been under the enchantment
Oi Ortrud. As the scene closes Elsa falls senseless
in the arms OF her restored brother, while Lohen-
grin Is seen on the water being drawn away by the
dove.
The work is to be produced under the direction
OF Sgnor Muzlo with augmented chorus and or
chestra and with the following cast Elisa, Nine.
Chr slime Nilsson; Ortrud, MISS Annie Louise Cary
LohengrIn, Slgnor italo alec 0am tsa FredsrlcS
Nannetu; The Kings Herald, Herr Blum.
German Operm--Lucca.
Nine. Lucca appeared last night at the Stadt
Theatre in her well known role of Marguerite in
''Faust," the house being crowded, as usual All
the salient points of her mpersonation OF the
role were as effective as ever, and in the church
scene particularly In voice and acting she rose to
degree OF greatness that thrilled her auditors
and brought forth perfect tornado OF applause
Miss Heiss made very charming Slebel, Pnluger
commendabe Faust and Lehman an excellent
Valentine. The Mephisto o. Herrmanns has long
since received the seal of approval from the New
York public, and was as full of didblerie and pic
turesqueness as ever last evening. The chorus and
orchestra, under the direction OF Mr.. Carberg,
were vast Improvement on the usual dilapidated
condition in which both important elements of the
opera are found at the Stadt Theatre. But two
bids adeu to her German friends In the Bowery.
"Faust" will be given on Monday and "Der Fret
schultz" on wednesday.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
Miss Isabella Brush Maure and Janet sailed for
Europe yesterday in the Perere.
Mile. Torriani, Capoul and wienawski appear
tonight in concert at the Grand Opera House.
ia Vie Parisienne" viii be sung at the Lyceum
Theatre on Monday evening by the Aimee troupe.
A complimentary concert was given to Mr.. G.
S. Gralulla last evening by the Seventh Regiment
Band.
The fall and winter season at the Grand Opera
House closed last evening. The end was precipi-
tated somewhat by the sudden withdrawal OF Mr..
Fox from the company, and the detection OF sew
eral other parties who preferred to follow Mr..
Fox's fortunes In his new venture at the Broad
way. The Opera House has been open since August
20, and so lar the season has lasted about thirty
one weeks. spring season will be commenced
on Easter Monday April g. with series OF star
attractions, beginning with Mr.. and Mrs. Florence
in the great Irish drama OF "Eileen Oge," which
viii be put in active preparation for very elaborate
production during the next two weeks.
The scheme OF matinees for charitable purposes