The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-21
Interview with the
Great Composer.
His Musical Dreams, Plans and
Achievements.
What He Thinks of "Lohen-
grin" in New York.
BArREUTH, Bavaria, May 10, 1874.

nltude that fear shall not be able to do justice
TO them. Mr.. wagner speaks in German with great
rapidty, and with formation OF his sentences in
trcate and difncult to follow. His ideas
run away with hum; he commences on music,
branches OFF into the French influence on German
national development aud ends in potics-all In
one sentence. We conversed the state OF the
Nlbeiungen treasury. Wagner Informed me that
100000 thaers had been subscribed for the s0-caled
.pafronaf' ceruhcates-that Is, tickets for the
performances; but still other 200, 900 thaers
needed before the iestal performances could Jake
place. This lacK OF support tue part OF Ger
mans was 10 him an incomprehensible fact. He
told me how he had fully expected that the
he only needed 1000 or them-and have
subscribed TO the undertaking. But hardly
q dozen princes had shown interest IN his plans.
Wagner spoke earnestly of the tendencies pur-
sued by some OF the German princes. He rejoiced
that Germany had Prussian army; that Germany
had Prussia at all, whereby she had become VIC
rorious and united. He regretted that, notwith-
standing this victory, French fashions and French
taste st rule In operate and dramatic matters in
Germany to as great an extent as before the war.
In most Of the Court theatres French ballet alone
Is cultivated to perfection. To one German Court,
however, Wagner seemed to revert with pleasure
hHu SdlsIactlOn-tO the baVarlan-anu he mas gOOu
cause so to do. Wagner asked me first of all to
correct misstatement made some time ago by an
American correspondent, who said that WAg-
ner, finding himself lacking 100000 thalers
for the completion of his plans, had
written to King Ludwig OF Bavaria who had at
once responded from Hohenschwangan by enclos-
lng check Tor the entire sum. "There is no truth
In all this" said Wagner; .'the fact Is that the
King OF Bavaria did not write any such letter,
never sent such check, but be has placed the
sum or 100000 thalers to my credit which sum
l can draw upon as the necessity arrives. This
sum has to be refunded from the moneys vet to be
subscribed"
'LoHENGRIN" IN NEW YORK.
As matter OF course we spoke OF American az
fairs and American interest in the Nibelungen The
atre and Of the recent "Lohengrin" performances
IN New York. at seems strange to us,n said
Wagner, "rhat you should just be announcing in
America the conflict which was fought here twenty
years ago. The same objections from opponents,
the same Misunderstanding, the same enthusiasm
from friends and admirers. The .Lohengrinn con-
nct ID fought and won here-we are engaged in
the Nbelungen conflict which Is OF far greater
scope" | admitted that 'Lohengrin" is such an
accepted fact in Germany that even to non-musical
people 1t Is amusing to see how the war is raging
across the ocean and how the old medieval weap-
0ns are polished up by valiant critics to combat
the glorious Knight OF the Grail. The old, old
legend about Wagner's music drowning the
voice OF the singers is worn threadbare.
Wagner rejoiced that 'Lohengrin" had at last been
introduced into America. .'Lohengrinn Is the mes
senger sent out into the wilderness to prepare the
way for the heroes and gods to follow. He re-
GREETED, however, that the opera could only be
heard IN The Italian. Wagner has no great regard
for Italian TRANSACTIONS OF his operas, the very
basis OF which is the drama the vital word. You
might as well leave out the scenery from a'Wagner
opera as the words and no sane man will deny
Wagner the poetic gift the talent to produce
noble, beautiful poetry. We do Wagner terrible
Injustice when neglect his libretti or have the
singers give them TO US in a language we do not
understand. 1.-THE English language" said
Wagner TO me, "is nearer related to the German
than the Italian, and better adapted than the
italian as a vehicle OF transmitting my ideas A
century ago and even we Germans despised our own
tongue IN favor OF the Italian. have never found
In our German language any hndrance to operate
beauty and there will be no nindrances in the
English Italian opera is a fashion, simply
fashion, nothing else. The Italians are talented
singers indeed, but we cannot produce healthy
vital, dramatic opera If we refuse to produce it in
the language OF our nation.u Wagner spoke In
terms OF great praise OF translation Of Rhein-
gold, published in England, and thought that
ALTERATION employed by him in that and other
portions OF the s.Nibeungenn could not be pro-
duced In any other language than the English.
Ana think honest critics will agree with Wagner
In the
NECESSITY OF vERNACULAR OPERA.
Two years ago Wagner made the remark to
me that he fully believed that English opera would
at some time develop and flourish but it would
take root and develop In the United States.
Wagner referred several times further to Ameri-
can SUBJECTS He felt grateful for the appreciation
Shown to his Intentions by the Germans across the
Atlantic-Dy Mr.. Thomas aud by native Americans
He did not seem to expect many American
patrons for the Nibelungen performance. Some
he thought might come out OF "curlosity.'' There
would be to him even something OF humiliation in
the thought OF having his audience made up OF
strangers, because he mad projected his theatre
. national German undertaking. The fact that
Wagner can count among his royal and princely
patrons" the sultan OF Turkey and the Khedive OF
Egypt does not give him any delight for the simple
reason That they nave no interest In the matter
and simply subscribe because they have been asked
b. some German prince or other. / find this feel
ing very natural Nevertheless Wagner rejoices in
the growing sympathy for his cause in the United
States Chicago had offered to build him theatre
at her own expense. The grand whole -souled
generosity OF the Americans pleased him. Ind
viduals give there million dollars for colleges and
universities. This trait OF individual generosity Is
lacking In Germany. Wagner has generous opin-
tons about Us. We are still in the period OF
aggomeration The nation has first to develop out
OF itseh to free itself from foreign influences con-
stantly thrown upon it. "wait until we are a
nation" said Minister Bancroft TO me {Wagner)
sand then you win see what we are
and what we can do.n We are still learn.
ing, imbibing, receiving, and the good
takes time to ferment. The Romantic ele-
ment there gravitates so naturally towards
the related element on this side OF the water. and
Paris hitherto been the great operatic and dra
matte source not only for America but for Germany
too SO soon as the great Paris bell is sounded
the whole world PUSHES Pariswards. But wait
until you shall have become nation, in the Ban.