New-York tribune., 1875-08-21
RICHARD WAGNER.
A VISIT TO THE COMPOSER.

Zopf fund Sch,rgt, which gives an admirable delinea
tion Of the family life of Frederick William l. King
OF Prussia, makes his intriguing queen constantly
confonnd the title Of the Prince of Bayreuth. who
wss paying attention TO her daughter. The affected
onoen can quite remember whether he halls from
Ausbach or Bayreuih. "0ne is always eonfoundiDg
these hte prineipalties, You know, my dear Prince
von-von-Anshach."
1t appears that Bayreuth at that time had not
worldwide reputa ion. and ! presume there a
. good many intelligent Germans who until within the
last two wears could not tell without considerable
hunting on the map. where this modest little place
is situated. If such stll lives, he is without
excuse. BsyIeuth is place Of no political, no com
mereia and Of little historical Importance hat to
the lovers of literature and the lovers Of music, II is
place of considerable interest. To the former IL is
known as the home Of Jean Paul Richter, and his
house and grave are still shown TO the literary pill
grim TO the latter it is known as the home of
Richard Wagner The fame of prince eonld not
give this place a wide and lasting reputation but
what prince could not do. Wagner, prince indeed
in his own realm, has achieved beyond all doubt.
And now Bayreuth bids fair to be famous not only
for the next two three years. but to have astng
position of Importance in the history of MUSICAL and
especially musico-dramatic art.
Starting few DAYS since tor a tripIo Munich, |
had an idea that Bayreuh was worth seeing, both for
what il is and for what it is going - be; when
got to Weiden took ear the Bayreuth track.
After two-hours' ride from this junction we were
landed about 10 o'clock mellow moonlight
night in this pretty little capital of extinct prin
cpality. presume that thirteen months hence one
will not he able TO get hotel so quickly and so
reasonably q. that time of night. OF the regiment
of artists and the crowd of Wagner devotees that
will hock here in August 1876, the former vii, be
bileted he honest burchers of the place and the
latter viii have a chance 10 test Bayrenths reputa-
ton for cheap and comfortable hotel accommoda-
tons under the most tempting relations of supply
and demand
II the visitor takes note of his position when he
sets to Bayreuth he finds that though it is away up
In the northeast part of Bavaria and is not para
site on any great city, occupying position OF COM
narrative obscurity il is yet in admirably central
position for German musical pilgrims. Indeed, III
point of locality it might be called the musical hub,
for IL lies almost exactly in the center OF circle OF
which Leipsic Dresden, Prague, Munich, Stutt gagt,
and Frankfort form the periphery. Berlin and Vi
emma are only few hours outside of the circle by an
express train. One hardly suIPOses that this little
place has population of 1900, SO snuely are its
inhabitants slowed away within its precincts.
Bw seen from n neighb0ring hill, the
CITY seeIrs to cover a very respectable ex-
tent of ground, and the churches, towers,
old and new palaces and beautiful park lift it above
the me,locrity of village. Taken IN connection
with its suburbs il is Of the pretes little cities
that can be found in Bavaria. To the Aargraye
Christian Of Brandenburg who transferred his seat
20 this place in the first half of the 17th century tie
city is indebted for the inauguration Of many per
manent improvements George William and alse
Frederick who was finally successful in his suit for
the sister of Frederick the Great were botn much
attached TO their capital, and did all they could to
beautfy it, The Brandenburg eagle which one sees
here and there the public buildings is not the only
monument these princes LEFT behind them. The new
Palace erected in 175 with the beautiful palace gar
den and park is a better memorial for MargraVe
Frederick This garden and park are now used as
public promenades. There are many larger cities,
csDeeialy in our own country, that not 30 well
of in this respect Since 1869, when the Bayreuth
family became extinct, the princpality has changed
hands frequently. The Ansbach family came first
into possession Margrave Alexander sod ont to
Prussia in 1871: then the French sway from 1906
H. 1910 followed, and finally Bavaria, it's next door
aeighbor, opened hungry mouth and swallowed
the pTilcipality whole.
For the benefit Of the future Traveller | may say
that all that Bayreuth offers externally can be seen
In a very short time. The old Palace which was
erected in 1454, shows signs of age. 1t Is now
Government-office building. The new Palace Is now
fitted UP for King Ludwig. Aothe extremity of the
palace garden is large parade and drill ground for
tbe reailnenr of cavalry statoned here. Their are
two or three churches OF them of Importance
In the Castle-sauare. Schwanthaer who has done 50
much for Bavaria, and especially for Munich has
static of Jean Paul Other statues, especially one
of Margraye Christian Ernst, and here and there
fourtans adorn the city. The elegant opera-house,
erected in lS47 has been suffered to 60 10 Uln-at
least to become very much dilapidated. Not only
On This account but more especially because
nf its conventional construction, Wagner found 1t
unftted for his purposes. The house of Jean Paul is
one of those same plain unPretentous, unpoetic,
ulssrats looking but not unsttersd houses IN whasR
Goethe Schiller, Herder, and Wieiand managed to
hive IN Wei.nar if for other reason because in
German cities of this time other houses were TO
be found. Once perhaps in Bayreuth they laughed
at this writer's eccenricities, now they are proud
10 own him. Those who have seen and admired
Riedels excellent pictures in the Gallery at Munich
Judith the Italian Women, the Fisher and his
Fanily-must also credit his birth 10 Bayreuth.
In the vicinity Of Bayreuth two delightful
resorts. One Is the Eremitage, chateau about
three miles from the city, with park and garden
containing a great basin, surrounded by pared
tepple constructed of col0red stones striped marble
snd rock crystal with three beautiful fountains
Another is the Fantasie about four miles away, a
char1nngly situated chateau belonging to the Duke
Alexander of Wiirtemburg. Both Of these places are
vel worthy of a visit.
II was a slight request of the hotelkeeper-tO |
show me a barber-but did not think he would be |
so fullv equal to the occasion. He pointed 10 shop
across the square and started for it. had hardly
gone half way over when he came running after me- |
saving that if wished could have the privilege Of
beine shaved by the same barber that shaved Rrh- |