The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-12-09
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ITrsnsaied from Ia DsptschsH Rsiess Of LsIpzig
1t is by no means disadvantage To an
enterprise TO be little talked of during its
earlier stages. The theatre which Wagner
has been building at tins place has enjoyed
this advantage. Now, however. that 1t has
been opened for rehearsals we are encour-
aged to give some idea of the outward eX
preston of the edifice designed for the
greatest musical festival of modern times.
Mr.. Wagner selected Bayreuth for this festi-
val, not merely because of the pleasant stu
alton of this little Protestant eiry IN the
north of Bavaria, so accessible fr1'tn aiiUther
parts of Germany, but also because u pos
sessed large ani we'll appointed theatre
ever since the days of the splendor-loving
Markgraf George. After Wagner had built
"Wahnfried, y his new home, close ia the
park. he saw the difficulty of transforming
the theatre, and preferred erecting an en-
tiIely new structure upon his own plan.
This is now entirely flushed on the outside
and stands upon an elevation not far frnm
the railway station in the direction of the
monument of Victory. The shape Of the
red brick building and its position,
where il commands Il fac view, are sugges-
tive of summer theatres, such as managers
delight to name ''Tivoli'' or ''Elysium"
As the performances in cont, N piation are
not, however, 20 be of u corresponding
character, peHhaps the situation in one re-
spect is NOS Altogether appropriately chosen
for either the thousands Of guests who are
expected will have a weary ascent 70 it, or,,,t
system of hackney coach service, which
does not at present exist at Bayreuth, must
be created. The rows of slender trees
which line the way, too, will yield but slight
protection to the pedestrian from the rays
of the afternoon sun. But the master had
reason of his own for choosing this place
He needed good foundation and ample
space beneath his stage; and no other place
in the valley answered this purpose so well,
on account of the subterraneous waters.
The exterior of the theatre is very simple
the part of the building designed for the
audience is turned teward-the city on the
corners are four small pavilions; in the cen
tre rises the powerful SchRur6oden, some
what like the Lripzig theatre. When you
approach the Interior from the stage ynu are
astouished at its vast proportions. In The
dimensions of heig bit, depth and width, it ex-
ceeds any other German theatre. The pull
leys for drawing the scenes are twice the
height of the st ige, and as the depth of thir
ty-slx feet below the stage is sufficient to
receive the scenes, they vanish below instead
of being rolled up. There is row of these
arrangements for drawing up and down ON
different parts of the stage. Rooms for
stage decoration are provided en either side
as In the naveof II cEuIci', and they are aa-
mirably adapted TO this purpose. Almost
every spot upon the vast p0dium is arranged
to be sunk when necessary, and numberless
little openings are provided TO allow articles
of dress to vanish below. The space Under
ground is divided into two stories, of which
the upper, in some places, may b. raised to
the level of the stage. The great peculiari-
ty of the theatre centres however, in the
orchestra and the arrangement for accommo-
dating spectators. The latter consists Of
forty amphtheattic rows of seats divided
into sections, each .'if which furnishes about
fifty sittlngs Thele is no proscenium eX-
cept the row of boxes for royalty. A wall
in the shape of a cell, overlapping the stage
as it were, completely hides the orchestra
from tue public. The wall extends some
distance under he stage where-the wind
instruments are disposed. In this way the
musiciaus attt ttntien is never distracted 10y
the performance. Even the Yiollnists, whose
places are next to the director, can scarcely
see the stage The complaint is often made
by singers that they ale obliged to sing
this innovation proves successful, Wagner
will deserve TO be regarded as II reformer in
theatrical archi,ec ture, as we'll as in music.
We may possibly also owe To him reform
in the system of lighting theatres. His first
step in that direction has been to remove
the footliehts from the stage, thus avoiding
the unfavorable shadows which they throw
upon the faces of actors who inadvertently
step too near them. The principal light
will be supplied trom. above. However, all
this is rs yet only iu the experimental stage.
The question of possible accidents from fire
arises. This subject has not beer owe rlouked.
Beneath the theatre is II well which, on the
one hand, collects all the suDterranecus wa
ter, thus insuring dry foundation, and at
the same time forms a reservoir from which
water may be raisi d by an eOgine, provided
for the purpose, trthe very top of the edi6ce.
From there it rs conducted 10y pipes in all
directions. The steam also will be used for
scenic effects. ~SeveFaliron mouths open un-
der the stage, through. which the steam or
vapor may ascend to the podium. This
whole enterprise, from the const uction of
the vast ediice to the gathering mo it OF
all the highest talent of Germany, repre-
sents something unusually grand in design
and energetic in performance; aud If some
smile at the uncertainties and impractica-
bilities of the scheme, they must lay their
blame upon the fanatical friends of Mr..
Wagner, who have SO literally provided
means for it. Now that the work is so far
advanced (for at the present time they are
already having iehearsals in it with full
orchestra), it is not premature to speculate
upon the effect of IT'S attractions. Four
years ago thousands fiDc1eddto view the
performance of the Passion Playnat Ober-
ammergau. l. is not TOO much to expect
at least an equal numter To visit Bayreuth.
If anything is calculated to insure the SYM
pathy Of the German people in the highest
degree for this festival, it will be the reaec-
ton that the whole creation (the Nibelun.
gem being its foundation, and the way it is
TO be carried out bears purely German
character. OF course the decision of the
public will depend upon the Tone Pic
lures" of the master; but the Nibelungen
promises something very different from what
was to be feared from the style of the