The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-09
TRISTAN AND ISOLDE"

wAaNsR's NEW OPERA BROUGHT OUT IN sHa-
CENT scnEE-rHE HNPxRoR AND THE CON-
PosER-THz OLD, OLD. STORY on Low AUD
DEATH.
BERLIN. March "a, 1875
Richard wagnor's Tristan and Isoldeu experienced
yesterday at the Arst representation in Berlin BRIL-
liant success Fer some weeks nothing has been the
subject Of conversation but tins new opera for the
study Of which the composer himself had been staying
here. After several rehearsals. conducted BY Wagner
In person. everything was 80 far perfected that the
opera was to DO given Tuesday. Alta wish Of His
Majesty however the performance took place yesser
day, the Emperor fearing such an excitement on tho
evening preceding his birthday might try bis strength
too much be able TO bear the fatgues Of the ap-
preaching day. Tho demand for tickets something
unparalleled Although the price OF seats consid
eraby enhanced thousands made applications in vain
For the few tickets dealers gained possession Of
FABULOUS PREMIUMS
were paid Places tho STALLS sold at the ticket once
for s. were disposed Of in At ten times>
their value. Besides those boxes belonging 70 the
royal family and court the Emperor had ordered q
serve OF several boxes for those princes who had
arrived in Berlin to celebrate tho anniversary OF bis
birthday. The dress circle principally occupied
by members Of the diplomatic corps, OF whom the
Ambassadors their ladies and Ministers OF all tho lead
ing States had appeared As the British Ambassador
Lord Odo Russell had issued invitations on the ter
mlnaton Of the opera, for large party all persons
attending were dressed IN evening toilet orr
cumsance which tended considerably to brighten tbs
festive appearance OF the house Toward hal,paa
hvo the building began to ALL and a. Elk O'clock ths
tmc fixed Tor the commencement OF the opera noe
ono empty place could be few minutes before
accompanied by their daughter. the Grand
Duchess OF Baden, appeared in their private
box adjoining stage In the box contiguous sat the
Grown Princess the Grand Duke OF Baden, tho hcred
itary Princess Of Hohcnzollern, with her sister,
Princess George Of Saxony the widowed Grand
Duchess Of Meckenburg. tho only sister living OF the
Emperor NE Princess Carl Trerch Carl and
number OF reigning princes
lew minutes after six o'clock
THE EXTERIOR GAVE THE SIGNAL
for beginning the opera. dead silence prevailed In
heard The orchestra directed by Herr Eckert, Z
friend and scholar OF Wagner while Wagner awaited
the success o. hi. n small box belonging
which OF the lyric melody OF the opera prevail
was performed in a mastery manner The musoiana
all performers OF noo put forth their best powers 70
effectively execute the work
On the curtain being drawn up Isolde FRAU Won
voggenhuber) was on the stage, accompanied by
her faithful servant, Brangane Fraulen Brandt) on
board OF large ship steering toward Cornwall where
the royal daughter Of ireland to be united In mar
rsgc to King Mark. Isolde leaves her country with
heavy heart merely having responded to wish Of her
parents In consentng to the proposals OF Tristan IN
narrative Of Gottod Of Strasburg Wagner describes
to In his Tristan and Isolde how Tristan, OF Par
menica In struggle for his parent., hesi.age under
Isolde He himself struck down by poisoned steel
directs his small bark TO Irsands Shore whore he, the
unknown, under tho OF "Tantrs,r IL nursed and
healed BY tho hands Of the young Princess
THE STORY or THE OPERA
Full OF pity for the sick hero hsplessy lying before
tar eho in n mOun NJ eFniu NE
finds assure m which the splinter Of steel en-
tacled from the body Of tho murdered Moro exactly
none Sher than TRISTAN her greatest ' sn.ny. 4
feeling Of revenge impels her TO raise the sword
Of ,ne SICK youth 20 oea nm aesay uou: when
pom to SINK Uncooscousy the picture Of Tristan I'M
prints itself Tsolde's heart she herself will
until his return home The feeling Of love rekndies IN
Isoldcs heart when Tristan for the second time
OF the beautiful princess Faithful g his mission he
conducts her 10 his uncle without having ever ap-
preached during The passage But Isolde determined
upon his or her doath Her wise mother has provided
her with
ENCHANTING AID DxApLY rorIoxa
Brangane her confidential companion, contrary to
the will oil her mistress, and who IL charged 70 ad-
minister the dose to Tristan from love to Isolde oils
tho cup with love potion. Isolde not dreaming Of
the deception, snatches the cup from Tristan when
halt empty and quickly drinks the remainder Tho
die IS cast Deprived OF earthly sense and presuming
death s near their eyes and they fall speech
less into each others arms Only death has power to
tear their secret from then for they know nothing Of
Brangdne's deceit
rHR SHIP LANDS
Isolde - married to King Marke and now begins ow-
right and moral wrong Isolde 10 passonately at
iached TO Tristan. Tristan has false friend named
hsas. who shrists Tor the betrayal and ruin Of the
couple To effect his object he persuadcs tho King
who Is no longer youthful to institute chilly chase
Well knowing that Tristan will benefit by tho oppor
tuni,y to meet with Isolde The second act represents
garden with high trees planted before lsoldes apart
ment The summer night is clear and brilliant A
burning torch is placed ever the open gateway. In
Brangano on tho stops OF tho apartments, intently
listening for any audible signs OF enemies Isolde
now rejons her. and commands, IN spite Of her warn
ing 10 extinguish the torch, sign for Tristan that
no may approach. He comes; and in expressions Of
ganc with cry announces trcachery. A ciatter Of
weapons Is heard, and violently and swiftly King
Marke heiat and several court attendants appear on
the scene
Tristan, filled with hatred against the treacheroua
TO death BY Melat's Steel he sinks to EARTH The third
act shows Tristan. deeply wounded, In his CASTLE
a sa pEn ., Sssh s.s: ssO
Isolde 20 the dying hero Joyous sounds Of
approaches She ascends the shore Tristan, over.
coming his physical Weakness goes to meet her His
arms. second ship is perceived which bri ngs King
harkc. KurvsnaI, believing his arrival forbode1
hostile Intentions, fortihcs the entrances, bat too
weakly Mclat the traitor, forces his way In, and ID
immediately struck to the ground by KurvenaL But
the latter misapprehcnds the designs Of the arrverA
larke, informed by Bransane Oft traglca fate o.
Tristan, his favortc, mas come TO unite him with
Isolde Too late, Isolde fallen. deprived OF con-
sclousnoss on Tristan, with whom she y united IN
death.
THE EXECUTION THE OPERA
To this epitoms OF the contents Of the opera, ID
which no pretensions 10 detail are made viii juss
mention some parts OF the music calling forth loud APP
plausc Tho sad strains OF = young hshermans song
NJ the beginning OF the opcra"Frsch weht der Wind
der Hsmath gu mein irisch Kind wsilest du''-and
the painful between Isolde and Brangano were OF
great effect Tho discourse between the hero ana the
cssonror IN which he gives her replies not
respond 10 tho CALL 10 sung in full rhythm and power
The eliminating point IN the first act u duet between
Tristan and Isolde, when sho feels called upon to
make him atone for his neglect From this point,
where the hero, endcavoring 10 hide his feeingA
quickly replies tho questions OF the passionate wo
man 10 the moment when he scizss the cup and dis
covers his real sentiments tor her, truly demonacal
increase OF power,