The New York herald., 1876-11-30
THOMAS REHEARSAL '.TwIIIoHr or THE

THOMAS REHEARSAL TWILIGHT or THE
GODS" FROM wAoNER's TRILoay.
The public interest in the last grand achievement OF
Richard wagner-tbo culmnation of long and strug.
cling career-s on tho increase on both sides OF the
Atlantic. Those who aDle 10 attend tho
Barculh festival eager to hear, even in
FORM the music which marks, perhaps, Tho highest
development OF wagrer's peculiar theories II to
DO expected, therefore. that at tho first performance
of the Introduction to the last part Of the
Trilogy, .sTwignt Of tho Gods" given by such
renowned organization Thomas orchestra and
der tho direction Of the ablcst conductor in America
stenway Hall would DO crowded The result exceeded
the most sangulne expectations for the hall
literally packed even to the second gallery Tho
orchestra increased to than eighty players,
the exiaencies OF the score demanding many
instruments The two scenes from tho
'Getterdemmerung" wero presented in the
Same form in which they were given when
first brought out Vienna under tho composers
direction. As the myth" of tho entire work OF tho
.Ring the Nibelungen" has been already explained
IN exhaustive manner IN these columns lat the date
of the Barcuh estival It is only necessary here
refer briefly TO this particular scene 1t introduces at
first the three Norns (similar beings 10 the ParcD
OF tho Grecian and Roman mythology They
SPIN tho thread OF destiny and question each
other concerning the fate Of the world and the gods
The thread suddenly breaks. and with lamcntabe
cry the shadowy forms of tho Fates vanish As the
vocal OF tho Norns is not absolutely necessary
to the first scene when given in concert foru tWag-
ner omitted them IN Vienna), Thomas concentrated
the attention Of the audience and the orchestra entirely
upon the and wondrous Instrumentation that
describes what corresponds with the idea OF
the end OF the world the destruction OF Wal
haia and the in,o of tho gods. to which
vorspiel Wagner seems TO completely scver himself
from any lingering ties OF ancient forms that might
ushers in the dawn OF day, and Brlnhilde (Aimc.
Rudcrsdor and Segfried Herr Blschon1 appear. The
style OF Nine told with effect in the very
trying music OF "rhe Walkyr." The lower notes OF
her voice still retain their sonorous power and in no
instance did she iail TO sustain with
cess the onerous burden undertaken by nor, us
long as the music was within her present
compass The upper notes in the music however,
were with difficulty sung by her. Mr.. Blschod made
h moro decided impression OF favorable kind on this
occasion and gave tho vosung's usic with moro ire
and spirit than we have ever hoard him before. Tho
orchestra would have excited the admiration OF Wag
ncr himself Every member OF II seemed TO fecl the
responsibility OF such terrible ordeal aud applied
himself with unusual diligence to his share OF the
task. The overture, ''Scherzo," fndk opus so, by
Schumann. and symphony No. IN nat, Beethoven,
were the other works rehearsed yesterday. The
ond symphony concert takes place on Saturday even
ing
THE THANKSGIVING FESTIVAL AT rHx ACADEMY.
An audience much larger than that Of Monday
night-when the rain kept thousands OF people at
homc-sreetcd the second Concert OF Mr.. James W.
Norrissey's Thanksgiving festival last evening The
programme full Of interest and remarkable for
variety. There were Bcethoven's ''Consecration OF
the House" and tho third act Of Wagner's opera OF
"Lohenarin," performed superby by Theodore
Thomas orchestra; vocal music by MISS Thursoy,
Nine Gulager, Ferranu and Brigneli and piano per-
formances by 8. B. Mills and Mme Carreno Miss
Thrrsby's charming voice was heard 10 much advan-
tage the aria from the "Magic Fiute,n and in the
OF Ardit Nine. Gulager sang the polonaise from
"Mgnon' admirably, aud, with Sgaor Ferranti the
duet "Dunquo 10 Son., from tho Barber OF Seville"
Mr. 5. b. Mills played ono Of his own hne compositions
and wagncrs spinning song in the "Flyng Dutch
man. We have not heard Sgnor Brignoli
sing better for years than he sang last
night His voice had all the freshness
OF young tenor, and Its pure, clear tones like
those OF a silver bell. There Is tenor In America
to-day who has that peculiar true tone which makes
his voice one OF perennial beauty. On Friday evening
the Thanksg festival will cioso with pro-
gramme, including selections from 'Der Frescbutz,"
the Eighth symphony OF Beethoven AMI Nlcolais
"Merry ives OF WinGsor' by Thomas orchestra, and
new programme Tor the rost Of the entire company.