The New York herald., 1876-08-18
The Composer Called Before the Curtain BY
an Audience Of Kings and Princes
CLOSE OF A SERIES OF TRlUMPIIS.
&ah Of Gsgfisi and SaH-Innaatim Of Blllhlds.
Pntaysd in ts Musr-DraHa

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ESPECIAL pEspATcH THE HERALD BY CABLE. ]
BAIREUTH, Bavaria August II, 1876.
The agony Is over, and the grandest OF all operatic
conceptions. the music drama over which Richard
Wagner toiled and dreamed for twenty years. has
been given TO the world in its complete FORM To-
Gight the trilogy, rather quartet OF operas.
brought to o triumphal conclusion with the
representation OF "G0tterdammerung"-Tw Of
the Gods) Although "siegfried," as dealing solely
with the adventurous history OF the hero, who may
be considered the central figure Of the music
drama possesses considerable share OF dramatic
interest, yet in point Of varied action wondrOus
scenic triumphs and vivid tone painting the
TWILIGHT THE aoDs''
surpasses the rest of the work. In it are concen-
tr,ted the choicest gems OF the three preceding
works, and with their crystallzed motives as a
framework Wagner has painted the grandest
musical and dramatic subject that ever entered
the mind of composer. Since the days
Eschylus no more ambitious effort
has been made on the dramatic stage, and
since Beethoven laid down his inspired pen no such
colossal music has been heard the opeiatic stage.
There nearly 1000 people present at the clos
Ing performance, and when the curtain fell on the
magnificent scene of Brnnnhilde's self-immolation
the entire audience as one and the building
shook with rounds Of deafenng applause.
A NOTABLE TRIUMPH.
1t was triumph such composer has ever
attained during his lifetime, and can only be COM
pared to that memorable scene in Vienna when the
master of al music masters, Beethoven, was greeted
by the accamations from the ardent viennesc the
occasion Of the performance OF the immortal Choral
Symphony Yet the effect at the Festal Theatre at
Baireuth tonight was even more striking. Kings,
princes, grand dukes, renowned statesmen famous
artists and lntGrateurs and host of other celebr
ties cheered voclerously, and the composer came
forward and bowed his acknowledgements to an
audience such never before was gathered within
the walls OF q theatre.
wAGNKR's REMARKS.
1t was proud moment for Wagner, the goal for
which he had long and persistently striven. He
seemed deeply affected, and for some moments
words and voice failed him. He expressed his
warmest thanks In emotional accents and said that
he must defer his remarks on the performances for
future occasion Yet he felt himself mpeed to
speak of the unfaltering devotion and sublime self
abnegation OF the artists who interpreted his music
drama.
THE ARTISTS REFUSE TO APPEAR.
The artists were then called for but as they had
agreed among themselves not to appear before the
curtain in their ordinary Dress lest the illusions OF
the stage to which they contributed so much should
be lost on the minds of the audience, the call was
respectfully declined
TIE CAST.
The cast OF the Twilight OF the Godsr tonight
was as 'olows:-Segfried, George Unger, Baireuth
Guav'ier Gngene Gura, Hamburg; Hagen Gustav
sehr, yiesbaden; Alberich, Carl Hill. Schwern
Brunnhde, Amaie Materna, Vienna; Gutrune,
Mathilde weckern, Munich; waltraute, Luise
IaIde, Darmstadt.
THE CLOSING sCoNES TRILOGY.
The majestic scene of Siegfricd's death, with its
startling surroundings, well betting the end of
such representative hero, to be remem-
bered for a lifetime. The hunting party on the
banks OF the Rhine, the joyous spirits OF the
suspecting victim OF treachery, the dastardy stab
In the back, the dying reproachcs of the hero and
the grand niarcle ruleoTe, formed musical and
dramatic climax that stirred to their in
most depths the hearts OF all present Then
came the wild lament OF Brrnnhilde and
her sef-immolation. The horse Grave, was brought
forward, and as she sprang upon his back and sang
her farewell. previous mounting the funeral ryre
Of her dead hero, the music assumed an intensity
OF passion rarely equaled in the entire range
Of the divine art on this wonderful scene the
curtain descended for the last time, and the trlogy
ended. Nine. Materna was a superb repre-
sentative OF the vaSyr from arst to last. Tier
voice and acting LEFT nothing to be wished for in
the delineation OF the exactng role OF Brunnhrde.
REVIEW oP THE POUR PERFORMANCES.
Looking back on those four performances few
general remarks may not be out of place here.
"Rheingod," although 1t possesses many at
fractions on account OF its surprising scenic
effects. and also AZ an illustration OF the
life OF the ancient Teutonc divinities was rather
monotonous In musical point OF view "De
Wakure" was a decided musical success. especially
In certain melodious passages, which were vehc-
mcnuy applauded. Those passages were not ex-
actly the most grateful the ultra Wagner
It's. but they were the most appreciated by the ma
joriy of the audience.
The Ride OF the vakyrs and the dre scene were
the scenes that received the largest share OF APP
plause They are so magnificently scored that they
must be regarded two OF wagner's most powerful
creations "siegfriedp is q unique work. dyllic and
tharacterlstc. But in the dnaLe OF the trlogy the