The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-13
THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE COMPOSERS PATH.

Wagner needed only thirty for the " Nibclungen
Ring" First he composed " Siegfreds DEATH"
which now, IA the Twilight of the Gods
forms the last portion OF the tetralOgy Banished
from Germany In lSlg for completely In the rovo-
tuition, he felt. for long time, no impulse to-
ward now creation: but Mt last, encouraged by
LISTS generous interest he turned anew to tho
study of the old northern mythology, and "a a
result Of this, composed the Young Siegfred
with lightning speed
Gradually tho conviction grew In him that the
whole mighty material could only be ntly handled
IN four connected dramas, and his work was
completed by the addition Of Rheingold " and
the "wallkyrc." The musical composition OF
the whole work was not thoroughly completed
till 1915 Meantime the masters soul was heavy
with caro- for the steps necessary to bring about
representation Of his giant work. Just as In
Faust" heaven and hcll-aye, several hclls-
the heathen Gcrmanlc and the classic Greek
are all stirred in order to work out the eventual
salvation Of one tormentod human soul so the
"Nihclungen" deals with gods, men, giants, and
Nibclungen dwarfsl.
The technical apparatus for the iife-like pres
entation Of these four worlds, and the fantastic
events which take place In them, could scarcely
be found on hand or got ready on any existing
stage. Furthermore, Wagner felt the impossi-
bility Of handing over his work to existent nsti.
tutlons. used AS they are to the most servie con-
ccssuns to the more or less inspd taste OF the
period. The crowds which press to the rarely
irreproachahle representations OF these the
aires In search Of the utmost amount OF amuse-
mCnt with the least possible mental exertiun
are scarcely In condition to sit out, en- m lss four
consecutive evenings OF purely ideal work and
finally no theatre now existent was In condition
to supply the immense number Of performers
which his drama requires. Wagner had, more
over, always cherished the idea Of an edince
never yet realized In any Of the worlds
numberless theatres whose main principle
should consist in having the orchestra COM
plctey out Of sight. while the auditorium should
spread upward In the form of an amphtheatre,
with nothing To distract the attention OF the
| spectator from the action on the stage.
For the carrying out of this idea, Wagner re-
| quired theatre built after his own plans, In
sequestered place, large number of Hrst-rate
musicians. vocal and orchestral, and costly
machinery and appurtenances No wonder that
he often despaired OF its execution. But help
was near
Among those familiar friends TO whom
he unfolded his plans, Carl Tausig. the
| pianist, took up the notion with enthu-
siasm. In concert with another OF wag
ners warme-t admirers Marie Won schlenitz
|
conceived the plan Of Issuing patronage c,rm
Gates to raise the necessary funds, estimated at
| 3Ocpthalers Straightway all over Europe and
| even in our own city, Wagner Unions sprang
| into existence, intended to further the desired
end and they finally deposited a large part
| Of the sum in wagncr's hands. Louis H.. Of
| Bavaria. a generous. and. so 10 speak. providen-
| tlal admirer OF wagner's art, offered 10 be re-
| sponslble for the rest
Tns NEW THEATRE AND ITS LOCATION.
In the mean time Wagner had fixed on the
little city Of Bayreuth for the execution OF his
plan. Tho town lies In the very heart OF Ger
many. amid fine, natural scenery. consecratcd
by the poetic associations Of Jean Paul Richter,
who wrote there many Of his works. wag-
ners choice was Justified by the energy OF the
citizens who, with u Justinable pridestrained
every nerve to crafty his wishes. A nne build
ing site was given to him gratis, on a rising
ground near the town, and in ls5e preparations
were In forwardne-s Tor the formal laying Of the
corner stone. For the proper celebration u this
occasion a great number Of the foremost musi-
| clans Of Germany were invited to Bnireuth.
where, under wagners leading and In union
with several Of the great Berlin and Leipzig
choral societies. they gave memorial perform
ance OF Beethovcns Ninth symphony.
The building Of the theatre was now begun,
and all musical or other engagements Of the
artists concerned ordered that as early AS last
summer the first rehearsals could lie heard with
singers and orchestra. Since the lat ~ June -
This year the whole corps has been assembled at
Bayreuth 20 give the finishing touches to this
gigantic enterprise-a labor requiring In high
degree, both individual talent and enthusiastic
devotion The eyes of the world are turned to-
ward Bayreuth. The FIRST representation u the
= Nlhaiun1,ar - Ia ~ tat ali -
ternoons Of sunday, Monday, Tuesday. and We'd
nesday, the 18th, 18th, 18TH and 18th Of Au-
gust, corresponding to the division of the poem
into four parts" Rhengod." "Walkyre."
Young Selgfried" and Twilight Of the Gods"
There is every probability that the expectations
awakened by this momentous event will he am
ply fulfilled. An examination IT the list II art
ists shows an unprecedented assemblage Of in
dyidual talent.
THE SINGERS
Prominent among the vocallsts are Nine
Materna from Vienna, Nine. Jachmann- wag-
ner from Berlin. Fri weckerln from Munich,
the sisters Lii and Marie Lehman from
Berlin, Nine. JaIdo from Darmstadt; Messrs
Niemann and liet1 from Berlin, Hal from Schwe-
rim, Gura from Leipzig, Nogl from Munich. and
Cnger from Mannheim. The orchestra IS led by
Hans Richter ~ Vienna. man Of the most YER
satile musical endowment, and the most thor
ough knowledge ~ Wagnerian score and inter
probation. AT the head ~ the viollns Is the
world-renowned master, August Wilhelm, and
each instrument will, In like manner, find admir-
able representation.
Of course the soul Of the whole thing Il Rich
ard Wagner himself. At rehearsal nothing es-
cApes his notice nothing seems iuslgnincant.
At ono moment a shade Of expression must be
explained 10 one Of tho orchestra; then per-
former needs drilling In gesture; then comes tho
care for accurate ensemble. Wagner Is every
whore, urging, praising directing, revlvng their
wearlcd souls with sparkling wit, and with eye
and ear with the magic Of his whole nature,
always guiding aud insplrltlng his obedient fol-
lowers to put into living action what hitherto
no one has more than dreamed.
before beginning our description Of the great
festival 1t will be In order To give the reader a
sketch Of the contents u Wagnor's Nibelungon
Poem, after which should come our description
Of the festival days At Dayreuth. In our sum
mary OF the poem we will follow the ex-
cellent work Of Ernst Koch-a prize disserta-
ton Of last year.