New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-28


long but in vain to make him adhere to his orglnai
decree, and allow Hunting to be slam. There was
striking tableau when, kneeling and resting ner
arms upon Wotan's knee, she looked up into his face
while in low and sad mouologue he explained the
necessity under which tho gods were hound. 1t was
almost "a reoitetiro pdridnk chiefly with deep bass
accompaniment until tho ot-repcated motive OF the
beginning of the second scene of 1.-THE Rheingod'
grew out OF the instrumental part and the song then
rose. TO greater animation. Brinnhilde, however
perseverel in her intercession till Wotan angriiy
commanded her to obey. In the character or TINS
war-maden whose duty it is, with her eight sisters,
to point out the heroes that are to fall in battle and
bring their souls TO Walhalla there is element of
human tenderness shown in the highly emotional
music of this scene and developing afterward, in
the third and fourth parts of the work into the sub
Unity of passion. Even the most careless listener,
however must have been struck by the great differ
ence between the pure and lofty sentiment
OF the Wakyrie and the fiery spirit IN
the music of Segmund and Siegnde
who next came up from the valley flying together
from Hundings house. Their duet in this situation
was marked by the greatest intensity OF feellng
Siegnde imagining that she heard the horn OF her
pursuing husband, until at last she fell exhausted IN
Siegnund's arms and he laid her senseless on
bank Briinnhilde then appeared to tho hero
destined for Walhalla There was an exquisite dia-
logue in which she announced his fate, and replied
to his questions TO the future state. When she
told him that Sieginde would not be with him there
he drew his sword that they might both die together
Br;nnhilde. moved by the spectacle of their love,
promised to disobey her father and point ont
Hundng for death instead of Siegnund Now the
clouds began 10 settle over tue rocks, the horn OF
Hunding was heard in the distance and Siegmnnd
running to meet him was lost to view in the msts
We heard the voices of the two men, and through
occasional riffs in the clouds, by the light OF VIVA
flashes which accompanied the stormy music oil the
orchestra We saw them conflict on the summit OF
the ridge. Then the form of Briinnhllde appeared
in the sky, holding her shield over Siegmund. but
suddenly on Hunding's side red light broke forth
and Wotan was seen extending his spear, against
which Sieanunds sword was shattered and the hero
fell. ......,,. NM,
Again there was an hours rest, and we came 70
the famous third act, with much OF when Americans
are already somewhat acquainted. The introduce
ton brought us to the well-known Walkiiren-Ritt
somewhat slower and less energetic than we are ac-
customed To hear it at home. When the curtain
rose one of the sisters was looking ont upon the
clouded sky from the top of high rock ; three
others were grouped around. They watched for the
return of the rest OF their number from battle
fields and as often IA one seen in the distance
the watchers raised their weird cry, HoJo-tohO'
Then across the sky at the back, in flash OF ght
ming passed the figure Of mounted Walkyrle, wlth
the corpse of warrior thrown across the Saddle
The Illusion produced by sort OF magic lantern
was very well managed Each Walkyne as she
arrived was supposed to leave her horse III wood
to the right, and came upon the stage IN propria
persona 10 Join the strange chorus. The last to come
IL hnNf A.
from the wrath of her father, and she brought not
the body Of a hero, but the living Sieglnde, for
whom she begged the protection OF her sisters. The
concerted passage in which the Walkyrles inter
coded for Briinnhde was a remarkable example OF
Warmers ability IN n kind of composition which he
seldom employs because his dramas seldom afford
occasion for IT, The interview between W0tan and
Briinnhille was full of beauty that l hardly
know how 10 describe il. The anger OF the god was
mingled with the sorowful tenderness of the father
and the music of Briuuhilde was one long success
sion of the most superb and moving strains. In no
previous part Of the work had passion risen To such
intensity and emotion found such sympathetic ex-
preston. The last scene, known in our concert
rooms as "Wotan's Absched," took place in the
twilight. The god pressed his daughter in a long
embrace, aud laid her to sleep under spreading
ash lie covered her face with her helm. He laid
her long shield upon her breast; Then we heard the
fire musc-slowcr, / thought, than we have
n al Homeland all along the ridge OF
rocks across tho middle OF the stage the flames
sprang up. The steam effect used here with en-
tire success and az the red yapOr curled upward to
the roof il was difficult not to believe that the scene
WAS II ally in flames. Now ut least, If never before
did we realize how great creation this wonderful
finale is and a. the curtain fell there a general
outbreak of enthusiasm, with shouts and clapPng
Of hands. The performance began ut 20 minutes
after and ended ut 10.
There were none of the dsarrangements OF
the mechanism such "a were noticed tho first
night. On the other hand there was per-
ceptible disarrangement in some of the voices.
Wotan was evidently very much fatlgucd. and
Fricka was not as good before. Niemann
cannot like. His voice is worn and
husky and his love-maling is brutal.
Like the Others he suffers no doubt from the unpar
alleed labor Of getting ready for this extraordinary
performance. The singing of nearly all the artists
was better at the dress rchearsas than it is now and
il was better yesterday than il is tonight. The
Briinnhde however was quite equal To the work
thrust upon her. Frau Maerna, the fayorte of the
Vienna opera house. is tall and stOutly-built wO
| man. not too corpulent for her hight, yet with
| ungraceful fullness about the back and shoulders.
| She has a noble and pleasing face, prominent aud
regular features black haIr, expressive eyes and
shapely hand and arm. Her voice is large, clear,
and abundant; her intonation is pure in point of
culture she ranks with the very best artists OF Ger
| many while in dramatic power, intelligence, and
| conscientiousness she has few superiors. She is
| indeed an exceptional artist. Most of the German
singcrs-eyen the best-wll not be at the trouble of
saving their voices. However, the faults and merits
of individual actors and actresses of moment
| coInuarison with the greater questions involved