The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-13

Mime 80. ............ Carl schlosser Munich.
The wanderer....... Franx Bstz. Berlin
l.ada ~; :............ .Iuss Ialis Darm.taes
THE TWILIGHT or rmx GODS
sieghed ............ Georg unger. Baireuth
isssn Ea.,ay ;sI5 Wsl.Saden
n,rnns Aa,s,s, Ma Weras,n
Waltraute. .Luise Iade. Darmstait
The festival promises to be most charming II tho
weather remains fine. Wagner keeps open house, and
his constantly filed with guests Tho En-
peror Of Germany often driving ont to tho
points Of interest in the vicinity few days ago he
was shown the costumes and ornaments and appeared
delighted. All the costumes and ornaments do
signed by Professor Doeppier of Berlin (who has been
for nearly a year in Baireuthl from the best aud
oldest authorities in the European museums. The
costumes which have secn in the rehearsals. arc
unique and of great historical value The scenery
surpasses anything that has ever been done on any
stage Some Of tho scenes OF grandeur and
beauty that surpasscs ali description The ELECTS Of
light are beautiful true 10 nature, exaggerated and
OF great artistic beauty think express the opinion
of most unbiased musica, critics here when ! say
that the Nibelung cycles form the grandcst and most
majestic M usica work that Wagner has yet composed;
and though We lose much the lyric charm character
lstic of the composer as expressed in the music or
..I.ohengrinn aud ''Tannhaussr," tho Ring oil the
'Nibc!ungen" must be dccisrcd the nobcst and most
imposing musical creation ever placed upon the Stage
The invisible orchestra great success Ono hundred
and twenty members took part, while many others
were ready to supply any gaps that might have been
caused by sickness. The sound issuing IRON mys-
ferrous depths unperceived by tho audience, has
wonderfully grand aud pleasing enoct, accompanying
the scenic like grand oratorio now ascending
In soothing waves, now In volumes terrific In ef
feet but ever tho action the character and
motives tho persons before like some vast voice
from mysterious world. The acoustic properties Of
the theatre have proved 10 be perfect The ventilation
good, but the dim light which Wagner allows to his
audience is somewhat wearying. The rehearsal have
just witnessed may be considered the first represent
taton although private and for the King Of Bavaria
was, however permitted to be presen. through the
kindness OF Mr.. Wagner.
The Emperor OF Germany aud his suit arrived In
Bareuth this afternoon and met with most enthus-
astic reception. There torchlight procession
dark and grand scrcnadc at Schloss Hermitage.
SKETCH OF RICHARD WAGNER
wilhelm Richard Wagner born Lepsc, Nay
~ 1873 His father, who was police actuary, died
SIX mouths after his birth HIS stepfaher, Ludwig
Gcycr was and painter IN Dresden, 10 which
city the family removed He also died when Wagner
was only seven years old Al years Of age Wagner
en,cred the Dresden Krcuzschule and as yet showed
no inclination for music AT length no commenced to
piano lessons but his teacher could mako nothing
out Of HIM. Greek, Latin, mythology and ancions
history made up his chief employment until he was
eevou years In those studies he made astonishing
progress projecting tragedies alter the Crock model and
translatng the Odyssey. He acquired knowledge Of
English that he light know Shakespeare thoroughly
He designed u great tragedy, sort OF compound Of
md ~ IN th0 first
persons pershcd and he obliged to rcnroduee
thom toward the end as ghosts. The first impression
made the youthful mind II Wagner BY the divine
was through Beethovcn's music. 1t decided his
future carecE His disncnaton for study led him a
first into the widest absurdities undiscplined fancy
governing his earliest compositions Under the tuition
OF Theodore Weinlig h0 pursued his musical studies
~.th regularity, and the results were
very promising His first OPERA ''The Nuptials " was
composed In 1882 at Vienna. which followed
at wur,xburg In tho following year by "rhe Fairios"
.The Love Veto" founded ON "Ncasure for Measure"
came next, about the time Wagner appointed
musical director OF tho Magceburg Theatre HIS frst
marriage took place in 1885 Alter two years. soourn
Riga sailed London, and, having encountered
storms the Norwegian coast, he conceived the
OF writing opera the subject OF he Flying
Dutchman. Previous to this voyage ho sketchod out
two acts Of ''RicnzL"
After u brief stay In London Wagner went to Paris,
where he mado tho acquaintance Of Aeyerbecr, who
was very kind to him. This tho most trying Pc
rod Of his lie, no met with nothing but rebus and
poverty 1912 "Rionzi" was produced at Dresden.
'The Flying Dutchman" In ls43 and 'TanDhaiser' Ia
1s45 He became cmbroied In the revolution Of 184s and
compelled to fly to Switzerland In Zurich he CON-
posed .'Lohcngrinn and part OF the Nbelungen." 10
1858 he established himself in Muni(s and found there
u nrm friend tho young King, Ludwig. 'rristan
Isolde" appeared 1866, ''DIe Mcistersnger Won
Nurnberg" In 1883 and "Rhcingoid the Introduction
TO tho Trilosy. 1862 Six years ago the Baircuth
festival WAS projected wagncrs present wife is the
daughter OF List, and Was formerly Nine. Won Bulow
The work which will be given to the public for the first
time during tho present week the climax oil wagners
cl.t.r