The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-17
Especial dispatch to the Herald by cable. /,

EhOHl bAAnEIAhs
Especial dispatch to the Herald by cable.I
BAIREuTH, BAVARIA, August 10, 1876.
Whatever may have been the success OF
the introduction TO the Trilogy of Wagner,
"Rheingold," yesterday, it was entirely
overshadowed by the grandeur OF the repre-
sentation OF "Die WalkGre" this evening.
The impression created by the first opera OF
the Trilogy was Of the most profound char
acter. The interest taken by the many
thousand visitors who have come all the
way to the ancient home Of the Margraves
to hear the great music drama will become
more intensified with each performance.
Certainly II the success Of each part of the
Trilogy increases in the same proportion MS
has been the case between the two first per-
formances, the triumph OF Wagner will be
OF the most complete kind. There was the
same eager crowd of visitors and the same
profound attention ut the theatre during the
representation. The auditorium was dark
ened as before, but silence had to give way
to rounds OF applause in some OF the scenes.
THE FIRST ACT.
The curtain rose while the last notes OF
the VQrspiet floated up from the "mystic
abyss" and the dreary hall OF Hunding,
with q large tree in the centre, was unfoided
to view. This scene was exceeding sombre,
more so even than the music in which
Ortrud and Telrar1und reproach each other
in the beginning of the second act Of "Lo-
hengrin." There were some suggestions OF
lovely melody here and there IN the COM
mencement, but they were Of an evanescent
character. Sieglinde, represented by Ma
dame Schefzky, proved to he very un-
grateful role, as it was permeated with the
deepest melancholy, and there seemed not
to be Il single ray Of light to dispel its
gloom. Hunding {Herr Niering) was
scarcely better, although cast in moro ro-
bust form of music. The passion and eX-
preston infused into the role OF Siegmund by
the celebrated Berlin tenor, Niemann, and
the varying themes, always clad in the rich
est orchestral rainent, Of the unhappy son
OF Wotan, formed the main attraction OF the
first act. Il, .t.s MI ..tt
w0TAN AND THE vALKYR.
Nine. Amalie Materna, from the Imperial
Opera-House, Vienna, and Franz Betz, the
renowned baritone, made striking ~
pearance on the summit OF the mountain in
the second act, where they represented
Brunnhilde and Wotan. Both were arrayed
in glittering armor, and the fine dramatic
voice OF the lady gave to the extraordinary
phrases known as the Waikiire motif all the
wild effect designed by the composer.
..' ouTBURsTs OF APPLAUSE.
The scene between Br1nnhilde and Sies-
mund and Sicginde in this act, in which
the Valkyr resolved to brave Wotan's anger
and to protect the lovers, was triumph OF
the most emphatic kind. for the composer
ts,Sc Nnt,ritbSf un hi fln 1a-
sire of Wagner that no outward manifesto.
tons of applause should be INDUCED in lest
the continuity OF thought should he inter
rupted, the audience found it impossible tc
restrain their enthusiasm, and during the
second act the outbursts Of applause al
times were deafening. .,
AsCENIC TRIUMPH.
One of the grandest effects ever produced
on the stage was the camp Of the Walkiiren
in the third act. The war maidens on horse
back, each with slain warrior lying across
her saddle-bow, dashed across the stage
among crags and fir trees, all singing the
wild chant, the Walkire motif, brandishing
their spears and shaking their FURNISHED
shields. =.'f#
The close OF the opera, however, was the
principal feature OF the performance. AS
Bri1nnhilde sank into her magic slumber the
tire-god appeared at the command OF Wo
tan, and as the noble voice of Betz declaim
ed forth the words "Loge hor!" the stage
auditorium, and the surrounding plaza be-
came crimsoned with light. 1t was the mos
perfect illusion ever witnessed on any stage
One would imagine that an immense conta
grafton was in progress On this scene the
curtain closed for the last time, and then
the enthusiasm of the audience reached fe'
yer pitch.
WAGNER.
Wagner was repeatedly called for, but il
was OF no avail. He would not appear be-
fore his admirers. Then calls were made
for the artists, but they also declined to ac'
knowledge the tribute paid to them. The
performance commenced at 4 O'Clock, the
signal being given in front OF the theatre by
eight trumpctcrs, as on the previous eve
ming. At the close Of each act there was AZ
intermission of an hour, during which time
the audience betook themselves to different
parts Of the town, returning to their seat:
when the well-known trumpet-call was
heard. The curtain fell on the last act a
half past O'Clock. IT,. =.
DEPARTURE OF TIE EMPEROR OF GERMANY
The Emperor of Germany and the Other
royal personages who attended the perform
ance of Rheingold," were present this eve
ming. After the performance the Emperor
William took his departure for Babelsberg