The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-18
THE TRTUMPH or WA0NER.

ling from Hamburg by way of Berlin and Leip-
zig, arrived just In time to take my first dinner
at the place OF our destination IN comp nv with
cert In Rhine maIdens and wolkyren. The Vop-
eral Dustle and confusion showed the excite
inent produced bv the approach of the great
musical festival. From hour to hour grows the
number of visitors hurrying hther from all
quarters Of the world. and one can hardly esti-
mate tho number Of friendly embraces and
h lndshakinGs which will be indispensable dur
Ing the next fortnight. Amid ali the hustle on
street and square, the labor OF preparation goes
on,steadilv and earnestly, among the artists who
are to participate In the great work. Nothing
could he n0er than the inspiration with which
the sinners and musicians 90 about their du-
ties, all urged on by the sole desire Of satisfying
the illustfious creator Of the "Iing OF the
Nibelungen."
Rehearsas, general or In detail. are always
gong on. The first principal rehearsal OF the
Rhelngold" had unlucky taken place the day
before my arrival in Bayleuth, but yesterday
had the good fortune to be present at the prn-
cipa rehearsal OF tue "w0lkyre," OF which |
shall have some details to communicate. First,
a few words about the theatre. IL L. situated
on a hill at one OF the most beautiful spots In
tho ncighborhood Of Bayreuth. H is visible
from far and near. and commands a good view
OF the city with all the surrounding villages on
the slOuing hill sides. he prospect Is charm
ing. especially as the scene lies smiling before
the eyes Of the spectator who steps out IN the
entr'actes.woary aud bewildered from close at
tention to the drama. Nothing strikingy
shows the inherent truth Of wagners creations
as the fact that they are yer found IN contrast
tOtth actual nature. 1t Is a mere exchange to
pass from the theatre into the open air and back
again. Nature and art are not here conceived
as oppostes, but as sisters In friendly union.
But - get back to the theatre. The first i'm
preston Ia one Of general unity and fitness
closely combined, and further experience only
demonstrates the admirable good sense OF the
masters arrangements. The orchestra tunes
up, but no one sees either musicians or leader,
both being, by an ingenious arrangement, CON
cealed from the eyes OF the public. Suddeuly
Wagner appears ON the stage before the cur
tain, and gives the leader, Visible to him though
not to the spectators, few instructions. As he
stcps back the trumpet rims out, ia full and
powerful tones, the "Sword thome" AS "A signal
for the commencement OF the rehearsal. After
q moment of deep silence the orchestra begins
the music descriptive OF the storm from which
Siecmund takes refuge in Hundiug's cabin. Tue
tone v powerful and takes possession OF the
hearers senses with magcl force; the strings
ere entrancInsly nne. the reed instruments soft
aud tender aud the or .ss full aud rich. Power
fuI as are the orchestral effects often massive
In Waeners musc--the voices Overtop them,
fun aud clear, ana the scenic impression IL more
than doublei by the arrangement which keeps
the orchestra out OF sight.
The curtain IL now drawn aside, from the
middle outward. Siegmund fainting with
weariness. PUSHES into Hunding's chamber.
lighted only by the alimmer from the hearth,
and the tragedy begins. In the imoossi ity Of
sketcnine all the details ~ the rehears Il, let me
cite few Of the principal features. The Arst
scene Is inexhaustibiy rioh In depth of expres
sion. Sicgmund's exhaustion, Scglinde's sym
pathy, aad, to crown ali. the wonderful love
scene at the end OF the act-al seize upon the
sense and 'e'inz OF the spectator with irresi-t-
ible force. es ecislly a. interpreted by such an
artist as Niemaln. In thu performance OF this
unequalled dramatic artist, impressiyeness Of
exterior, plastic psntomime, cearness Of ao-
cent and pnrasing combine with his m jestic
v0Ice to produce the most forceful effect. lie
Is ably seconded by the represent tive Of lirnn-
hide, Nine. M4terna ~ Vienna, ard you may
fancy the eject OF these two great singers In the
Duet OF the second act, where Btnnhildo up-
pears and announces to SieGrund his approach
ins drAth, sceae whioL traverses the whole
scale Of feeling at fir cilm, then stern, til it
rises 20 the expression OF tho most pred Is.
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