New-York tribune., 1876-09-01

SIEGFRiED'S MADNESS.
Tn the second act we returned to the hall of Gun
ther. but this tmc we saw the exterior 1t was dark
night when the curtaiu rose. aHd Hagen with spear
and shield sat leaning asleep against one of the col
umns of the porch. As the moon suddenly threw a
little light upon the scene we became aware OF
fo,re crouching at Hagen's knee, and whispering to
hin, as he slept Ii was Alherieh, who came to urge
him ON to the murder of Siegfred and the seizure OF
the ring and helmet. There was something awful in
music scene, and action alike, as Alberich whls-
pered his wicked suggestions into the ear OF his son.
and Hagen with fixed gaze and motioniess figure
answered in dull aud half articulate way, as one
who dreams of crime and welcomes temptation III
his sleep. In many respects the passage seemed to
me one of the most marvellous in the whole work for
originality and strength, and when the figure OF
Alberich gradually melted away, and hls voice came
to ms out of the impenetIable darkness into which
he disappeared-"S Sci treu, Hagen, mem Sohn! Sei
treu! Sci treup'-the effect was little less than
ayful Morning then dawned to a little orchestral
passage of great beauty. and hardly was the sun up
before Segfred, who had left Briinnhide with Gnn-
ther, and transported himself back to the Glib
ichungs hall by the power of the helmet, appeared
in his proper form and called earnestly for Gu
trune. Hagen, by blast upon his horn and loud
cali, summoned the men of Gibichung to assemble
men came hurryng upon the scene. not trooping
forward in a body and planting themselves ina still
row down the side Of the stage after the absurd Gus
tom of the conventional opera, but elamberng over
the rocks from all directions, one or two at tlme
and taking natural and picturesque positions here
and there each man having something 10 say as he
came forward, asking the meaning of the CALL until
the whole combined in splendid four and SIX part
chorus-the first instance of the employment OF
IL Tho
music for the Walkyries. Hagen babe them prepare
sacrifices and make ready for wedding, and even
RS he spoke Gunther and the captive bride, Briinn-
hide arrived in the boat and hailed with joy
full acclamatiOns. The whole of tins chorus,
OF more properly concerted music is in
Wagnef's grandest manner When Segfried
came forth from the house leading Gutrune by the
hand, and followed by the women of the chorus,
Brinnhilde was OverpOwered with horror and
amazement but Siogfried did not know her. Rcccg-
nizing the ring however on his finger she guessed
the trick that had been played upon her. and wildly
denounced Siegfried a traitor. She declared that
she was already welded to him and would have
none other for her husband and Gunther. who did
not know Of Siegfrieds relations with Briinnhide,
was flied with suspicion and resentment, of which
Hagen took advantage to plot with him for Sieg-
fried's death. must not dwell too long upon the
incidents of this crowded and exciting scene.
Siegfried swore upon the point OF spear
that he had been true to his oath OF
brotherhood Briinnhde rushed forward and swore
to the truth of her accusation. The rage
of the injured woman, the amorous infatnat.on of
Siegfriod the timid and halting trcachery of
Gunfher the malignity of Hagen, the perplexty OF
the multitude, were all portrayed with amazing
vividness in music which, though not strictly an en-
semble. contained concerted passages of the most
brilliant character. Dramatically it is one of the
noblest Wagner has ever written, Brinuhilde being
the central eure about which all the other person.
sees group themselves and to whose glorious pas
sion all the other sentiments of the composition
seem to be tributary. When the people had
dispersed, Hagen induced Gunther to aid
him in comprising SIegfried's death, and
by working upon the jealousy and
Just resentment of Brinnhilde he learned from her
that the yolsung was vulnerable only in the back
1t seemed as if we were to go on from one grand
scene TO another still grandef, and the excitement
became almost painful when the great chorus was
followed by the still greater trio In which the emo
tons Of these three characters found such foTcble
expression. Il was a trio which wOnld alone have
made the success Of any ordinary oper: IL was in
the truest sense -melodious; and yet the tune IN
the voice parts by means distinctly marked
Hero We had an excellent example of the correctness
of Wagners theory. An Italian composer woaid
have suspended the action of the drama while
soprano baritone and bass nnwound in turn the
measures of a cantilena; Wagner allows them to
give free expression to the Language Of passion, wle
the orchestra, doing what voices alone were
compelled to do in the old school, supplies what
is necessary 90 shape the whole into an eloquent and
complete melody The scene was interrupted by the
appearance of a troupe of children, dancing and
strewing branches and flowers, and then came the
wedding procession, GutTune i'll the midst, borne
al xuqll nKT H(r
side. Gunther took Briinnhilde by the hand and
forced her to join the cortcge. Then the curtain
fell
DESTRUCTION OF WALHALLA.
In the third act, siegfried separated from his COM
panions in hunting party came 10 beautiful spot
Oh the Rhine. where the path led down among trees
and bushes from high bank to the brink of the
river. There tho Rhine daughters, exquisite
creations of this most poetieal of musicians,
rose to the surface with their beautiful
cong They besougbt Siegfriod to restore
the ring, but he refused When his com
panioDs overlook him they proceeded to make good
cheer; and Segfred seated in the middle, tod the
story of his adventures. The music became more
and more wonderful as we approached the catas-
trophe. Accompanying Siegfrieds narrative, the
orchestra reviewed TO speak all the prominent
points of his career. We had tire song of the
smithy and the pipingOf the birds. Just then two
ravens flew across the stage. 'rhose are the har-
bingers" cried Hagen, " of your coming to Wotanj
and as Siegf1ed turned to look at them, Hagens
spear pierced his back, In the hour of death the
hero recovered his and IN an exquisite song
with highly original accompaniment in which
harps in harmony and the violiDs play prominent
II IL