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

distance between the front row of seats and
| the curtain. The scene-pantng is magnificent
Every picture shows the sentiment and hand of an
artist in idea and treatment There is none of the
false brillancy and glarng color OF the coDven-
tiOnal stage decorators the painting is not the
atrical at all, but it is truthful. The cos
tunes, upon which Wagner has spent great
pains and enormous sums of money, are
not only brilliant, but they poetical.
Finally, the actors, though differing in degrees Of
merit, are all mbued with the spirit of the drama
and the music. Not one of them thinks Of such q
thing as singing to the audience, coming down to
the front. Here is indeed remarkable gathering Of
distinguished artists. and of are likely to
see such an assemblage again. The orchestra Is
band of virtuosi, and under Richter's admirable
direction interprets the score with the utmost deli
cacy, sentiment and breadth Of expression. Sink
ing it out of sight not only helps the illusions of the
but promotes the complete blending Of instru-
ments and voices SO that the orchestra, though it
comprises l16 Instruments is never NOISY. It is not
equasto the Thomas orchestra in unity or brilliancy
III the tone of of the brasses, but the homas
orchestra is one of the great ones Of the world
THE AUDIENCE.
For some weeks, you may well believe, this
phenomenal theater has been the center Of attrac-
ton for a musical Europe, aud the streets Of quaint
and dccayed Bayrcuth have been in continuous
holiday attire. The decorations put up for the King
remained to be refreshed and enlarged for the EN-
peror. Every day the crowds grew larger; the dill
Guilty of getting food and lodging serious. Be-
fore the festival approached mark and a half
day 81 cents good price for lodgings without
board even in the best hotels. Now II or Is marks
are charged for indifferent accommodations. and
rooms arc lard to fluid ut that price. Last
night saw q gentleman sitting in the roadway on o
pile of luggage for which he could hud no shelter,
and all the day before people had been running
frantlcaily about town IN vain search of even the
meanest bed. The lodgings committee" organ
lied to fad homes for strangers seems to have done
it's work carefully and systematically for all who
sought its assistance in advance, but too many peO-
pie have come here without warning, only TO find
that the rooms all gone. Among these improve
dent pilgrims am sorry to say are many OF my own
countrymen. have met twenty-five or thirty ac-
quaintances Of my own from New-YoTk aud several
from Boston, aud the number of Americans in town
yesterday was said to be over a hundred and fifty
number which will be greatly increased before tho
festival closes Among the musical people best
known IN our own city who had arrived on Friday
were Miss Anna Mchg, Miss Minnie Hauck, Mrs.
Schirmer Dr. Damrosch, Mr.. Won lnten, Mr.. Korbay,
Mr. B. J. Lang, Mr.. Max Primer, Mr.. Theodore
Ste;nway, M A. Neuendorif. Mr. Federlein, Mr..
Carl Klauser, Mr.. Wicbusch, and Mr. Candldus.
England sends Sir Julius Benedict, Randegger, aud
the small party Of musicians of the future repre-
sented by Walter Bache. Edward Dannreuther. and
one or two others. Germany-you might count
upon the fingers of one hand all the most noted
German musicians who are not here. The railway
station for the past two days has been half given up
20 the reception of digni.aries, VINO have come in
such numbers that cannot undertake to catalogue
them. The King of Bavaria witnessed all the last
nd fLpps eli after
sending handsome letter of conTatuaton TO the
artists. At o'clock yesterday afternoon the
Grand Duke Of Weimar came III state, and
List was waiting at the station to receive
him. At the excitement eliminated with the ar
rival of tho Emperor William, attended bya very
large suite. He came in special train from Gas
tcn expressly to witness the first performances and
considering how notorious is his dstaste music,
his coming ought to be counted of the chief OF
Wagner's victories. The composer welcomed him at
the platform and after brief delay for cercmonions
ciyihtes the Emperor entered one Of the ten impe-
rial carriages sent here the day before, and was
driven to the Hermitage Palace, two miles away.
The cortege was simple enough. hlndred iireIncn
in brass limitations of Malbrinos helmet, short drab
coats and trousers discretion, kept space clear
about the station, and there was no escort. The
whole population, however was in the streets cheer.
ing and the heartest possible demonstrations were
made in front of the palace. The Grand Duke Of
Baden and Dom Pedro came to-day, and our good
friend Of Brazil is quartered at one of the hotels
Such was in part the distinguished company
which assembled tonight at the first performance.
There were titled personages in plenty; full dress
predomlnated, and the general aspect of the audi
ence reminded me much more Of fashionable opera
season than Of a hot Summer in ihis remote little
Bavarian city. There were tremendous cheers at
the entrance of the Emperor, ana When quiet was
restored the lights Immediately tuTned down,
and the poem of the Ring of the Nibelungs began.
THE RHINE DAUGHTERS.
Wagner believed that the best possible subject for
musical drama is the popular legend or myth, be-
cause il leaves the poet and composer the greatest
freedom in treatment adapts itself naturally to
dramatic purposes and appeals at once 10 the emo
ioual as distinguished from the intellectual nature
of the spectator Out of the old story Of the nbe-
nncs. The race which dwolt in tho Towels of the
ear II and wrought in metals he has constructed the
text OF his great tilogy. 1t is the story of magical
ring made by the nibcungs from the stolen treasure
of the Rhine. Like the Inst of gold il brings o
curse upon all who hold it. The gods obtain it from
the nibclUngs by force and fraud, and the overthrow
of their race is the consequence. They cannot undo
the wrong themselves have done, but they raise up
a mortal hero who of his own free will
shall accomplish the reparaton; and Siegfned
accordingly though he himself falls victim to the
curse is the means of restoring the ring to the
Rhne-daughters its original possessors. Then the
power of the gods passes away and gives place to
human FREQ will and intelligence. The story is told
in prologue and three parts, each occupying an en-
tire evening. 1t Is the prologue, " Rhclngold,"
which shall now try to describe. The instrumental
introduction depicted the restless movement of the