The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-22
WAGNER.
PREPARATIONS At rHs ACADEMY OF MUSIC ZOE
THE PRESENTATIONS OF THE GREAT AUsI-
Clans WORKS ON GRAND scALE-BAI-

PREPARATIONS At THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC FOB
THE PRESENTATION OF THE GREAT NUsI-
Clans WORKS ON GRAND scALE-BAI-
nErTH TO BE RIvALLED.
Preparations are now being pushed rapidly forward
At the Academy OF Music :or the Inauguration Of
grand season Of Wagner opera Il Ia proposed 70
preseu. least four OF this composers best operas In
the chronological order In which they were written,
and in this way afford the public an opportunity Of
learning by what steps Wagner advanced from the old
Italian school Of music 10 hts present position ~
revolutions, IN operate music Nothing will DO len
undons 70 make these operas as effective rs possible
and 70 this end the very best available
talent engaged TO take part either members
OF The orchestra chorus The orchestra Is TO be
composed Of sixty nrst class musicians, and numerous
and well trained chorus has also been obtained. and
under the skiiu direction of Mr. Neuendorn the music
o. the great German composer will be presented with
completeness and intelligence Of rendition never before
Witnessed In New York
wAexRR's METHOD
For the drs, time an American audience wiz be
Afforded opportunity oil Judging the peculiar merits
O, wagners operas, which are unique IN their method
Those operas based two factors, one vocal and
the other instrumen ta-one being as essential and
necessary the other II is kinc OF dialogue carried
on between orchestra and voice. and II one tails 20
press his idea he uses the other.
Each instrument Is used as human voice and has
us independent part-not being used merely an
companying instrument as IL tho Italian school An
instrument therefore essential singer. Yes
terday HERALD reporter called M Freyer 10
whose enterprise We indebted for The forthcoming
German opera. The abandonment 0! the proposed rep
c:on Of 1.-The Ring of the Nibelungs al Baircuth
account OF Wagners IL health, will allow the New York
pubic witness this masterpiece before either the
public o. Germany, France England. II is curious
tha. 'Lohengrn' was also produced by Mr.. Neuen-
dorG before public Of London Paris had an op-
portunity OF witnessing It's performance.
Mr. Freyer received the HERALD reporter courteously
reply 10 u question as 10 how he came 10 under
take the projected season OF Wagner opera, said -
1.-The IDEA hrst suggested to me at Baireuth by
some New Workers who were admirers OF Wagners
music They not quite satisfied With hearing
Lotions from works gwen 10 tue concert room, but
desired 10 lyric representation which would give
\ moro perfect idea OF tho great composers works
For instance although one OF his carrier works The
Flying Duchman' has been given IN this city, II
60, be supposed that tongue foreign TO Richard Wag
ner could convey 10 the pubic mind an adequate
conception OF the beauty OF the works
the Flying Dutchman' rs one OF wagners most At
matte prlma donna, supported ny good atsts, would
OF Asoli be sufficient attraction for any opera season
''But Ii IL rot you: intention TO give several other
operas BY Ike same composer"
THE REPERTOIRE.
~ do not intend 70 conhne myself TO giving merely
strictly correct performance OF this one opera, but
Will also give, IN accordance with tho composers u
and elaborate instructions, Lohengrn,' 'rannhauser'
and the larger part OF the Ring OF the N!beiungs'
| have beer fortunate enough TO secure the services
OF Mr. NeuendorN, who being present at the Bal.
reuib iestiv las, summer was honored with the
composers scores u me operas above mentioned
For this o! representation have also engaged
the very dover o! the principal musical organizations
sixty number. Among these wNi DO recognized
sever oil eminent sololstA
ras CHORUS
will be composed OF forty eight sngers-young and
fresh voices Usually the ehoruses arc supposed
be composed OF some sixty, OF whom onehaif only
singers
at vii. well keep IN nd that tho Ring o! the
NibelVngs VIII 5e produced IN New York before II IS
either IL Paris or London This will give an OPP
Eortuniiy TO Europeans contemplating visit 10 tho
Cnied states IN the coming spring opportunity OF
participating in festival worthy OF the new world
and the eminent composer. | Will write 90 Wagner
to-day, requesting HIM 10 send US telegraphlc de-
spach facilitating us on the occasion Of the production
OF the Ring OF the N.beungs'n
Mr.. Freyer having exhausted his stock of nforma-
the reporter turned to Mr.. NeuendorH to learn
any additional facts that he might be possessed OF In
reference to the appearance of Wagner IN dramatic
In reply 10 the reporters inquiries Mr. Neuen-
dorT said 1.-THE first idea OF this production was
Workers who were thore present IL was then sug-
gescd give In New York The Wakure,' one Of tho
1t was thought that would probably prove
esting to the American pubic. II is pro-
posed now TO- produce It exactly as it was
produced At Baireuth under the direction of
Wagner himself. In the smallest details It will be
reproduced 50 far as is possible IN view of the differ
ences Of locality. But IN all that relates TO the scenic
orchestral and vocal effects the performance Bal
feuth viii be followed closely possible. Even the
striking fanfare which ushered Ia every act and
struck as it we're, the keynote OF the motive, viii BE-
repeated In front OF the theatre at Baireuth there
grand plateau where the fanfare was first sounded.
approaching gradually the audience, until at the
trance OF the famous sdnkon orchestra burst forth
with u and striking effect II will not be possible 20
Irving Hall will DC made to serve the purpose as well
possible There the frs. notes OF the fanfare before
ble the effects produced at Balreuth
IN DARKNESS.
"During the performance OF the different acts the
auditorium will be darKened, light being furnished 10
the musicians by simple contrivance Of shaded lamps
BY TINS arrangement tho stage will stand out boldly
like bright picture, and attention will be riveted
what IS Transporting the stage. In the theatre at
Baireuth dark the auditorium could
scarcely recognize his neighbor and in This way the at
tention audience secured for the
When the act was over the light was turned up and
then every felt If liberty had been given 10 him
to converse and immediately criticism oil the act
on vigorously among the audience"
MUSICIANS.
''Are you satisfied that the musicians you have
gagei will be equal TO an effective rendering OF wag.
ner's worksy"
any opinion about the orchestra is that IL Is tho
best that be obtained in America and will compare
iavorably with any orchestra in Europe. The chorus
also the good German opera chorus made up OF sing
who have sung Lohengrin,' The Flying Dutch
man. and 'Tannhauser already in this country and in
Germany"
THE SCENERY
will be entirely new Tor "The wakiire," aud will rep
resent accurately the presented at Barsut
Models and Photographs OF the originals were brought
The costumes Will also be entirely new. and every
effort will be made present all the operas with the
greatest completeness. The season will open the
18th of March with "The Flying Dutchman." "Tann.
hauser," 'Lohengrin' and 'rhc Waikurc" will after
ward be presented the order in which they were
written In this way the public will be able to see how
Wagner advanced in his theory Of music In the ely
ing Dutchman" he commences to develop this theory,
proceeding a step further IN "Tannhduser,n advancing
| in 'Lohengrn" and eliminating In "The Walkure"
! MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES.