The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-13
The Fifteen Hundred Deadheads
Present on Each Occasion.
RUBINSTEIN AND ROYALTY.
Sticklers for PrOpriety Criticsing The Prince
Of Wales Conduct
RUSSIA HIDES A HUNGARIAN POET.
lpx CABLE TO THE HERALD.

LONDON May IL. 1871
This week has been devoted by the London
musical world to the study worship and. naturally
in some cases. to the abuse OF wagner and the
music OF the future. At the nrst concert Albert
Hall was only half dlled. The paying audience con-
| sisted mainly OF Germans and Americans, while
there were at least 1900 deadheads-that Is to say
seat holders. The balcony and gallery were
sparsely nled The prices are altogether too high
Three thousand persons. including The deadheads,
left when the concert was thrcc-fourths over.
There were present the Duchess OF Edinburgh,
Princess Teck Princess Louise and other members
OF the royal family.
From his virtual excitement among the Franco.
Man hills from the quiet and scclusion and perhaps
deafness OF villa Wahnfrieu, in the ancient and
decayed city OF Baireuth, Wagner was induced to
come forth into the great world. He has been here
twice before. In 1899 be came to England with
'Rienzi" in his portfolio and then in 1855 Wagner
stayed few days London The directors Of
the Philharmonic Society offered him the
post Of conductor, when, it Is said, the
Prince Consort, much struck by Wagner's
music, desired to see ''rannhAuser" produced
in Italian. The German musician, however, soon
lett, taking with him to Paris the germs OF "The
Flying Dutchman,n which was destined to have
such an influence at a later date in making his
music popular in England wagner's idea in visit
ing England at the present time cannot be inter-
preed In the most favorable light. lie has not con-
tha fact INT hn Ia tiv ~
filing up the deficit in his Nibclungen treasury as
OF making the English musica: world acquainted
with the beauties and wonders of his creations.
THE BAIREuTn DIMrNUESpo.
II was, as you are aware Wagners intention to
give repetition of the Bareuth performances this
year, but the circular Of invitation which he issued
gave such offence to the Germans and to King Ludwig
Bavaria that he was compelled by the lack OF SYM
patty to postpone the performances to better and
happier days. Now it seems likely enough that the
prospects Of Baireuth are worse than ever, for
Wagner has sold the right OF performing the entire
tetralogy of the "Rlng Of the Nibeungcn' to the
Leipsic Stadt Theatre, TO Munich ana to Vienna
1t Is not very probable that Wagner's
warmcst worshppers will make the journey to
Baireuth for the purpose OF hearing the "Nibelun-
gen. which can be heard to even greater advan-
tage and with more personal comfort than In Mu-
mich Vienna. But wagner's decision to visit
England was great surprise TO his friends, for the
composer has always deprecated the performance
OF his music without the theatrical concomitants
But need makes all men mortal, and Wagner has
not concealed the fact that he needs money, and
that he Is aware of John Bulls plethora OF that ma
terial
now HE CAME TO ENGLAND.
The reason Of Wagner's coming Is curious. Some
months ago there arrived in England German I'm
presario without means but DESTROYS OF doing
some thing other to make his name famous. He
made the acquaintance OF WilhelmJ, the volinist,
to whom he painted in glowing colors the profits
and fame to be obtained from provincial tour In
Great Britain. Aided by wilhelmj's Introduction
our imprcsario made raise or f5oo from q
music publishing firm who wished to adver-
tise certain famous chapel organ. The vii.
helmj tour did not prove prosperous one
and the result was loss, estimated vari.
ouSy from LOU 70 tl,UO. Inc success
or Rosa with the Flying Dutchman" had weighed
heavily upon the great vollnlst's mind, ind
aware Of tho loss to which his imprcssarlo had
been subjected he promised to secure Wagner for
the idea. They saw visions Of wealth, and Wagner
wrote letter to his friend UrhclIng accepting the
invitation. The idea was good one, but 1t is
needless to say that 1t was purely speculative, and
in all probability the spectators have made vast
miscalculation Wagner has only INST been re-
veaed 70 the English musical pubic. | have no
hesitation In saying that the production OF Tam.
hauser'' and "Lohengrin" by the Italians did NOT
reveal the beauties OF Wagner. no hesitation In
saying that the Italians iail to grasp the poetry
OF these two bcautiiu. creations ana to AlbanI and
Nilsson, who are OF Tcutonic blood, is due The
credit OF inspiring the neroncs or the two above.
mentioned operas with life and beauty. But 1t was
left to Rosa and the Flying Dutchmann to create
the first operate Jurcrs with wagncr's music in
England and to reveal the musical ana poctical
beauties OF the wagnerian creations. Wen, taking
advantage Of the Wagner excitement Wagner was
induced to undertake the personal direction Of SIX
concerts at the Albert Hal, for which he was to
receive sum stated at $1,000 onGon was then
duly placarded, wIlhclmjs name appearing us chief
OF orchestra and Dauncreuther as leader OF rchear
sails. Wagner himself became enthusiastic for the
idea after he had once accepted; he wrote out the
entire programme with his own hand; he selected
the acts pieces and overtures himself and selected
his singers Ihavc seen page after page OF seec.
and the singers duly appointed.
THE COMPANY.
The singers are Nine. r. Matcrna, or the Opera