The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-19

Either 10y reason OF the GOODNESS Of the
might or else on account II the coilnoss OF the
public toward Wagncr's 81 ra. the Academy
was not as well illlcd last evening a. during
the previous week. "luhnnAGin" evidently IL
IN" more popular work. and yci the Tam
haUscr' has as poctical a subject. ~ stirring
dramatic situations and ~ noble music rs the
"Lohcngr n" ltwould bed rirult TO recall in tho
whole range Of lyrical literature grandcr
scenc than that OF the assembly of the knights
at the War,burg in the great contest
OF song which j. the theme Of tn second at
- this work. That Wagner wrote up 20
hrVo. Tho music that he mes glNen TO
-umr OF tho contestants Is so uum"lodious
b RI. unrhy'hmi. al. and dl~~nuuut as 70
Zoe almost tInigl. The composer seemed To-
q -ul-" has lu~s lDll ties. and. where We should
naturally expect melody and beauty OF nut
putting in their stead harsh aud un-
singabe passage. Ii the opera is NOT a
Ippulnr one. II Is simply because NAg-
nrr chose not to make II So For certainly
hr has demonstrated again and again his ~
paelty for writing pleasing music when ne Wi us
a. do 80. In ihi- very second at IL some Of the
most beautiful that could be conceived. W re-
fer TO the opening march and chorus that ut
tends the gathering of the knights at this tour.
nam"nt Of song. and TO much OF the concerted
music Of the act.
Ii would be- very easy to find occasion to speak
slgliinEy ~ tue p"riornnnc" ana 10 compare
II with such splendid and finished representa-
tions ~ this opera receives ut Munich.
But that would be an unfair standard
Of excellence 1t is rather 10 be con-
sidcred whether The best material lint
use of and whether the opera has boen placed
upon tue stage with proper attention aud re-
hcarsal. And on the whole and IN view OF the
vast difficulties that the work itself
presents. We certainly thlnk that the
performance was one worthy oi much
commentator. some Of the leading parts
wrrs most praiseworthy. Madam" Pdrp"n-
"A I % A
ktzdbeth. MIR. Adams. though snilnrng from
hoarsnrss. sang admirably. ana Nr. Frtsh
here. as On all other occasions, when he has
appeared during tn" present season gave
strength to the con rrt"d parts, and CAV"
pleasure 10y the beauty of his VoI -
any solo parts 10 render That he was Il Little
az iault in the music assigned To h.m ia the
seem. OF the prizc cont. ~ WIS not to hr wou-
drrrd at. II the Music " re- really written
with intent to head a singer u-irny and
into wrong keys. 1t could hardy have
accomplished the purrrsn b"tt r than what
Wagner has -rru III Ia write. aud the piano ace
uuionc IN this Erection, Mr.. Blum "'us io
hakru natural affinity for Wagner. AMI nothing
puts him out. lie has won iOr himsrl constant
and increasing cr' DIT this s"rSun. ~ 10 g."
chorus. It is t. he rrinru.h'r' mat lIry hnve
been brought mp ON Oprri.- an r the ltl-
ian lnrthoi, no wonder Tint thr5 DO not
idNo kindly 10 Wagner. Tine or9hrsin WAS
somewhat increased in numbers. bat Nh" piano
ihat WAS used VAS u very poor sulei tut e
the hnrD that should have hn0 % ia lt- lid'r, and
quite altered the color aud churn ter ut the
music IN which It takes So conspicuous "A part
ma this opera. Io-mOrroW evening NrrIls
Trovatofe' is TO be- sung by TINS company IN