The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-28


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BArREuTH, July 26.--If Baireuth look
ed strange on yesterday, to-day 1t has
been quite unacceptable. Trains have
been pouring visitors into the town ever
aimee morning, and at times the streets
have been as crowded as Broadway. II Is
obvious that all these people have not come
for the first performance, for the Theatre
could not hold one-quarter OF them. Many
will attend later performances. and came
carly from curiosity. Others seem merely
visitors from neighboring towns, who have
come as to any other .fste. Among royal
guests who arrived to-day arc the Grand
Duke and Duchess OF Mecklenburg- Schwern
and the Grand Duchess Marie Paolowna OF
Russia. These and others have apart
ments in the new palace placed by the
King at the disposal OF the festival COM
mittee. The different appearance OF the
streets Is not only because OF crowds, Dut
the Baireuthers had all laid In large sup
NV Of bunting, and on every side are seen
sfreamers OF blue and white, the Bavarlan
colors. and black, white, and red, the Ger
man colors. The decorations are not SO
general, however, nor so elaborate as IN
iS76, when the King Of Bavaria and the
Emperor OF Germany were here. Ihere
are 70 be no Examinations moi fireworks,
but still there Is creditable festival dis
play.
THE HOUSE.
The Kings box was empty. On the
right hand side OF the Princes Gallery
were the Grand Dukes OF Sake Weimer,
Saxe-Meinengon, Neutrality-suspicious.,
and the Duchess OF Edinburgh and suites.
On the left hand side were List, Wag-
ner's family and the Countess OF Scbleintz,
Count Apponys, and few others. The
house was full, scarcely an empty seat being
in view because of the great number OF
well-known people present.
THE PERFORMANCE.
At about 4 O'Clock the fanfare summon
ing the audience to their places was heard,
and five minutes aiterward the tap from
Herr Lewis baton brought silence. The
overture was then begun, and as 1t pro-
ceeded the lights were turned gradually
down until the house was in almost COM
pIete darkness, when the curtain went up.
The first act was admirably given. The
scenery was very beautiful, and no hitch
occurred in the intricate machinery. The
work OF the singers was excellent, and
this was true, indeed, OF all three acts.
There was no such accident as married the
production Of the "Ring dies Nibelun-
gen." The cast was very strong and
the scenic effects were remarkable. Ma
terna distinguished herself signally, sing
ing with all the breadth, intelligence, and
finish which marked her work in New
York. Her acting was strong and pic
turesque, but not exaggerated. Winkel-
mann made a capital Parsifal; Scarla also
was admirable, and Hill was good but not
remarkable. Reichmann was excellent.
The chorus sang extremely well, particu-
larly the Blumen- Maidchens. The orches-
ira was satisfactory without being phe-
nomenal in point of quality, tone, or finish
OF execution. The performance, on the
whole, was thoroughly satisfactory, not one
serious shortcoming being observable from
beginning to end.
THE VALUE OF "PARSIFAL."
It is not easy, perhaps not possible on
first hearing, to give the true precise rank
that " Parsifal" will take among Wagner's
works. The strongly religious sentiment
which pervades two acts OF it gives IL
character unlike that OF any other OF his
operas. The score contains many passages
OF great beauty. the overture, some OF
Gurnemanz's music, the choruses in the
Hall OF the Grail in the first act, the scene
between Kundry and Parsifal and the Blu
men, Maidchens music in the second act and
the early part OF the third act being among
the best. On the other hand much OF the
music is somewhat mOnotonOus and unin-
teresting, and the climax is not remarkably
strong. Considerable enthusiasm was
manifested after the first and second acts,
but there was less after the third act.
WAGNER SPEAKS.
After the first act Wagner was called for
and made short speech, deprecating being
called for. After the third act he was again
summoned and made short speech, eulo-
giving the artists, and on the conclusion OF
his remarks he led a round of vehement
applause for them. They were earnestly
called for, but did not appear. The audi
ence dispersed quietly, apparently much
pleased.
THE KINGS COMING.
It is uncertain when the King OF Bavaria
will come. He may come tomorrow, In
which case u special performance will be
given for him in the evening. There are
no Examinations or other demonstrations
in the town tonight.