Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1882-08-03
The "ParsifaI" Costumes.
The Plates Brought to New York by a
ECostumer who Divulges Some of the
Nystertes of the Stage.


fsCostumer who DivuIges Some of the
Mystertes ofthe Stage.
[From the New York World
The original plates of costumes designed
by Rudolf Seitz for the Wagner opera of
''Parsifal, " which was, as announced in the
special cable despatch to The World, per
formed in the Wagner Theatre, at Beyreuth,
Bavaria, are in this city in the possession of
Mr.. w. Dazian, the theatrical costumer, of
No. 26 Union Square. Mr.. Dazian recently
returned from Bavaria and while in Europe
he met Wagner. He learned from him that
the plates were for sale, and purchased
them for $500. There eighteen pictures,
each of which is colored to represent the
actual fabric. The pictures are mounted on
card board of gray, Sx10 inches, each picture
being 6x7 inches in dimensions. The plate
descriptive of the mythical character OF Kun
dry, in which Frau Materna achieved such
success, is divided into two half plates. The
first is the costume worn in the first scene
a gray gold half tunic, reaching to the knee,
is drapsd over flesh colored tights, reaching
to the foot. The feet are clad in half san
dial of leopard skin. Over the shoulders is
thrown cloak of bear skin, which falls
almost to the feet. Around the waist is
broad girde of serpents of gold. A cowl of
gray covers the head and the costume is
adorned with barbaric ornaments, worn by
the ancient Huns. The second half plate
describes the costume worn in the second
scene; HcSn-cOlOrcO LrlcOG is ucapeQ In
gold Embroidered white gauze. The bracelets
and necklace are of beaten gold. The dress.
which is of damask reaches to the feet, but
from the waist opens at the side and in front,
thus showing the desh-colored silk hose. A
short sword with curious handle of gems
completes the costume Parsifal's costume
is gray tunic with a drapery of tiger skins
Broad gold bands cross each other upon the
shoulders. The tunic reaches to the waist,
and the limbs are clad in yellow and green
tights A short sword two or three inches
in width, with handle of plated gold. is
worn at the side The figure stands erect
and in the left hand holds a bow of ivory,
stained red. Over the right shoulder is a
culver full of arrows. Gurmenzs costume is
like that of Parsifal, only the material is of
light green color and no sword is worn.
The King is dressed in a robe of damask
trimmed with gold and silver with a tunic of
dark material beneath on the head is plain
gold crown, the apex and sides of which are
inlaid with brilliants.
The flower madens of the chorus are clad
| in flesh colored tunics and short cloaks of
gauze of gold draped from the shoulders way
down the back. The male chorus wear tunics
of yellow and green, with white over-skirt of
gauze. The remainder of the plates are des-
criptive of the other characters and are vari-
atoms only of the costumes already described
The King of Bavaria has especially designat
cd Herr Rudolf Seitz as the designer of all
| the costumes used in Wagner's operas.
He designed those of the "Ring of the Nibel-
ungs." His work is personally supervised by
Wagner and over a year was spent in perfect
| ing the details of these costumes. Mr.. Dali
an purchased the plates for the purpose of
| placing them in his library.
Fifty years ago, when the dramatic art of
| America was in Its infancy, at No 280 Bow
| cry. the elder Dazian opened a modest little
| store where the actors and actresses of the
| day purchased the few articles needed to rep
1 fha ohor nf he 1ror Of he
| time. AS years passed on the theatre became
more popular, and the Dazians moved with
| the tide to their present location. AS the
reporter stepped into the store yesterday a
| knight in FURNISHED armor seemed to bar the
| way. His mail-clad hand rested upon his
sword, and it seemed as if, like the statue in
| ''Giovanni'', he would march from his post
| of vantage and dash down his gauntlet in
honor of his stair ladye.' In glass cabinet
| hung a wondrous article. 1t had the form of
| pair of trim limbs In answer to a question
| MIR. Dazian said: ooh. those are a pair of
| symmetricals for an actress at an uptown
| theatre. You that nature usual
thing does not always bestow her charms
| literally. Nine out of ten of the people of
| the theatre are deficient in FORM We obviate
this defect by judicious padding. This set of
| 'symmetricals' is for an actress who has one
! limb smaller than the other. The defect is
| remedied by weaving lambs wool padding
| into raw silk trunks This is worn as
| stocking and when the gifts are put on. both
limbs are shapely as can be, and only the
| costumer knows of the defect. We pad thighs,
| waists, arms, shoulders-in fact any portion
| of the human form. Do you that tall,
thin young man over there ?" said Mr.. Dazi
an. He will play Roman Senator's part
| with Mccullough next year. We are fitting
| him with an entire suit of pads and he will
| appear on the stage q magnificent specimen of
| manhood"
As Mr.. Dazian ceased speaking, lady en-
tered and asked us my wig ready ?" In q
moment she was handed the article Step
ping with matter of-fact air to looking
| glass near by she transformed herself from a
brunette to a blonde. AS the lady left the
store Mr.. Dazian said, ''She plays at Boston
next week. But the funny thing is that that
wig-which cost SIS by the way-is not for
stage, but for street wear. Last year the
rage was brunettes this year blonde with
dark eyes is the proper quality of beauty
desired. A blonde wig, a little gold dye upon
tho eye brows and the pretty brunette is @
dazzling blonde Nine tenths of the SO called
blondes of the profession are made over
brunettes. The fair complexion is purchased
by the quart, the shspely form costs sc
much pound, and the actor or actress who
at disappears behind the stage door a worr
| old man or woman, at o'clock walks to the
footlights young fair lover or a sweet littl.
dream of beauty not yet out of her teens
The audience do not see behind the scenes