New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-10
MUsJO AND The DRAMA.
THE FIFTH WAGNER CONCERT.

which fine chief characters Knights Of the Holy
Grail. The relationship moreover was somewhat
closer; the heroes to whom Herr Winkemann gave
representation in the two portions OF the programmes
were in tie legendary history which so long iasci'
ated Europe father and son-Perciya and loben-
grin Gencalogically the order was reversed IN tho
presentation, and made the acquaintance OF the
con before we were reminded by anything else than
the nrooramme of the existence OF the father. The
artistic considerations which prompted this arrange
meut however, were stronger than the sehtiine"t
which suggested different view OF the fahiiy tres
of these mythical personages, and there seeihe"'
besides, to be some proprety IN the thought thu >"
intimate an acquaintance as Lohea@in should intro
duce his stranger father.
Father and son spoke widely differing lailgu7gcs
last night and in other respects were very dSsn''
lar. The LoheagriR whom Herr Winkelmann gave
us was in his general features the operate hero
whom we have known since 1871, when he first
NADIA his anpearance in this country. True, Tea
tures which seem to the real apprcciators OF WaS-
ners art tal to the character were ted lhtoa
prominence which had not been youehsaIed tleh
heretofore through the dramatic intensity OF herr
Winkelmanns vocal delivery but this could hob
add a very marked element OF novelty TO the repre-
entation. For the suave and lovely singing when
Sicnor Campanni used to give us IN ms Dest DAYS
those of the first appearance of the Italian Lohe"
ternrctatjon of the music of the character yet one
that showed no want of appreciation Of the tender
uoss which is absolutely necessary if the true con-
oan+;on Of Lobesarigs nature and mission are To De
conveyed His accents were those OF serapihc
soldier come from the fellowship OF those who I'VE
in the sweet vision Of the Holy Grail to r seue
the wrongfully accused Elsa, and who had brought
~ an equipment bodily as well as mental and emo
tional sanity His command OF tone-coor ana ol
the elements of expression gave meaning 10 tho
due of the third act which was all but new, ana IL
was pleasure to observe how responsive Mime.
Nilsson was to the now spirit, and how it widened
the scope of her passionate expression. Naturally
Nine. Nilsson made stronger impression IN tho
lyrical music Of the third actin the love duet
than she did in the selection from the second act.
where she came in contrast with singer OF sueh
| phenomenal dramatic and musical ontht as Is tho
| nossesson of Nine. Materna.
Controsted with the fully veOped Lohengrin Pn,sd
amended as character in process OF development. In
he old legends pure knight had been reared by ais
mother in ignorance the ways OF the world his father
having died birth But the sight OF cavacade
OF Knights in their trappiEgs had stirred tne nheeo
| chvarc spirit in the gJileless youth, ana
! no had taken leave OF MS hoart-broxen
mother and set out in quest Of adventures. Having
wandered INTO the precincts of Monsayat he had shot
sacred wan and the msdeed had been brought be-
fore Anfrta had fallen from HIS estate OF purity
| nd baen
Knights OF the Grail, KH0s0r the magician had wresed
fou him after he had succumbed to the aurements OF
KiingsorS madens. The shooting OF the swan enabled
Warner to establish direct connection between the TWO
dramas by introducing in Parsal remlmscence vi
the melody which typical of the swan in Lohengrin"
After Parsat learned the Significance OF his act, which
was only that of thOughess lad, he had oeen lea ho
the temple and permitted witness the ceremony OF the
Alteration of Grail 1t was hoped that, In his SIM
| plicity, he would ask what allied the King ana
| thereby heal his wound. But he had understood
nothing OF the ceremonial which he had seen and
had said nothing For this he driven out with i'm
precatous His next adventure was the one which be-
gan the vocal extracts from the drama given last night
Parsf penetrated the enchanted garden surround
ing Kiinqso,'s palace-s place of bewidering beauty
| ike the Island OF Ogyia, where OdusSew
| tarried or the Cave of Venus in the HOrsel-
berg where Tan,,hdiser stepped himself in sensual
| delight Lovely women dressed rs flowers are sent
to seduce him by their ESTABLISHMENTS. kutd'y also
tries her arts Of ravishmen upon him. and resorts to an
arce Of shocking ethical Characteristic wins his SYM
natny by relating the story death OF his mother.
The hot kiss which she presses upon his lips however.
| opens his understanding TO his mission Finding ais
magic unavang Kings0r himself appears to give battle
TO ParsGd He hurs the ance-the same with which the
side of had been pierced-against the youths,
the sign the and enchanted palace and garden
OF the Holy Grail heals the wound OF 4ntords with
touch of the sacred spear himself made King and per
|
| whlch its Knights depend Tor sustenance. -
Pasa unhampercd by serious purpose n paSS r!
but innocent dalance with tho oe"ltem haluehs fM
Sat wlthstanding the solicitations OF haary anu oslhS
crushed the load Of grief which the sotceTtfs ree
plsces upon him; PdrSfGi feeling the dawnipg OF the
nOwer which lay his mission and Pdrstdl arrived
at the full stature of Keeper the Gran and King Of
lis Servans-then were these phases OK character "nch
Herr winkelmann had TO orlng OUT oy nis sngins
worthy One-Inspiring and edifylng In every respect
Il was only aspect OF the concert which made Herr
an exposition OF Wagnsrs museodIanatc method, tae
concert presented other features equally lnteresne aa
satisfying. The music Of the nrsL part, almost
10 a feverheat OF enthusiasm The audience In num-
beers was like that the opening night OF the Opera
House; and it was filled with an esrnestdess
with profound interest 1 he fascination OF the music
took hold al once and the auditors were swayed
srs. Nine Materna, Nine Nilsson, Herr wilkelmann,
the and the orchestra-eseh factor exer!ed an
the last chord of the LOhengrn mlsic ths audience
would have left the concert room In state
of excitement almost wtaSu. P"r Tae ,d III
lowed; and its effect quoting aud Christening.
After the between L@SVa and the F"%fr GrIs'
which was Sne cam. on the music Which was moi
absent from the passionate wterances OF huarG
This de peued and despened until 1t gave way to
se,rn ngy inermnable length Under its influence was
easy understand the profound religious ieengs wnch
enthusiastic Wagnertes have carried away from the per
fomances OF the mysteal drama ~ payreuta Sn'Ostu
nately here, too, the male chorus failed o.
maintain the STANDARD Of excellence a1,, wn aea
TIE colossal development 20 the last climax ms aiio
or Herr scara and Mr. kemmeriz hearty WORDS OF praise
ars due for their share In tie WORK oi the evening
THE NEW PLAY AT THE STAR THEATRE.
The following correspondence has taken place