New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-26
MUStC-tTHE DRAMA,
GERMAN OPERA AT THE NET ROPolITAN
In two REPRESENTATIONS on Monday and J.. Il

nights, the German opera at the Metropolitan Opefs
House has made complete exposition of the grounas
which 1t will this appeal for the generous su
port of the New-York public. The operas perforusd
were "Lohengrn" on Monday and Carmen lac,
night In tho former there were reminders Of last .a
In the stage decorations and In two Of the artss
employed IN the representation; Bizets opera how.
ever was In its German dress; 1t the first on
portunty offered to NEWCOMERS to study the Germa.
conception of this charming French work. Moreoye,
1t introduced Frdulen Lehman. the principal woman
singer of the company and widened our knowledge a
the artistic forces which at the command OF the
by presenting besides several artists a
less Importance.
Both operas given under tho direction Of
Herr Sedl, and this estimate of the
two performances would not be conpets
If 1t did not at least reiteraon OF the good
opnion hurrledly pronounced OH Monday hight OF bls
share In the representation. Had the people on tia
stage acquitted themselves much less credtaby than
they did with respect to the literal publication OF tina
contents the score Herr Seidls influence would never.
theess have been patent throughout the evening to al
auditors of sensbity. The matchless technical ORA,
cson OF all concerned I'm the Interpretation the stas
and In the orchestra not the most noteworthy nor
even the most admirable result of Herr seidPs labora
by judicous choice Of tempt his refined taten tho
production OF delicate OF expression his excel,
lent skill in conveying his wishes to the in'truments
lists and singers his ability to draw from them unhesa
with and spirit of the work. he was enabled
give a reading of Lohengrin" which almost new,
and which, in spite OF the operas familiarity disclosed
MANY poetca beauties which had hitherto been over
looked Last year in discussing the production OF 10
hengrtn" by Dr. DamrOsch Whose merits In connection
with the establishment Of German opera here VIII shine
the brighter with each advance whether It be d.
rected by Herr Seid or the dead directors able sonl
we called attention to tho dramatic truthfuness
and strength Of tho Interpretation compared
with the unsteady fine Italian performances given
during the administration of Mr. Abbey Nothing gained
last year has been lost this but to the healthy ygor
the action sanity OF the singing and the pomp and
circumstance pageanry have been added greater
refinement of finish in all technical details, warmer
and sweeter poetcal spirit in the conception OF
the drama as whole, aud clearer
and truer presentation OF its musical elements This
must be credited largely 10 the Intelligence and skill OF
Herr Seidl though Herr Van He'll, the stage manages
and Frank H. Damrosch the chorus master, contributed
to the result.
The interpretations which Frau Krauss and Frdlea
Brandt give respectively OF Elsa and Orud are familiar
from last seasons representations. The former lacks
but little OF ideal beauty. All tie graces OF Wasners
sweet but hapless maiden find exposition in her acting
and singing, though In equal degree. As opposed
to Fraulein Brandts Or Frau Krausss Elsa is as day
to night as the OF goodness to the spr OF evil In
the first act EisdS purity, innocence, simplicity and
trusttuness inspire every uttered word AMI note and
surround her like angelic vestments Ofirtfs baeful
nature echoed every tone Of her voice and published
in every one OF her cat-lke movements To watch Inc
growth OF her influence the trusting wife and ths
insidIousncss with which she goes to work
to destroy the fair edcc Of Eisds happiness by nst
ing the fatal curiosity subty and wekedy Lag0
fills the mind Of OoO with Jealousy is 10 witness
hibOn of hlstronic skill the equal Of which we cannot
point out the operate stage to-day anu TO lind which
in the spoken drama would compel search In high
f1ta al
terpart and complement OF the dramatic. Associated
with these two characters and an equally high plane
of artistic excellence stand Herr Roblnsons IerdmHHd
and Herr Fischers King Henry The baTit one becanea
prime favorite last season tle bass, who CONES from
Dresden, Is the pOssessor OF a 7oce OF hue quality.
round smooth sufficient in quantity Resonant, tuneful
dgnihcl. noble, lie is truly capable artist whose
name whenever 1t appears on a programme will bea
guarantee of delightful musical performance at least
To Herr stritt. the LOachgriH OF las: Nom
day. belongs the praise OF combining
tho merits Of the German operate manner
with of tue fine qualities of italian singers than
any German tenor whom call to mind. Ills
enuncialon and defamation delight to the lis
He lifts the lyrical side or his character Into
prominence and makes celestial rather than militant
Lohengrin. His lmpersonation falls short OF that OF
Her Scnott in picturesqueness and nobility OF bearing,
but surpasses 1t in musical beauty His musical sense Is
most acute, his voice pnre, and good IN quality Qts
noticeable defect being want OF resonance tho
high register, and his intonation faulessly correct
The management will. We believe ind thsr reward
securing services Of tenor who will assault
ears OF people who have not been trained the belief
that intensity defamation is inconsistent with tune
singing and that the Latter fault is but NAL after
all 1t Is not venal. but most unpardonabo yice-he
Germany is guilty Of Here Stritt mas introduce an in-
novaton in dress for which we are ignorant OF his
authority lie is not Knight o. the swan but of tho
Dove. The figure on bis shird Is me conventional
d prOlGCe
perspective on Monday night carried shicd ,howinga
swan The discrepancy should be remedied; II is dis
turbing when there Is so much that is admirable.
In the reading OF the the German Carmen re-
neced less credit on Herr seldl than" Lohengrn" II
was not alone that the action and music moved with
heavier feet than usuthis largely the Individual
OF the representatives OF the different rOHs
but Heir SedPs conception Of the fept OF many the
pieces Uttered greatly nom S1o that To- which
the change did not nure 10 the effectiveness OF BzeFs
more than ingenious Then, too, the dialogue
all spoken and few Germans can make tue change iIoa
music speech agreeable TO the This Is doubtful
oxpcdient In opera az the best aud II Is douby diSap.
pointing when the spoken dialogue Is IN language
which is not ut all or only imperieetly understood.
Except these drawbacks, however, aud the opera
was given IL capital representation, though one
that on much lower artistic plane than Lohen-
grin" The STAGE decorations were those prepared for
the opera under the Italian administration, and they
had seen but little use were bright and attractive.
FramcIn Lehman who hlrd the title role. The lady
came with excellent reputation and sustained u IN
her acting well as her singing. Her tan stature
and almost military bearing were calculated 20 ptolHco
on effect OF surprise which hat TO ue EEefSoe S
she infused into the part To the eye she was s0ne
what matrony carmen than the fancy Is tempted
To paint ideal heroine of BZcts opera, and was
in harmony with the new picture tlat sue
stripped tho character OF tho nippaucy iud
playfulness which the public inclined
10 assoc with II and intensity sinister side In
thi, she dcvia,ed from Madame Hanks impersonation
and came nearer TO that OF Madame Trcbelli In her
Musical performance. however she surprised both OK
these experienced aud ripe artists Her voice is true,
flexible ana ringing, ana OF most telling quality she
sings with perfect ana her high notes have fairy
electrifying tmbrc and power. She has tho ability
10 nh IL with the passionate expression and
warmth color which the music OF the part often calls
for and utiZes this ability with rare JuucOUsneSs aud
taste every respect her Carmen Is unique creation
and her art exhibited IN II realizes eXpcci 10 tho
full. Herr Robinson had public sympathy with HIM
throughout the evening In greater degree than MS
performance the torcadOr warranted. lie was
obviously under tho weather, but tbls
aid uot excnse his bcsettlng artistic Sin of mdulgns