New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-12
MUSIC.
"rANNLIAusER0 AT THE METROpOLIrA

"TANEHAUSERv AT THE METROPOLITAN.
It's to be expected that If grand opera ia
maintained on the present lines at tho metropolitan
Opera House III the future VIC will DO called an
nuay TO chronicle revival" OF "Tannhauser" Wit.
Wagner dominating the list, "Tannhauser" is, In man.
nor, an educational necessity-a sort of connecting
link between the lyric drama TO which ths
American pub lie have 50 long been accustomed and the
higher type with which they rapidly being made &C.
tainted under the administration Ia operatlo
affairs The work is admirably et TO this and since Il
simultaneously gratiles the lovers or the oldme oper
attic furnishes matter admiration to the
tremest adhercnts Of tho new German
school, A true WasnoFite in Tanu-
hauser more Of the bone and snev
OF Wagners art than in the later and more generally
admired Lolengrin," and perhaps every Thoughtful
lover OF the drama perceyes in It's tc%tnal framework
n more poetca and q vastly more thrilling stOr? But
from whichever side it is viewed 1t is admirable in
PRODUCTION to the Bayrcuth masters later manner and
ne spch is welcome incident OF every season. Thu
wear ye can only regret that Wsgners expressed wishes
were not obeyed and the work before the operas
that follow 1t in the order of their production.
Last nights representation did not differ essentially
from the representations Of year. Herr seill was
entrusted with the musical direction and brought thu
task flness Of intelligence and In
terest, but thoughts were fewer in his
reading of the score than in that which he gavs
"Lohengrin." The proper reading OF "Tannhauser"
long ago became q tradition in Germany. and every
welgrOunded conductor can be relied upon for
a measuraby lucid ana forcefu Interpretation Of the
work so far as depends upon tho indications OF tho
conductor Nevertheless last nights audience owed Herr
SeIdl gratitude for a deal OF exceptionally virils
passionate and buOyant playing done by the orchestra
the effect OF confidence felt by the musicians IN his
firm and unerrng and his mastery oversight OF tho
combined activities OF all the factors concerned In the
representation This element IN the performance mads
a., tin apfm " "A
out triple round OF applause that Herr
Sc id accepted in agreement with his unyaryng custom
as tribute to the musicians, gracefully indicating BY
gesture to whom the thanks were due
The spectacular effects OF the representation differed
little from those of year and four OF the artists who
appeared gave approximations that were familiar. These
were Frau Krauss "a poeticai Elizabeth as
we know) Fraulcin slach, Herr Robinson
and Herr Kemlin Their work was
praiseworthy-a qualification which only be spoken
with reservations Of the singing OF the chorus In tie
first act and the playing OF the brass part of tho oFch
ira in the festival music of the second which was arrd
by much impure information OF the newcomers the
create musical pleasure came from the singing OF
Herr Fischer, whose tnc voice. noble
vocal STYLE and eloquent defamation stamped him
again one Of the most admin sDic meineeia OF te
evening 10 the difficult task which this role sets u
sylvia brings artistic equipment WHICH III s2L' re-
specs IS excellent but IN others Is adequate ohy ~
limited degree His robust voice am IAclAct
are able meet all the musical drafts drawn Oy part
and his acting is also suCh pass without chuch
ug severe criticism. Bus the German language - s-A
rood deal OF a stumbling block T. y. sylvia ana nlli'
nct and want OF YtallIed ana correct ~
Elected defamation such a. his are serious draw
back in "TaunhaUscr" IL IL not an IDLE Ting
to say that Intimate acauaiutance with the
zen NJ OF the German language Is essential % wen
rouuGci performance OF every one OF Wt2Eers foes
n has long been a subject OF comment that his operas
lose muo OF their dramatic vitality VIXEN given H. any
otner than the Gernun tongue, 10 matter how almr-
able the singing may be.
Htrr Alvary helped to make the nnsl'
wort of compliment Tor the good quality OF ton" ds
played In the unaccompaned ballad 20 spring IN no
r,t act The audience Lua' rJus aud The listeners
were frequently moved to pleasur3Dlc excitement BY
the Performance.