The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-04-08
THE CLEFT MOTIF" -.-3
It's Proposed Extension from Wagneriau
Opera to American Drama.--.--

1t is stated with much impressiveness
that Western dramatist is about to
construct play in which he will in
troduce lett motifs after the manner oz
Wagner. The lett motif in music is faI
miliar to all lovers of high-class concerts
and of Wagnerian opera. The leading
motive, we may state for the benefit of
those who have forgotten, is theme
which recurs whenever certain incl
dents or emotions are referred to. Thus
whenever in ''Lohengrin" the jealousy
of Ortrud is spoken of a certain sue
cession of sounds is emitted by the or
chestra.
1t will probably be inferred that the
Western dramatist does not contem-
plate confining himself to music. This
would be simply following Wagner
without enlarging upon the great mas
ter's method. The lett motif, it will be
readily seen, may be treated in other
ways in play. Any dramatic means
of expression may be properly used
Taking it for granted that such is the
idea of the Western dramatist, we NAV
reasonably expect to see plays in which
the peculiarities of Wagner's music will
be wholly outdone.
For instance, whenever the heroine
makes her appearance on the stage. OF
is referred to in the course of the dialog;
the nightingale, cleverly initiated be-
hind the scenes by gentleman armed
with a wooden whistle and a glass of
water, will sing and soft purple light
will illuminate the scene. When the
hero comes forward the full glare Of
golden sunlight, suggestive of his man
ly bravery and spotless nobility, will
burst forth, and the neighing of distant
horses, presumably smelling the battle
for virtue afar off, will be heard.
When the villain strides into sight or
is spoken of thunders will roll and
hghtnings flash, and delicate, sugges-
tive odor of sulphur will pervade the at
mosphere. The clinking of gold would
accompany all remarks about the hard
hearted father, and the smashing of
china behind the scenes would be an
appropriate lett motive for the comic
servant-girl. The willy detective. who
finally foils the villain and carries him
off in triumph after his last speech full
of suppressed emotion, would also re-
quire a lett motif. This could be sup
piled by the lowering from the flies of a
Leyden jar, which would be Suggestive
of a scientific bottling up of the villains
lightning. The nocturnal instincts of
the sleepless farmers boy, whose vigi-
lance furnishes the testimony necessary
to the conviction of the villain, could be-
beautifully illustrated by the suppressed
wailing OF concealed cat, given piz-
zicato.
1t is probable that at first the public
would not fully appreciate the excellence
of this kind of drama, but the author
should not be discouraged on that ac-
count Wagner's system of leading mo-
tives was ncomprehensible to the ma
jority of people until race of critics
arose whose keen perceptions enabled
them to discover lett motif played on a
viola in the midst of the fortissimo
thunder of cornets, trombones, and B
fiat tubas, and to discern its meaning
with certainty not excelled by a de-
tective's Interpretation of a hopeless
clew. After reading few careful and
analytical criticisms ON the lett motif
drama, theatre-goers, like music lovers,
would be able to find their own lett mo-
tifs even when the dramatist had neg
lected to introduce any.-NezD York
Times.