New-York tribune., 1886-11-14
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
HERR NIEMANN AS sIEGMUND.

HERR NIEMANN AS SIEGMUND.
Those who attended the representations Of
"Die Wakiire the Metropolitan Opera House this
season (the given yesterday afternoon) will
find II profitable before formulating their expectations
concerning Herr Nemann and his impersonaton Of
StegDtnd to hnd answer to the question; What 20
we out to see II will be found that great deal OF the
enjoy ment that be got from that impersonaton,
and grea, deal OF the admiration to which it entitled
depend on the adoption OF the correct point OF view
the part Not that there Is any want Of
directness Herr Niemsnns appeals TO public
but the highest or those appeals IL OK
nature TO which inary patron OF the lyric Drama
is OF accustomed. According to operate definitions
Herr Niemann a singer, II you will, since it
ia common TO foreigo languages In talking about
music tenorc robtSto IL once the fashion, and 10
great extent IL yeb to attend operate representations
Tor the simple sake OF hearing voice This fashion,
when II nourshed uxGrianty. was wholly indif-
ferent except voice and beautiful singing
IL appauded female honeos and sexi IS A9dmemnons
and C0suS trace CT II Is still left but happhy onys
trace The taste which demanded that dramatic nle
should flow through stage play Notwithstanding thas
II utilized music vehicle OF expression, has eracu-
ally grown more and Indifferent to the qualities
upou which app recitation wholly depended Ibat
anpreciatlon In It's primitive state analogous OF
savages love bright coors color none the less
because Is combined with forms In picture
but 60 soon 1t is thus combined IL surrenden
a portion primitive claims ana acquires othets
For the same correct AMI vigorous drawing
is a hig her quality painting than simple color
A singing actor to make no unnecessary waste OF
words Is greater artist IN tho lyric drama than
mere singer. It is question or Interpretation 90
long as the opera was no. drama bit only concert
sung In costumes. the deNgnt In Deau-
uful voices and beautiful singing was entirely In
place so soon the opera became drama something
more was essential. Il Ia this "something more which
Herr Niemann gives US.
The creation Of Wagner!an musical drama created
also the need OF wagnerian singerA We have heard
them before NewYork and their qualities have beeD
discussed IN this Journal Those who to and hear
Herr Niemann 60 to see and hear him
as the representative Of the dramatic character
that he 1t only thus that they can do justice
10 themselves to him and the art work In which ne
aprsars Thus far we have been privileged ony to wit
oess HE personatoD OF S,egmnd. and In It there
bs 40 question whatever 20 his eminent excellence
drams can only be ytalized through representation
ana the claim to admiration which Herr Nemann
puts Is based on the Intensely VIVID and harnoni-
There is scarcely one II the theatrical conventions
which pabIic have been accustomed to accept as
vehicles OF expression whion he employs As was SAID
In THE TRIBUNE the nrst brief mention OF HE ap-
Of The stage ike an element OF force Warmers
dramas have excited the fancy oi ps.utets
moro than any dramatic works OF this cent.
a .cenic artist Niemann's genius. for less 1t can
Be called 1ss d al ps
WagneTs creation They are not only Instinct with NE,
orama When he staggers into HundingS hut and falls
upon the bearskin beside the hearth tnril pssses
through the Part OF mis- story is already ,od
and it repeated eeotrfyDg eloqurnce In tae few
words that he uters when his limbs refuse thoir oce
picturesque side OF his mpersonstion he Is aided by
the physical gifts with which nature mas generously
tho front OF Jove hnself"; the eyes iarss
aud full OF luminous hight ,ast seem; Seems
hair that concesls greater OF the face Ine
for which he ha: been marked out mas its seai N
al haIy VIII q
HE frenzies out In the gare OF those eyes there Is
something that speaEs uniaierngJ OF .no gouise & es
magnificent power in the scene where Ste0"u"d draws
tn, SWORD from It's ssaotc snsan a. am A daIS
and declines the services OF the messenger OF hod"
s.pscs I@ ~ which, even irom literary point q view
Wagncrs "Ring Of the NiDuns seems 10 DC tne moss
Teutonc OF the sevefsi uefmah versions VI '"' ''1
Il s primitive owever without Historical
alloy such Ieutonsn as We can construct ny letting
the work back om tue most forceIui quail
tes OF the historical German to those when reprs.n
tatves or tho same race may nave usu iu penistoIo
age The period OF WagDers Setraogy' u must oc re-
msmbered is purely mythical. The russednes, Oh
type which obtain by such process is tps strong
cnaracterstc OF Herr Nemanns treatment OF Wasners
an sHnosuon of the German estheio IDEAL; Strength
before beauty. II puts trutafnl deeIamsnon eeiere
aboveiwhat Is generally considered essea
tai musical oulor. That irom tls ne beauty results
AL testify who hear Herr Neinann sing .ns
love soug In the hrst act OF Die Wakure which hs:
been presented only ~ yricai sIsion aha
VoD With more OF less s""cAuess
,err Semapn 10 The nrst representative OF the charsc-
tor rho made this passage an eager vital AMI psf.
son . ecsfAtic that ~ Resorts 70
symbol,siu as n other language Tor IL Ihe
charm with he invests the poetry OF this song or
ihs is poetry only be appreciated by ono VINO u "n
intimate Win the German LANGUAGE out the ara
matte effect attained by his Of tone color. and his
marvellous aist OF ennnciltion all can IeeL
The defects in Herr Nlemanns singing, tb7 result Oh
ths long and hard wear his has bsen sub
,.ct.d In greer Of thirty 1--we years duTaon are 80
oDvlou. that need not discuss them 10 do SO wona
be asdr as TO attempt deny their presence lie must
be heard az Singing ACTOR ~ dramatic interpreter.
moi as a me