New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-26
MUSIC AND THE DR1NA.
"FAUsTr AT THE METROPOLITAN.


Gounod's Faust was performed for tho
secoud time this season in German at the metropolitan
Onero House last night and last Wednesday, was
enjoyed by aud Interested audience some
the features in which the German version differs from
the customary Italian versions were referred TO briefly
In this journal last Thursday The work Is not gwen IN
lls entirety but the omissions few and those
which good critical Judgment sanctions The lovers OF
the beautiful ballet music H. Oriental bacchanae were
delighted to hear 1t in rs proper place. aud those
who have smiled for years at the ungaihly
tableau which followed E0rgdyefs DEATH found pict
ure of the socaed "apothe osis which lad at least
gracefncss Of grouping and absence Oh VlslOe tiHS
apparatus TO commend H.
But of all the difference the most gratifying was the
change I'm the order Of tlc due AMI church The
original intention of the brettstS, ana the logic o. tie
drama are consulted in paclng the murder OF valentine
befora the scene of MgererS agony IN the sacred eli
flee The use Of tie duel rs Hnalc has GounOPa San
ton and even favor 1t is truo bat there can scarcely be
question that il is the least beautiful a. il IS the least
dsniAe Of the two ard that presents the Ge'
yeopment Of the dramatic feeling Of tie play which has
a finer climax IN the swOOning Of Noyyard In the midst
OF the pomp and Circumstance OF the holy once, as
Goethe conceived 1t, than in tLc vulgar Dnehery OF
coarse mouhod soldier. II It's only Inc last moment
that is to count let any contrast tie scene between
Naqar and her dying blo;hcr 10 the opera with that
in Goethes poem, IN which crisLcl by the accumulated
burden Of her mlsfortuucs, Csttc seeks the retreat
supposed BE- closed 40 tos who labor and arc
heavy laden, only to hear the vol OF the accusing
demon ringing in her ears ~uc rom the choir comes
the chant tho Dues LD h.cX1rf3e as fate and tie
stupendous dramatic eGcc. 81 Gyc'cteHs agon.
izing Cry, "NacAbdriH Eir ttiachcheH
win V0ienRac's dying curses. Moreover. in
his treatment OF toe church scene GOursi
has done less violence TO Goethe than Ia almost any
other scene OF the drama a., ,...t.
OF Frsulen LehmAnns Improvisation OF the heroine
much good can said though t must be confessed
that thds warm nfebloOd IN IL thil Is geherd.Y
demanded Of an ideal JYg0rtL Yet in this regard shO
is nearer the Gretchen, Goethe than the ofgff or
Barber and Carrie. IL IS fact which Is o!toh over
looked estimates of ths creation that the Idut OF
Maryerite that u committed IN an eestacy OF
passion while GrtGbenS is marked IN all ITS stages By
deliberations The former, as the world goes IS moro
readily excused than the latter Fraulcih LeAmanns
llorgGrci has In it OF the coars-r fibre which
Nilsson refined ogt Of the characteG SIe nor NE nc
painter Ary Scheifers neryEe OF whom Hcnc Said that
she had read the whole Of Schiller. There is something
OF the rustcy and Of refinement IN 10 which char
acterZe poets creation. It's greatest beauty IS IN ia
strongly dramatic parts Mus!caly 1t Is consistently
only triiin deyiatons from the accepted types
noticeable Herr FischeTs ncpttStophstes was
less spectacular than Is the rue, and Ills cyn-
ci,m was amiable in Its Outwa Id manifestations
on a high plane stands Herr StIitts d" Faust; hand
some gentle la bearing, graceful In action aud npds
stoned IN utterance Of tie most satslctory
impersOnatiOns which have been seen here. Tie dis
tribution OF the parts was as follows;
Faus Herr Stftt
McphisODheles lIe-
Herr Robinson
>!cD-l .t e. >iac
MaTgtreiha - n, LhI'inh
AlaItAa IL NO4"91A~A'i