New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-12
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
GERMAN OPERA AT THE MErRoPoLlTAl

GERMAN OPERA AT THE METROPOLITAN.
The first representation OF Wagner's die
Meistesiuger" at the metropolitan Opera House week
ago la st night admirable IN conception ana 80
excellent In execution call out expressions OK I'M
disguised establishment from many musicians AID ana
teurs who had witnessed performances OF the opera in
European capitals Mr.. b. j. Lang. musician OF Hue
attanmeuts great influence and extended experience,
came Boston to attend the performance OF last
Friday evening His opinion was summed up IN tho
statement that OF the several representations
which lie witnessed abroad had qualed the second
one at the Metropolitan. He honestly confessed his In
ability 10 comprehend how such degree OF perfection
had attained under the circumstances when govern
oIeratic production In this country. Aud
yet the third representation OF the opera last
night showed a marked Improvement ON It's
In the working together OF THE various fac
tors which make up the sum OF the performance AMI tho
technical flush in particular OF the orchestral and
choral elements in respect OF which the familiarity
essential to perfection not to nave Deen expected
In some respects improvement was preclucd by the
traordnary merit OF the first performance NO one Will
exn.ct by going second time to hear better inerpre
taion or admired quintet than was heard on that
occasion. Then, in spite OF the buskineSS oil Herr
Fischers voice. and slnee this quintet has marked the
climax OF the excellence attained by Herr sodfs artists
in purely musical ways and indeed it Is one OF the
delightful pieces singing to which the walls OF New
York opsra house have echoed and should be heard
by all who wish to learn what IS possible under wag
ner's vocal style.
The opera has produced NEST profound impression
upon the German portion OF the patrons Of the Metro
politan Opera In particular The enthusiasm Of
the audiences has not grown with the general effect OF
the repre sentations last nights audience
numerous as those OF last week Both circumstances
can be accounted for the Same ground namely the
fact that tho people of German nativity who love music
and can afford to the Metropolitan are not numer
GUS enough 70 fill tho vast audienceroom many times In
I'm MelstersinQer"
appreciation OF which calls for sympathes which only
German can feel Its comedy element lies In the expo
son of phases Of social fe the simplicity and ngenu
BUSINESS OF which like loadstone to the German
heart It's principal character Sachs the cobbler poet
il 10 n true German not the mere historical figure
that lie is to the rest Of the world but
a representative OF many OF the thisgs which are be-
ieyed in and loved the German people, He Is one Of
the people, warm-hearted, blunt, uusweryiDgy honest,
feryent in his love, having vein OF humor little
caustlc but malicious running through his nature.
and devoted to high ideals of art
prototypes OF their national character and they are adj
mred and loved accordingly. Ddrid. the apprentice,
present themselves in the opera, al the folleS and man
ners that satrized, all the seeursof amia6e donss
GerTsan Sachs. and to appreciate Aem demands Ger
man synpathes, - WEI s b ts in its ho6k u ts
where musical intelligence Is lacking tbat the exquisite
humor OF the score Is passed ny without notice
Wagner's opera over i've hours long The eats which
have made IN 1t for the Metropolitan representa-
ticns reduce the time and quarter hours.
This is still long time Tor an opera TO last IN
this country, but 1t w0ud tax the ingenuity OF any
one familiar with the score to tell where TO
make auy further excisisns. Herr Seldl
il he Germany would be pliored by tue exrem-
iss for what he been Obge do In this direction.
vet his cuts all judicOus. especially In the nrst act
where they most extensive The instruction which
qpd gives Wder in the book Is best given behind the
scenes the public need not hear it. The other cuts mar
the drama as little and Of the music which the
pnbllc are likely to nd beautiful has been sacrificed.
The opera las been successful but 1t Is doubtful u
will receive the degree Of popular favor given 10 Die
Wakjire" in spite of the heant,fu manner IN which
ia presented-in spite OF Frau krauss lovely ked Herr
Fischers noble SdchS. Herr komlitZs amusing 10agh
TOO farcica BecLmesScT Herr LehmePs truthful hoth-
ner Herr Staudig's consistently musical POgHer, Herr
KFaemers vivacOus Ddrtd and Fraulen Brahdts hard
working UagdaleHa We have tried 10 show that reason
lies IN the want of sympathy between the work. where
beauties are resr lendent and the American people VINO
have nothing In their past history or literature that
furnishes point Of sympathetic contact between hem
aud the subject matter Of Waguer's great creation.