New-York tribune., 1886-01-07
DER rRoMPErER Won sAKKlNGEN.

1t would be difficult to find parallel in the
recent literary history Of any other country Tor the
popularity which Joseph Viktor Won schefels poem'
Der Trompeter Sakkugen" enjoys in Germany.
The edition is the l25h, and uncss We are mis-
informed more than 0ne-haf OF these editions have
appeared within the last five years. Not long all
the universities OF land celebrated tue poets jubilee
and the affection with which he Is regarded by the Ger
man youth especially is boundess. The cause Of this
not far 1t is seldom given to writer to appeal
to intimate feelings OF great people IN tho
degree that schefc appeals to German seatimeutsi IN
Der Trompster sakkinsen." The Germans loye
for the Rhine and the Black Forest, for music, Tor
ship and vaor for the traits OF character In
which. rightly Or wrongly they perceive their most
potent elements OF social and pot.ca, strength, are
voiced with unique cloquence in this poem There
good deal oi absutdity IL the groundwork OF the s1o
anachronisms in Its HISTORICAL allsons anu
some monstrous bunders in its references TO music o
instance a trumpeter plays "fuSuo" on his instru-
ment and Swelling chords; he gathers together
orchestra containing clarinet century DC
fore that instrument inycntel, bceom's
chapeLmaster OF tue SxtiBe Choir ana Is m"a'
a nobleman in recognition OF his skill 10y iho
PopeD but nevertheless the book Is permeaed hrouIh
and through with the spirit OF the German V0lkSdi"
celebrates tho things which dearest in the German
heart, and all the special criticism IN the world VIII hV
shake the peoples devotion TO the poet ana MS OOo
Tie lyrics in Der Trompeter" have inspired hosts
composers and the story Itself has been WORKED uo a"
opera at least twice within the last decade Nessle'
opera has been phcnOmenally successful Ia GERMAN!
spite Of fact that capable critics that It's muse
does deserve the honor Of the many performances"
has received Its principal number is ballad IN Ao's
style which has been republshed in this country aho
an insignificant composition The opera In earrieo "
the sentimental feeling for the book.
The same, we fancy will be the with the opera W
Emil Kaiser. which performed for the first time
this country at the Thalia Theatre, IL the B0wor!o"
last Saturday evening and which will be repeated tneie
nightly by Mr. Amberg's people until futther houSii
The bre,to OF the opera arranged from tue poem
there is scarcely scene In which Scheners es Tis
employed. The story Is simple enough. werner huomy
n Heidelberg student who iinds the wine ANA wOnelu
the old University town more TO his taste thah uspI
dcnce lie pawns his Corpus JuriS SEXES MS trnmP,,
(Which he had been taught 10 play by an eXruHlgs.
with "A chronic thrsu and begins tho life oI eals.es.
Paatinc he is compelled TO leave Helrlberg lgps =.
aud blowing merry blasts the WHILE he sets ia
adventures, comes to Sakkingen Oh the IestNa o LA
towns patron saint Fridon, becomes the guest o. ;a "a
Baron (the time OF the action is proven by ths ansf of
la the poem 10 be about l610l6SOl anu WINS tue lono
the Baron's daughter-all by of the prosaic
pet. or the Baron wants no bugler Tor SUN
law and Werner starts out again, after pfnIesl,ne nil
~ 10 Ills love FIVE years later Id'gdIe. nn A. hr
grmage to Rome in fulhlment OF u vow 10 90 SO h.
health by the loss of her lover. In the ch0r AZ oS ,ed
Church she finds Werner and their reunion Is
10y the timely arrival OF papal oieer WIN .o seems
creating the trumpeter twho, meanwhilo ,romis
to have become SINGER tho i"nger
withhold his consent and the curtain fails with nn"se,
ding prospect or course such story iJfTr
trumpet solos in plenty and they run neblni tho
scenes. The music is commonplace To sueh 49, in
that it is scarcely worth while to discuss IT. he Ihaa
strumenta parts most crudely played AZ e ant
and the singing, while spirited enough was snu nsn
ing grace and Refinement; but II was PLAIN linoosTS,.a
that perfect rendition wouli not save the ,ry
That the sympathies Of the people were Win lhe
was proved BY the enthusiasm stirred up IN an an-
that crowded the old playhouse 10 the verge VI
fort.