The Portland daily press., 1889-04-17
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
Something About Art-The Wagner
Season Nearly over-The Perform
ances on the Whole Successful.
Correspondence Of the pnrss.I

1 lSOatSoPohoNhOc VI thC REBEL
BosToN, April 10.
Visitors to Boston the coming week should
not fail to visit the picture galleries. There
are to be seen collections of unusual inter-
est in all OF them. At the gallery of Doll
and Richards Mr.. and Mrs. j. Appleton
Brown show some beautiful water-colors
The works of Mr.. Brown might fairly be
called reyel in apple blossoms. he does
| well to choose subject which he can re-
| produce with such daintiness and delicacy.
Mrs. Brown has painted some roses which
are fresh and crisp. They possess none of
that picked-the-day-b before sort OF look
common to most. flower pictures. lie also
exhibitsa barn Interior" which reminds
Portland, and we wonder if this nice old
barn Is an heirloom Of all the Browns.
Triscott has some lovely things on view at
the gallery of Eastman Chase. Many of the
scenes are taken from Devon in England and
are picturesque In the extreme.
Williams and Everett make an exhibit of
oil paintings Of Miss Maria Beckett, former
ly Of Portland. These works are pronounc-
ed by prominent art critics the best ever ac-
complished by this well known artist. They
are strong and individual in design, and
have much warmth and richness of eoloring.
1t was good to hear familiar voice Sun
day last, In the choir Of the "Frst Religious
Society of Roxbury. This fine old church
dates from early colonial times and is one of
the Oldest In New England. Mr.. Pencils
Is not the first Maine voice that has been
heard within Its sacred precincts. 1t was
here that Lillian Morton used to sing before
she became famous as Madam Nordica.
Inc Wagner season or spdsDs. as one Phil
istlne cruelty calls it, is nearly over; but the
wagner and anti-Wagner war still wages.
herman mythology and musical motives are
the discussion Of the hour. Opera librettos
vet protrude from pockets and handbags on
tne street, while one is not quite au fat
without Kobbe's little guide book of
musical motives. Notwithstanding mucb
adverse criticism the theatre was packed
even to standing room each night. The an
dlences being typically Bostonian. Harvard
professors, society stars, musicians, author,
and lecturers have mingled their plaudits
with denizens Of the suburbs
| You hear Wagner discussed some In the
street cars. The other evening in one of
these conveyances heated discussion arose
between two youths as to the reason of
Wotan's one-eyed appearance. TWAS finally
thought that he exchanged it for Fricka, but
having thus gained his rather shrewish wife,
ne would gladly have surrendered the other
70 rio himself Of the goddess. Here a lady
s'sng opposite, evidently burning with
uesire 70 snow her superior knowledge, told
'hese seekers after truth, that the missing
eye hao peen given to the Hours that Wotan
might gain wisdom. Two lifted hats. and
two earnest thanks" testified the gratitude
this scrap OF information elected.
A thorough underst landing of the n,ot
of the 'Jetralogy" and ,i,.,s
Knowledge Of the musical themes render the
first hearing of this work much more satis.
factory. Upon the first night of 'Rheinpold ;,
an acquaintance of your correspondent ar.
rived somewhat late at the theatre. Buying
/ libretto at the door, he accidently checked
1t with his overcoat. Rendered reckless by
the applause heard from the audience hall,
he purchased another libretto and hurried to
his place 10 find that he had left his glasses
at home. He knew no German and was not
educated In Wagner methods. therefore his
savage mutterngs frequently interfered with
the pleasure of his neighbor who had fortified
herself with lectures, llbrettos and motivee
books and knowing her Wagner, sat the
| picture of ecstacy.
This incident illustrates one reason for the
great diversity of opinion regarding the
German opera. The uninitiated pronounces
Wagner fad, a failure, and other bad things
while the musical student regards his works
J with the greatest enthusiasm.