The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-14
NEW YORK THEATRroALs.
First Performance of Rheingold--"Tf
Inconstant" at Daly's.

First Performance of Rheingold--"Ih
Inconstant" at Daly's.
Correspondence of The Appeal
NEw YoRK, Jan. l2.-The past week has
been rich in musical aud dramatic interest,
including as il did, the first performance
OF "Rhcingod," the great revival OF Cleo
patra," and the presentation Of an old
English comedy, at Daly'S, not to mention
the opposition concerts OF Mr. Thomas
and Herr Scidl Saturday evening last. Let
us jus, speak OF the notable production at
the opera. To the initiated 1t may be well
10 say that "Das Rhcingold" IL the pre-
ludo 10 the Niboungen trlogy, and
serves rs an introduction 10 this succession
OF grand music dramas. We read in
"Rhcingold" the fifty or more lett motives
which develop In Walkurc, Siogfricd
aud Gocttcrdammcrung and the unrav-
cling Of the story OF the unlucky treasure,
closely connected with the subsequent
dramas, reveals the superb musical s,ruc.
turc which Wagner made for the ancient
legend. sconically II SURPRISES any Of
the works produced here, and doubt II
"Parsiial," with It's wonderful trans.
formations aud startling mechanical
effects. beans comparison with IT, Tho
frst scene is the bed Of the Rhine with its
moss covered rocks and jagged uncycuncss
OF surface. There il an excellent imitn.
ton OF the water by the use ct scene drops
OF grcenish net. aud with the descriptive
music in the orchestra the illusion IL per
feet, particularly when the three Rhine
daughters swim about gracefully, lending
as they DO u strange realism a. the picture.
The management OF these swimmers h one
OF those distinctly novel aud audacinus
ideas Tor which Wagner Was ever remark
able. As near rs a careful examination
through an opera glas, could discover, tLc
mGidcns, IN standing posture were 49,
curcly attached on what were large pcdps.
tails. The rocks were arranged ~ NJ ,J
bring out only tho up. ~ T.i, ui the fix
urcs. and with ...-..ciul, unlulating mo-
ticr- ,hc silver voiced daughters Of the
Rhine swan about, guided by clover
hands below the stage The enchanting
melody Of these mermaids ~ quite
like their music In Goottcrlammcrung
II brcathcs the poetry ui the crys.
ial forest stream and X laden
with the scintllating beauty OF mcloiic
bird voices. One ol thuso thrilling out
bursts 81 Wagnurs Nv heard ~ the hugr
mass OF gold, lighted by the sun, shines
forth dazzling through the water Albc-
rich's theft OF the gold. Ills melting Il
into the all powerful ring oi the Nibcluug
and the illustration Of his magic force are
incidents of the lirt icw scenes Then
Notan and Lngc, the iirc-gods, descend
into Nibclheim aud trick Alhcnch out Of
the ring aud all his possessions. The lat
a 81. "a
ransom for Fricm, the goddess oi youth
and beauty. Alhrrich, undonc nc the
loss OF all power and fortune, curses the
ring and all who shall own IL with the
Invocation oi death. A glorious rainbow
now crosses the heavens and the gods
ascend upon II 10 thcircaslci in the clouds.
The gundiOso music Of the entry into
Walhlia accompanies this ideal picture
aud the final curtain ials Joseph
Beck, as AlhcrCh, Fischer M Mutan,
and the three Rhine daughters were
oil excellent ~ much cannot be- siid oi
the rest of the cast who fortunately wCn
not important, and whose performance,
v0cally, was little better Than mediocre.
The production ~ whole may bc classcd
90 a success, aud We may now hope Tot
comparatively satisfactory presentation oi
the ic,raology the coming spring.
For his fourth subscription night. and
for the regular annual old comedy revival,
Mr. DAILY presented Tuesday night "rhc In.
constant, or The Way 10 Win Him." com.
cdy by Capt George farquhar. The
usual distinguished audience Of the Tues.
day nights was present nnd enjoyed the
play Immensely. Tho action takes place
IN iuris about the beginning oi the cigh.
tccnth century, and the quain, grace aud
wit Of hat epoch ~ most refreshing and
delightful 10 modern audience John