New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-16
MTSIC-THE DRAMA.
"DIE WALkUERE."

The management of the German opera has been
considerably embarrassed this in the prepare
ton Of Die Walkuere' which accounts for the tar
OF the first representation that took place last
night. For this the indeci,ion of the stockholders
with reference TO the continuation of German opera is
largely TO blame. The company Is changed year
after year. and the repertory is thereby made unstable.
When the season began there representative
Of slcgmund In the company, and only half enough
capable singers for the choir OF Nlkyrior The first
difficulty helped out by Herr PerOts assumption
Of the heros part, and the engagement OF few extra
singers completed the ranks of Wotan's Wild daugh
ters. The delay in the production. however, like
most of the things which discouragne at first
blush In this world, made for good 1t enabled
Mr.. stanton to cast Madame lehman slcgllnde for
one thing. and thus insured eloquent publication
of the dramatic intensity that lies I'm that part. Il
also enabled Herr Perottl to grow in appreciation Of
his real mission I'm the Metropolitan company. There
had been evidences OF this growth before but last
night he actually surprised the audience by the
eamestness Of his effort to realize tho
dramatic. poctIcal and musical elements in
the role which he essayed. As might
have been expected from one whose has been
devoted almost wholly TO performances in which voice
and power are looked upon OF the first importance
and the presentation OF dramatic personality
minor consideration, he made most of the lyric side
If wacner's creation, but nevertheless there evi.
first act. striving for the oftier ideal whose full
realization the NewYOrk public have been privileged
10 enjoy I'm the singing and acting of Herr Nemann
Under the circumstances, therefore, Herr Perottfs
segmund must he set down an exceedingly credit
able impersonaii0n.
Madame Lehman has always been wanting IN eA'
pressive accents for the sweetness ana ten
derness which the world associates WIN
the idea of true wOmanh0od. and her n's'
scene was too cold and statucsque 10 give mo
keenest pleasure. II only after the hoousao'
Of passion he'd opened I'm the love scene 'ha' S
began to carry the sympathy and interest oi he'
auditors captive when finally she entered in'' 'r'
tragic shadow that falls upon the unnatural io'els i"
the second act she appeared in the full stature Oh lr
supendous powers as singing actress, ana theea''e'
there could be carpng at her conception ana eSec
ton Of the part Frau Morau-Ohen was profoundly
pathetic and impressive Bruennhide, so far as her
IDEAL was concerned, and there was much 10 admire
in her presentation despite the tendency which she
showed times to depart from correct inton alton
Tho defects I'm the musical part OF the representation,
outside Of that just referred TO, were due 10 the IN
capacity Of lIaoucin Rcu (Fnchal. aud Herr Weiss
Nlunding). Herr Fischer was the Wotan OF ths
evening and there IS need Of eNpatatng at Ieng.h
a. this time the beauty of his voice and manner Tho
aSsemblage was laree and attentive. Nearly every
seat In the Opera House was occupied