The Portland daily press., 1889-04-17

1t is well known fact that Wagner in
ended all the arts to have place in his musict
dramas The artistic effect of the scenes as
conceived by him are said to be grand in the
extreme. Musically and dramatically ssthe
Ring of the Nibelungs' has been well rem
dered in Boston; but their staging mist have
caused his wrath to writhe-forqive the
alliteration.-For instance the "Falkyries"
are supposed to tide through the clouds upon
fierce and fiery steeds. bearing to Walhalla
the bodies OF heroes slain In battle. A diff
cult scene to represent it must be admitted,
and one best left to the Imagination rather
than nave 1t represented by absurd little
magic lantern pictures flashed at stated in
tervals across the stage. The costume room
IN tne ABODE OF the gods was needless dis
Illusion. Surely colors might have been col
lected which would blend in more heavenly
harmony. As for the Rhine maidens, short
season at the seashore would speedily con-
vince them that their angular movements
would not serve to propel them through real
water.
But after ali these were trivial blemishes
In delightful course of opera Much might
be said in praise of the orchestral work.
Herr Autru Seidl the conductor was greeted
with hearty rounds of applause each night,
as his handsome Beethoven-like face APP
peared at the side entrance.
Many of the scenes still linger in the mem.
DRY with especial delight. One could hardly
bear to have the curtain descend upon the
first act in the "Valkyrie." Sieglnde and
Siegmund sit by the ash tree, in Hundings
hut The love and sympathy motives
breathe out their exquisite harmony. as
Lieglinde tells her sorrowful story. Sud-
denly the doors and curtains are blown omen
by gust of wind. A charming forest scene.
shining in the moonlight, is revealed while
we hear that most beautiful of all love songs
the awakening of spring." In the last act
of the same drama the music is noble and
grand beyond expression. Wotan's wrath.
the ire motive, by which he calls up the
flames to surround Brunhilde. The sad
reply, WAS it so shameful what I have
done?" And Wotan's Farewell thou glad
some, glorious child" Certainly these rank
among the finest music ever written. The
"slumber motive" remains in the mind from
the time the curtain falls on the Valkyrie
until 1t is heard again in Siegfried.
Max Always handsome face, wonderful
voice and dramatic powers make him the
ideal Siegfried. His forging of the sword
''Nothung," aroused the widest enthusiasm
The battle between the dragon and Siegfried
was not exciting. The animal did not seem
formidable antagonist. although he blinked
his electrically lighted eyes and emitted
steam from his mouth in the most approved
manner. He is said to have been a very ex-
lIr.A- i. =
him when he was slain.
Another disappointment was the wonder
lul morse train, so much mentioned In song
ana story. He was disprited quadruped.
one quite agreed when Brunhilde told Sieg.
fried he has lost all his magic power ii
may have been stage fright which oblig ed
MIN to be hit from the wing, and pulled Wig
ofously by the bride as an inducement to
cross the stage. When, however, Lii Leh-
man as Brunhilde placed her lovely face
my all here | guard, and instead thou shall
run my steed, his lack of energy was for
given for the lovely picture he helped to
make.
Time forbids us to speak of the wonderful
lnterlude description Of Siegfried's journey
down the mountain, across the Rhine, to the
home of the Gibichungs. OF that other in
terlude which takes him to Brunhilde's rock.
lead by, the lovely song Of the bird; of the
marvellous "Waldenben" melody. or of the
the sorrowful story Of the WaIsungs Wag-
ner. weaves them into a funeral march
which recalls all the pathetic incidents of
these three lives. :and makes one of the
grandest, saddest works ever written to ac-
company funeral rites. The Wotan of Herr
Fischer was very fine, and nothing could be
better than Sdlruayer's Mime.
Having enjoyed the whole "Ring of the
Nibeluug's" intensely, even with the disad-
vantagss Of poor sittiDgs, we can but wonder
what 1t Will be to those pilgrims to Bayreuth
this summer who are to see Wagner's music
drama put upon stage built for the purpose
with all the accomplishments he conceived
for the preservation of his work. K. j. ID.