New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-29
"TAyyHAEUSERn At THE OPERA.

OF the more than 1900 persons who heard "Tanns
haeuser. at the Metropolitan Opera House last night
there are few, we fancy, who would be disposed To
quarrel with any reviewer who shonis set down the
performance as the most satisfactory one that the opera
has vet had in NewYOrk since German opera was e''
tabshed here. 1t is easy enough TO ree representa-
tons in which single singer surpassed the rep
resentatve Of his her role who figured last nights
cast lit will be difficult even to get who'll quit of the
memory of Madame Lehmann's Venus, for sample, and
the unhappy disposition to contrast all otter Venuss
with hers) but subordiuating details u the gen.
eral effect the case Is as we nave suggested
The two leading singers Of the company, wo effected
their entrance the American stage on thhoccasion,
had much to do with the result but not a. Asso
ciated with them were two prime favores, Mr.
Fischer and Mr. Reichmann, and as If inspire by the
excellent work done by this quartet the rap aten'
tion and ouick responsiveness Of the audience nd tho
mastery conducting OF Mr. Seidl, all the forcs, in
strumental as well vocal put work 10 tier rcdis
which was distinctly above the level 10 whichpass
seasons have accustomed Us. The periornahcew&
therefore memorable one. The fact that the adj.
ence was larger by several hundred thah "a'"
the opening night is another interesting crcumstae
which can be recommended IS text TO those ofVs'
minded writer's for the press who found the Create
charm connected with "Asrsel' to be the fact tnas
was composed by An Italian and not by hcnAS
Wagner.
The newcomers In whom was centred the MAJ"
part Of the curiosity Of the EVENING" were f".
Antonio MeIhe and Herr Heinrich Gudehus, respece'~
the Elizabeth and Tannhaeuser Of the musical dfsms
The fact that Of all Mr.. stantons new singers oas
Herr Gudehus was known here by repute had set W.
pitch of expectation rather low, and 1t was smpv
particularly telling bit OF evidence touching the grow~
Of interest In German opera that the subscriptions p
wear were greater than last by $4,000 This beng ~
IL is gratifying to record the copvicuon thus eas'!
the stason that the company Is ON the whole tne ~
that Mr. stanton has given Us, and that II any @saF
pointment Is felt at all II will DO by tnoS
were hoping for the downfall Of German ope~ ~
all others the singing OF Frau Miene
usrr Cudehus was a delightful surprise. The noy
hos much to commend her. first and foremost IN ulr
worn voice of pleasing quality aud ample In ranss'
Naxt musIcal and dramatic intelligence; she phrase
with much skill and maintains an assuring eQulion"n
between dramatic defamation which Is mere deciam@
t,on and singing which is mere singing. She ms
cleareyed view Of the goal set BY the poetcompo'e'
ana experience skill and vocal gift enough to rescn
She sings In tune, which Is blessing that Is mons w
rare aud carries her voice through the oine's
registers with smoothness and integrity OF qusnv
mot often found in specifically dramatic singers =
these days of degenerate vocal training. Finally W
has evidently q wide knowledge OF the mechanism
her art on both It's Sides and agreeable stage p
ence and carriage
Herr Gudehus, being dramatic tenor, belongs 70
less numerous class than Frau Mielke. HIS 'e'.
amiabe characteristics those which seem inheren
In the wagneran tenor certain unwieldiness Oh on'
and, In consequence stronger leaning toward aecsn
alton than singing. This most marked IN the u''s
scene; later he warmed into moro sustained sna
agreeable style without loss IN dramatic expressvene'
ID was reassurng to observe, however thai his vo0s
Is pure and homogeneous in quality. In spite o. ~
great volume and that the high notes were e""Ss.
with sufficient ease to show that It's compass was ~.
strained by the music of his part His eoneepuon -
the role is that which has become conventional %
I'm bodyIng Il forth he Is free and fofcefui A,cT INV
first act he rewarded with fourfold recall
Roth Mr. Reichmann and Mr. Fischer werr grseS, $3.50
on their en frances Wolfram and LandHrave
The other parts were distributed rs follows: r,en
Edmund Muller Biterof Bruno Lurgenstcin' .st"r6
Vsnns Marie jain II very creditable pcrformsnoe,
spite Of the handicap Of memory and ccmtsnsos
toned at the outsetI; shepherd. Olga lsiars