New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-10
NJ USIC-THE DRAMA.
GERMAN OPERA.

Last nights repetition Of 8 Die Walkueres al ths
Metropolitan Opera House was thoroughly admirable
a representation to invite few words OF comment
on Herr F1scher's conception Of the character Of
Wotan VOcally this musical bassO does full ina
tice to the part and his tenderness and pathos in thu
last worthy of all praise. In the scene how
ever which from ethical and dramatic point OF view
marks the climax OF the entire tragedy he far for
gets tho innate dignity Of the god completely to rob
him of the significance with which the pcet-composer
clothed him. lie becomes weakng, gives way 10
fit OF rage and permits his chOler TO pursue him all
the way 10 the final scene thus making his affeconats
eavetakng from the disObedient VallEyrla ncompre-
hensibe. Many critics have been witty at the ex,
pense Of the sad god which Wagner created especially
i'm the scene where aIerr Fischer permits his rage TO
break forth. IL Is the scene in which Wotan under
stress OF the oath wrung from him by FIcka epudaes
his first instructions 10 BruenDhilde and commands
her to put the deatllmark on segmund instead d
Hunding.
The scene is greatly abbreviated in the local
representations with the effect Of emitting from
the drama the eliminating point in the develop
ment Of the tragic character OF WOtan In
fortunately it would that neither the artists
nor the public have yet accustomed themselves
to look upon The Nlblungs Ring as a tragedy Of
which Wotan is the real hero. If they had. it would
be impossible to overlook the significance Of the
in question or misunderstood its nature 1t marks
the turning pOnI III tlc Tragedy, INC Oy
WOan Of the futty Of his plan to avert the disaster
which his own wrongdong and the curse Of Alberch
brings upon the race of gods. lie is obliged at the
outset 10 destroy the agencies which he had created for
the purpose Kidding the world Of the baneful ring by
restoring il to its original owners, the RhineNixies
The moment in which he recognizes this necessity is
moment Of supreme sorrow, but not OF anger. His
own forelnowledge and the words Of Erda tell him
that lie ha, planned TO do the impossible. He re.
nOunces his PLAN and gives HIS blessing 20 the nlmicL
powers which are to accomplish his destructi ton and
the destruction of his race. In doing this he rises to
a height OK tragic grandeur which ought to preclude
ali suggestion Of pititul anger. So, too, his punish.
ment of BIHennhle is undertaken, not In a fit Of
rage for he knows that in viola ing his instructions
sine Wa, only executing his will. but from the same
Of necessity that compelled the death OF sleg
mund. II that punishment Is aught else man the
chast-oment OF love. there is no trutfulncss IN Wag
ners music when that punishment IS metcd out. All
OF this would be much palmer TO the listeners IL the
scene were restored ought to be. least the
essential parts Of 1t, done last year when Herr
Reichmann sang the part.
he audience, a fine one in numbers and character.
bestowed manly mark, of approval on the representa-
ton and called Mr.. Seld as usual TO receive the
tribute which he has been obliged 90 accept nightly IS
the representative Of the spirit OF German opera.