The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-07-24
WAGNERIAN OPERA
The Presentation of Tanhauser
at Bayreuth.
WAS NOT A TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS
The Mise-en-Scene Was all the Imagination
Could Picture-Some OF the Singers
Were Mediocre.

Especial to THE HERALD-Examinsr Caole-l
BAYREUTH, July 23-To many Bayreuth
pilgrims the chief interest OF this years
festival has conferred in ''Tannhauser"
Paris version), as this is the first one OF
Wagner's four operas, "Rienzi." "The Fly
ing Dutchman," 'Tannhauser'' and ''Lo
bengrin," as distinguished from his seven
music dreams, the "Nibelung," triology,
Tristan" '.Nfeistersingern and Par
sifal," that have been sung at Bayreuth.
The house last night was filled with q
more critical, and perhaps less enthusiastic
audience, than on the first two nights Of
the festival. Everyb body was well &C
quainted with the opera; the novelty was
all confined to the opening scenes and IL
was these that attracted the profound
est interest. When the well-known
overture merged into bacchanaly and the
curtains were parted, scene OF magical
beauty was revealed. The pictures which
stir the Imagination of readers of Wagner's
minute and poetic descriptions in the text
book were wildly presented and the most
ravishing dreams realized. The deep blue
OF the grotto stretching into indefinite
space; the murmuring of waterfalls; the
merry feasting and dancing nymphs and
youths; the seductive chorus OF the sirens;
the procession OF semidelirious bacchantes;
the lovely paclfying grace; the amorettes
shooting their arrows all combined TO form
a vision out OF the most beautiful elements
of Greek mythology, while TO this came the
accompaniment OF voluptuous music, the
like of which has never been before con-
ceived and which overwhelmed the listen
ing soul alternately as with opium and
storing wine.
nhe,o ,,-o.o &c.,, 5;raran, r;aus IF tho
Wartburg, one in spring and the other in
winter painted with the art Of a master.
Wonderful were the effects Of electrical
illuminating and the rapid changes OF
scenery. The transformation in the first
act from the Venus grotto to the sunlit
country was accomplished with startling
suddenness. Although always expected it
was still surprise like some Of the COM
posers astonishing modulations. Great at
tention was given to the costumes which
We're strictly medieval in character, OF his
torical accuracy as was every detail OF the
mise-en- scene outside of B, the grotto of
Venus, where only fancy was given leave
to run riot. The ballet given there was as
superior TO ordinary ballets as a symphony
to quadrille.
In the intervals of dancing, artistic views
were given vividly painted on the air, and
Illuminated by the electric light of Europa
carried away by the bull and Leda fawned
upon by the swan. There was sunset
with the dying illumination of an isolated
cloud, probably the finest piece Of scenic
effect ever beheld in any theatre. Such .
combination of splendor almost makes
criticism speechless, but speak it must and
say the execution of the opera last evening
was not I'D TO expectation. Winkelmann
was the Tannhauser. He was conven-
tional and disappointing, and did not act or
sing in the true Bayreuth spirit SUCKERS
Venus was splendid, vocally and dramat-
ically, but she was less seductive in ap
pearance than Lii Lehman. The noble
Wolferm of Reichmann took his place nat
urally as Bay reuth artist and oiled it.
The Elizabeth was a new singer, E'raulien
Wiborg, q pupil and protege of Madame
Wagner. She was fairly good in her difficult
music, but seemed on her first appearance
to owe everything to training and instruc-
ton and little to Inspiration The en-
semble was not equal TO that in the Iris
tan" or "Parisifal." In fact, if the truth
must be told, better general performances
Of '.Tannhauser" have been heard in Ores
den and New York. 1t will delight Wag
nerites all over the world to know, as
now announce, that il has been officially
decided by the management of the Bay
reuth theatre TO give these festivals an
nually hereafter.
Among the latest arrivals at Bayreuth
are Prince and Princess Won Hatzfeldt.