New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-23
E,yNHAEUSER BADLY DONE.
Iva At sAYREUrH DISAPPOINTED
rrssAsprH AND AN IHEFFEcT-
|" ,yz s.1Irr-Is BAYREuTH's IN
-rrrvcF, wANINGi


-. oo-The greatest interest OF the
sayrnn' o.rtred IN to-day's production Of the
sasel pu'A" :, aTanuhaeuser' which was originally
sN vis" r.,Ss in 1861. "Tannhseuser" had
/ ysfemen ,san produced at Bayreuth. The sen
NJ S'ao.~ ,hat his years ensemble is Inferior
ssi 0a- Individual artists are good has been
ssusn ~ ,eday's rendering Of "Tannhaeuser'
i ennr"s~ ..,,,,on attached 20 the production, and
era' eAF, S..n ,romised The reading purported to
paen hS avn Much talk has been INDUCED IN
y "asn ~. marnihcence OF the scenery, ballet and
rssaHs - ,he SPLENDID artistic effects. but unfort
coeuhe =. result has been bitter disappointment
anSe' .,rsr Insisting that Elisabeth hitherto had
f7au ,u,personated and that the right concep'
Hen IA. Of frail, spiritual beauty OF seventeen
BOZ .,,,.stlne with the robust Venus had selected
o., ,,e part a young beginner, who was inoonn'
-. t-,n the start. The many rehearsals wore OUT
...,s, first selected and another beginner whose
-, appearance corrcsponded with Frau Wagner
- 81 substituted at the last moment 1oa"S
ric. was not heard in the ensembles, ana I'd 'Hc
-. her voice and method were exceedingly an
s'r The duet by Elisabeth and Tannhaeuser In
~ ,ecnd act was whispered, not sung. Ehsepc'i'
w ,.ca,lv insufficient Frau sucher's Venus was .
- performance. although she showed traces OF
'.,susion from her efforts in Tristan und lsoioe'
~s-,.,raun,s Tannhaeuser was weak, and he isueu
:. suuuort his Vienna reputation In the same part
,.,ar,ns. as the Landgrave Hermann, proved haruly
,,n,A. and was certainly not up to the s'snoaN VI
psvreuth The last act was vocaly the best heioH-
r,nns Wolfram was fne effort, his rendering Oh 'ie
.plendn finale arousing enthusiasm
scenicalb the whole performance cannot compare
18th The Dresden production. Unsteady, America mas
sssu many better performances. Many spectators
% have compared the Dresden setting Of the Venus
..e with its wild tumult Of satyrs and nymphs ana
.,-ral 1uagnifcence Of effect, with the feeeler Tau
In here Much is said Of how Frau Wagner has per
slly drilled every step Of the ballet; vet the result
;. not brilliant. The bacchanal orchestra also Is IN
ssctive partly owing b its being covered over mere
A. covering dulhng the sound. The two taoleausLed
"a the swan and Europa on the Bull-deserve TO be
raised for their powerful grouping and costumes.
N, chorus in the procession was ungracetul and the
,olors fncongruous. Frau Wagner arranged the en-
snee Of the Thuringan mobiles TO be in step with the
rusio. causing a scene bordering on the ABSURD.
rugAout she seems to have an exaggerated idea that
A. singers gestures and steps ought to be In keeping
nth the music This gives a general impression OF
vt,hcality which is often ridiculous.
The chorus sang with spirit. The contest OF the
snsers was admirable but the ensembles following the
svenuss song Of Tanuhaeuser lacked hrmness.
Disappointment found general expression among
zuscans The consensus Of opinion is that the Bay
With festival is in danger chiefly because Frau Wag-
No. apartments too much with beginners and carries
ssuug TOO far crushing individuality creating arti
fss1y, and refining to the dimensions oil sinst
,0n what IS intended for large stage. Bayreuth
r long continue TO attract amateurs to hear Wagner
,sTed amid agreeable surroundings and associations.
I'd Bayreuths educational influence for MUSICIANS
szs 10 be going 20 other theatres notably 70 Dres-
sp IL Is a pity that Wagners ideals should not be
Pheld at Bayreuth. the Mecca OF musicians