Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-08

go smoothly; loud complaints sreee In the
Bayartsn capital, and Jealous opponents worked
vigorously until by mutual consent the king
and Wagner separated, Wagner leaving Mo-
mich In December. 1855.
He remained for a timsin Switzerinnd, where
be worked now chesrfully. encouraged by the
hope OF assistance from his royal friend. At
last he formed the plan of building the the
alter himself. depending upon Ludwig and his
other admirers for assistance He travelled to
Bsyreuth, and his earlier impressions Of the 1T
ness Of the place for his purpose being con-
armed he took up his abode thsrs, nor did he
change 1t until hewho had paids many tributes
70 art paid the last great tribute to nature.
Principally through the efforts Of the young
pianist Karl Tausig, the Baroness Marie Won
Schllnitz and Emil Heckel, the last named of
whom organized the first Wagner socisty in
Manhsira. no saw at last the way to the fulfill
mont Of his hearts dearest wish-ou May az,
1872. the corner stone of the Bayreuth '1Buhnsn
Festspielhaus" was laid.
THE FEs1sPrLLHAUs.
While Il Was in course Of erection he received
and accepted an official Invitation to compose
the Festal March for the American centennial
celebration--he wrote under the inspiration Of
Gocthe's words: He only merits liberty and
life who day by day must conquer them"
The thsater being entirely completed, and
the direction Of the orchestra given to Hans
Richter, a series Of grand rehearsals took place,
| last. in 1876, from the 18th to the soth of Au-
gust, occurred the first .'festspiel," and his
"Nibelungen Ring was given to his satisfaction.
The theater is situated on eminenee to the
north overlooking the town and commanding
an excellent view of the surrounding country.
1t has an interior OF the utmost simplicity and
a seating capacity Of 1.S45. excluding the
''Fursten Gsllerie," whichis occupied by royalty
only. The position occupied by the orchestra
Is several feet below the auditorium, and is 30
shielded by an arched screen as TO be entirely
invisible to the audience. The scenery is beau
tifully executed and the mechanism is carried
to state Of such rare perfection that the
illusion as the drama progresses 10 never for an
instant broken. The scene shifting is carried
on by steam apparatus constructed in q small
building to the rear Of the stage.
WHERE WAGNER LIVED.
Situated at the opposite end of the town is
''Wahnfried," the home in which Wagner spent
his last days. On one side one enters the large
park, the walks of which meander, giving the
effect of great spaciousness. The care given
them is of a character which does not exclude
certain impression of wildness and solitude,
while not admitting in the slightest degree the
ides'o neglect.
The wsgnerian '.festspiel'' began this year
on July 81 and ended on the 21st Of August; it
tran and Isolda." '-rhe Master Singers Of NJ
remberg," "Tannhauser" and "Parstfal." The
last named can only be given In Bayrsuth a.
Frau Wagner has for . term Of years the right
of production. 1t is an exquisite, powerful
conception. Always impatient Of frivolity in art,
and aiming ever at q higher motive than mere
amusement in his works, Wagner here surpassed
everything which he had ever before accom-
rlished- The text and music in this as In all
his operas, are alike his own creations. The
first dim vision of .'Parsifsr' presented it
self to him as early as 1886, but being occupied
at that time with other work, he never began to
seriously work out the idea until he had COM
pletcd his "Nibelungen Ring " In 1877 the poem
"Parsifal was completed, but the instrument
tation OF the entire work was not fnished be-
fore January, 1892, and the first performance
vas given N Bayreuth on July 26 Of the same
year. King Ludwig placed his orchestra and
chorus, under the direction of Herman Levi
aud Franz Fischer, at Wagner's disposal, and
artists from the various German opera stages
were called to Bayreuth to sing in the principal
roles. This was the greatest triumph which
Wagner and his art ever achieved. People from
all over the world hocked to Bayreuth to see
this single opera. which was the only one given
that year. The fest lasted until August 20, dur
ing which time there were fifteen representa-
tions. The story Of "Parsifal" is dramatically
told in three acts.
The scene OF the first act is q magnificent
forest, supposed to be situated in the northern
mountains of Gothic Spain. whore Is the castle
Of tie Knights of the Grail" or cup from
WHICH ouT Loru ofanA at tne last supper.
ACT L
Gurnenanz. an old but vigorous kn;gbt IN,
accommodated NV tvo yo,r, s,,r,,.. -, l.
-,sSsHP,- "AA ue
ehIonsy erouses from sleep, ana e1norts
thetn nrst 70 morning prayer and then to pre-
pare lne pain 10, Amiortas, KING OF the Gralis
oynrdlans- VINO mas received wound which
VII not heal The two depart to do his bid
oins' anu ne is joined oy TWO otner knights,
WAC question MN concerning tne mystery con-
nectSd with tne wounded k,ns DE evades their
inquiries, ana wnhs tney sand listening TO him
'her al'enuon 10 attrnoted 10 an OBJECT which
proves 70 pe Anndry hnndry Is power
To conception, INTO whicn wagner has COM
Olneo se'ersl cnAhacteTs-iroh history, legend
and uyth- shs Is horocias, sort OF female
"Ahoerins Jew, ana mere Is soreeress, col
neaeue OF the MAGICIAN hIihgsor. Inc I'm.
Sersonstion Is Perhaps, the most difficult OF all
mae1er cIeauohs' our " was rendered oy
Frauiein hal'ern OF the Dresden Court Ihester
with power OF Interpretation and finish OF
execution which won the entire approval OF
wagner himself before his death
The soreeress has flown on wild horse TO
some spot IN the universe, 70 tnd In the secrets
Of nature the means by which the sufferer may
be heiped; entering she offers q crystal phial
70 Gurnemanz, telling him 1t Is balssm, and,
refusing to give any furthar Information a. TO
the nature of the phiaPs contents or her
journey, she finys herself down upon the earth
with the complaint, II am wearyi" During the
time in which sKundry" 10 supposed to sp-
proach them the music, which describes the
night is weird in the extreme, and SO marvel
80 -, 1t 4.