The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-11

and over again, made drawings for the
costumes and scenery for the Parsivai per-
Torrance until they were suitable, IN CO.
operation with Brandt, the excellent stage
machinist, who made so many things pos
sible on the stage which were hitherto
considered out of question. The coun-
tesses Schleinitz and Usedorn occupied
themselves with the little Siegfried, still
in knee breeches.
Wagner's wife was the center of the
conversation. She had a kind and apt
word for everybody. Being the daughter
OF Able LIszt, she was endowed with con-
siderable musical talent and had enjoyed
wide educ2tlon; also during her mar
riage with Won Bulow she had associated
with very intelligence circle. and so
found 1t an easy task TO play the
hostess among such illustrious COM
father, Able List, who seemed
as ready as ever to bestow the kiss of con-
secration on every young lady with musi-
cal talent Joseph Rubinstein. the brother
of the pianist, took notes. as he was a cor
respondent of several leading European
papers. Wagner was in great spirits. When
Betz entered he shouted "Hojotoho" of the
Valkyris as a greeting; later on he led a
Beethoven quartette with such enthusiasm
that he broke his baton.
The evening was also make memorable
by quarrel between Wagner and Hans
lick, the musical critic. The former was
in teasing mood and asked his guest
rather sarcastically, well, Hanslick, did
you tabricate another essay in which you
show US what music really is?' This
offended Hanslick and he left. 'Oh, dear
little Hanslick will come again" Wagner
laughed but he was mistaken; Hanslick
never renewed the friendship"
A young politician, q great enthusiast
on Wagner and Bismarck, explained how
very interesting book could be written,
making a comparative study of those two
men, the statesman giving US united
Germany and the artist giving it ma
tionai art.
During the evening Wilhelmj, the great
virtuoso, who did not consider himself
good enough to play the first violin in the
Bayreuth orchestra, played 4 solo, and
BetZ and Materna sang. One OF the great
est attractions was, however, when the
young Saint Saens sat down at the piano
and played with good taste and clever
technique. selections from Wagner's ope-
ras and giving as an encore his own
Dance Macabre." To perform before
such an audience successfully was a
greater triumph than to rlay in public I'M
der the greatest ovations.
But what silence reigned among the en-
thralled audience while the old List per-
formed one of his unpublished works,
playing with almost supernatural per-
lection! And when he concluded there
was no applause, his hearers were too
deeply impressed for words, and Saint
Saens murmured: THAT is enough to en-
courage any pianist"
A rus.ling OF the curtains disturbed my
revere. Cosmio Wagner entered, tall and
slender, her sharply defined but beautiful
features showing traces OF great sorrow.
A few strings of pearls, narrow rutiie of
lace at the neck and wrists was all the or
nament on her simple, black dress. Her
hair was still parted in the center, which
only becomes women with very beautiful
or prominent features.
The short visit l paid was merely one of
politeness, besides to inquire about her
son Siegfried, who is studying architect
ure. While discussing on private topics,
she complained to me how difficult
she found it to continue living as
she did with her husband, as Wag-
ner has left her nothing but the
tantieme from his operas. She
lives a very secluded life and is reserved
in her manner, not caring to enter into
any discussions. | expressed a wish to
see the maestros grave. So we walked
through the little garden adjoining the
royal part, with its abundance of flowers,
its dollhouse with rare tropical plants,
vo!iere with peacocks, fasans and pigeons,
and came to a vault with an enormous
gravestone of beautiful gray, streaked
with white and very simple ornaments.
She spoke of the funeral and remarked
finally: 1.-THE public knows more about
tend to anything. But when | visited the
vault the following morning I found on
the top of the others huge wreath,
placed there early iii the morning by the
king IN person, who did not attend the
funeral"