Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-26
NOT UP TO STANDARD.
Wagnerian Societies Displeased With
the Present Festival.
THE YOUNG GUARD DENOUNCED.
Die Meistersinger Proves the Most Enjoy
able Opera in the Series.
SOME REVELATIONS IN THE SINGING
tBY CABLE TO THE DISPATCH. ]

BAYREUTH, July 25.-Almost so years
ago, while resting in a country town far
from the glare of the footlights, Richard
Wagner began his response to the calls of
his friends for an opera ''in lighter style. u
Wagner himself said that he was resolved
that the work should be a comic opera.
The result of his resolution was "Die
Meistersinger Won Nuremberg" which,
however, was not completed until 1867, and
is the eighth in order of the masters pub
llshed works. In Germany, "Die Meister-
singer" is of all Wagner's operas the most
popular use the word in its strict sig
| nifcance.
With Mozart's "Don Juan" and Weber's
"Freischuetz" it attracts most strongly the
German bourgeoisie and forms the connecting
link between the high Wagernian school
and the people. Perhaps for this reason,
perhaps on account of the fneness of the
weather, the absence of the high artistic
element was more notable to-day, than
heretofore, and the crowds which made
their way up the hill to the Wagnerian
Temple seemed to consist mostly of pleas
ure-loving aud music.loving Germans. The
men and women of fame in art and society
who have been exceptionally few at the
three preceding performances were almost
entirely lacking to-day. The Americans in
the house were also few in number.
A Boon to All Who Were There.
The performance, however, was boon to
| all who witnessed it. "Die Meistersinger"
probably has never been given with finer
effect, and the work of the singers, from
| beginning to end, was a more than worthy
close of the first series of performances. In
point of ensemble 1t was bv far the best
achievement of the festival. 'Parsifar' and
| 'Tristan and Isolde" showed finer individ-
| ual effort, but neither was so finished in its
entirety.
The conspicuous part assigned to the
| chorus was an important factor in the work
toward this result for the chorus had been
| drilled with the utmost care and did its part
| with a smoothness, unanimity and spirit
! which have never known to be equaled
| elsewhere. The minor parts showed the
| same conscientious and appreciative prep
| aration. and the whole performance stands
out as a happy realization OF Wagnerlan
ideals
Gura, of Munich, was Hans Sachs He has
long been accepted as the best interpreter
of the part, and to-day he was fully abreast
of his reputation. Years have worn his
voice, but his art is so consummate that it
| ment He has devoted long period to the
study of the part and this, together with
his natural sympathy with such a role, has
made him the ideal of the German cobbler-
poet.
Some of the Best Work.
Era was sung by Fraeulien Mulder, royal
court singer in Stuttgart. Fraeulien
Mulder is one of the young guard, and does
high credit to the sagacity of Frau Cosima-
She was specially trained by the latter, and
was almost above criticism, She has
fresh voice of rare maidenIy charm and a
simple innocent presence, which won her
the complete sympathy of the audience from
the moment of her first appearance.
As Wahher von Stolzing, Antilles, of Dres-
den, surpassed expectation. His voice and
stage presence were known to be satisfac-
tory in the part, which ne has taken fire.
quently in Dresden, but it was said he was
lacking in endurance. This proved to be
otherwise, at least to-day, although the repe-
tition of his part may tell upon him be-
fore the end OF the festival. Antilles has
delightful, pure tenor voice, an excep-
tionally agreeable presence, and a good ap-
probation of the requirements of his
role. Although not to be compared with
the present day in Germany. The audience
held its breath as he sang the opening lines
of "Morgenlicht Leuchtend i'm Rosigen
Scheme, and suppressed ripple of enthus-
lasm passed over the house when his clear,
happy voice died away and the familiar
prize song, which many had come scores
of miles to hear, was rendered.
Excellent Conducting Once More.
As heretofore Hoffmeller, of Dresden, in
the part of David, was capital. Nebe, of
Carlsruhe, as BeckmeisSer observed the ira
ditions conscientiously and was satisfactory
Felix Mottl conducted mastertullv. He
is one of the first lions of the festival, and
to-day his remarkable work was recognized
in the cheers which followed the close of
the opera. Dr.. Hans Richter, of Vienna,
graphed that he was ill. He is confidently
expected to be here. however, August IA to
49, DR.. Carl Muck, of Prague, probably
will not be needed to conduct, although he
was engaged by the management.
A feature Of the performance to-day was
the conducting by Siegfried Wagner
the masters son, in the first act. This is
his first appearance in an active part He
is said to possess much talent At the be-
ginning Of July he returned to Bayreuth
from trip half way around the world.
During his journey he accomplished con-
siderable literary and musical work, which
persons who have seen it say shows high |
abilities. Frau Cosima has high hopes of |
him. Certainly no man has ever entered |
the world with finer heritage and better |
opportunities for his chosen career. Should |
his mother live she undoubtedly will abdi- |
cate in his favor within few years. and
should she die soon, he will be the heir to
her musical position here.
The Wagner Societies Dissatisfied.
The Wagner Societies are not satisfied
with the work at the festival, this year or
in the preceding years, and have held
meeting to discuss the best means of raising
the standard of the performances here
The young guard of Frau Cosima W as the
subject of considerable veiled criticism, and
the Burgomaster spoke at length in favor of
ommitting the festival until the
younger singers could be educated
to grasp their parts in the
spirit of Richard Wagner" The sem
timent of the meeting was in favor of Civ
ing no more performances for three or four
years. However, as I explained in nv
first letter, financial consideration and mat
ters connected with the copyright on 'Par-
sifaP' will probably induce the manage
ment to continue the festival as heretofore.
There will be 16 more festival perform
of "Parsfal'' and three each
Of Tristan and Isolde, I" "Iannhaueser"
and 'Die Meistersinger. All seats which
have been vacat ed since the opening of the
festival have been sold.
W. Won SACHS.
WAR SHIPS TO TAKE PART