The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-11
DAMRCSCH REBUKEs HIS AUDIENCE.
They Wouldn't Sit : III In the Rain. Even
to Hear the Prelude to "Pnr.ifal."

They Wouldn't Sit : III In the Rain. Even
to Hear the Prelude to "Pmr.ifni."
Walter Damrosch created a sensation in the
big amphithcatre o! the Madison Square Gar
den last night, by turning around on his con-
tiuctor's stage before the symphony orchestra
and rcprimanding the audience for not keep
ing quiet.
1t was n" Wagner" night In tho series OF
concerts which Mr.. Damrosch's orchestra Is
giving. During the earlier part Of the evening
there were very few people in the amphithca-
tire. while the roof garden was crowded While
the orchestra was in tho middle of the delicate
prelude to 'Parsifal" tho rain came pouring
down. and there was big rustling and scram-
bling in the middle Of the hall. This part OF tho
amphithcatre is under the open roof. and the
people there got away from tho downpour
In lively fashion. The noise they made was
increased by the squcaking Of the machinery
hurriedly set in motion to close the roof Mr..
Damrosch, still gently waving his baton. turn.
cd around and cast a look Of depreciation ut the
scene before him. His look changed to trown
when there WAS great shutting and clattcr-
ing OF feet in tho galleries. and tho crowd on
the roof garden tumblcd down the stairs into
tho main hall. The people hurried for seats
and laughed and talked q good deal The
prelude to " Parsifal ended and the orcnos.
ira played the Song OF the Rhine Maidens."
from Die G0tterdammerunC" and the long
Prayer" from Rien2i."
Mr.. Damrosch was evidently very much con-
fused and annoyed by the noise. The rain
stopped. but people did not return to the roof
garden. md kent the walters busy bringing
cooling drinks to the tables. Then. lust he
from Die Walkhr.." Mr.. Damrosch turned
his pale face toward the audience. made IA low
bow. and said. very deliberately:
We hayo two entertainments here. ono
that Appeals to the eye and the other that ap-
peals to the ear. W on the roof they have
Skin; dancing. and that appeals to tn" eye. iut
here we liav" mus It.. and that appeals t. the
ear. Down here, therefore. the entertainment
W" have to offer demands quiet and beg Of
You to keep Quiet"
The people on the floor looIe ell ut each other
in IL scared way, and then broke out in faint
and rather trembling applause. Before this
died away the music brEan. When il WAS
over the audience discovered that the ,uin
was over too. and there Was an immediate
exodu. to the root garden. A gentleman who
in the Garden said:
at reminds me q little Of that famous oc-
cnsion when Mr.. Theodore Thomas taprei
with his baton on the music stand irfors him
stopped his orchestra. and, turning to the aI-
donce. said: ] am afraid. ladies aud gentle
mon that the music interlcrrs with the con
versation.' There was Il good deal OF noise.
no doubt. but the rain made it partly cX-
cusahle.
Mr.. Damrosch ought to remember. too that
this is not n concert hall eXacfly. and that us
long as drinks are served here ut tables and
waters movo about the absolute quiet OF u
music room can hardly be expected. This is
n great hall. ana il moro fitted for a brass
think that Mr. DamIosch. on the whole. was
little unreasonable