The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-11-06
MIR. DEANS LECTURES DEFENDED.

An Anonymous Writer Think "Wag-
n~erian's' Critic Too Severe.
The JERSEY CITY NEWS does not as a
rule publish anonymous communion
tions. but as the. following is written in
the defensive, and evidently by one tu-
terested in the management of Mr..
Deans lectures. we give it. We would
again call attention to the necessity OF
writers sending their names with all
communications, not necessarily for pub
llcation.
To the Editor ct The jersey Cits Netus:
10 an article published S ,turday even
ing in your columns signed Wagner
iau," the first of the course of eight Dean
lectures at Hasbrouck Hall Is severely
critised; and while some points against
the performances, which tbs writer of the
article makes, are perm FPS just, l believe,
as a whole, his criticism Is unfair and
some of it very unkind. 1t was unfor>
tunuts thai the owners OF the nall had
not more carefully looked after the
manipulation of their new and beautiful
scenery, and so have SD red tha
audience from hearing a squeaky crauk
lowering the curtain, rung down by u
bell far TOO loud. IL was unfortunate.
too, hat some of tho numerous parts
could not have had another rehearsal;
bGl tAlS00 ~ 1ApSN 49, Ah4oh &Ao
should not be emphasized. r"Wagner-
ian" evidently came from his high seat
of musical learning. expecting to near n
| close analysis of WaRner's music, IT,
stead of, as advertised, al illus
trated lecture on "Wagner's Heroines;"
and l should judge. from his repeated
| ~allusion TO "scnool girls" and from his
wholesale criticism of everything, that he
| expected to see for fifty cents a Metro
! politan Opera House stage filed with the
celebrities frcm the German Opera Coui~
| pany. Mr.. Frederick Dean is not only an
able musician but he Is recognized as
an exceptionally well informed and
His style of delivery is conversational
/ and quiet, yet earnest and dIguiied. more
| suited to MS matter than il he adopted
much of spread eagleism In speaking.
How 'Wagnerjau" could nave expected
more refined thoughts expressed In
| choicer words than Mr.. Deau gave mis-
audience on his theme for the evening Is
beyond my comprehension. Mr.. Dean
also gave as the best st~rationsdin
tableaux and music obtainable In this
city. We happen to know that several
Of the costumes worn that evening were
prepared in DEAL by a esle.
and all were arranged after photographs
of leading professionals who have
| taken from time to time the roles of
Wagner's Heroines. The chorus OF
selected voices under Mr.. Baier's con.
ductnrsnip assisted such well knowu
musical artists as Miss Lucy f. Nelson.
Miss Florence Turner, Mrs. Hunter
Brown, Mr.. Becker. Mr.. Case aud M.
Baier. TO say that any of these people
should not attempt to interpret Wagner's
music Is TO say what | tniuk is unjust
and very unklnd, and, as l have ABOVE
intimated. Indicates that "Wagnerlan"
expected thai Mr.. Dean would bring to
jersey City to Illustrate his lecture,
emma Eames, Emil Fischer and Stars 10
German opera.
No, Mi. Editor. let US be thankful for
any sincere attempt to Instruct our
minds and elevate u tastes. and, rather
than end fault because everything nay
not be TO our liking or ex~psctatiou. let
us kindly encourage and applaud the
gdo / and deserving. especially M even
ing's work which was as praI ,eworthy as
that given at Hasorouck Hall last FRI
day evening before a delighted audience.
FAIRNESS.