New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-22
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A NEW GERMAN OPERA.

MATAsWINTIA Oper I'm drei Aufzueeen. Text
mach Felix Dahns Elm kamPi un hpn; Ion
LeTsc Breitkopf und llaerte
This Is tho grand opera which Xaver scharwenka
completed last year. and Of which he produ'ei ."'
numbers the with which he introduced MN
.eIf TO New.York two ycars ago. The famous Lcpslc
publishers who have printed the pianoor" score nave
given the book attractive form, and the engraved
pages notable Tor clcarness and elegance hd'"
wintha- f. opera rather than lyric draia 'hp"1"
far removed from the opera of nifty years "-"' 4N
model might be said to be Lohcngiin. or the nor"
recent works OF t,oldmark by this j. meant that II
Is not built up IN the manner Introduced by wagner
In last period. nor yet does II sacflhcc d'""'o
feeling 10 form the old operas do. In It's store
the device Of typical phrases Is used Du 'her' - W
a great deal of Independent melody ana an c"o''
(which "a simple reading would seem to sci down a'
decidedly successful 10 give the music an e'eIsc"o
md ru,eed character in keeping with the story OF
the drama. It's book is thoroughly excellent lroh
literary point Of view, but we should imagine "o'ho-
what disappointing from dramatic by thls Is meant
that the versncaton is fluent without being common
place the variety emotion such as TO provide inc
with those contrasts which essential -
him hut there is a paucity OF action which VIII pre-
vent the work taking a place among 'he H"'i'ai
dramas OF today The poets chief accomplishment mas
been the providing OF situations which b1nS the wloe
spectacular and musical apparatus into effective use
in the way of celebration. Things are sung about
not done.
The story deals with a crisis IN the history OF the
Gothic empire after the death OF Theodore Inc
soldery inccnsed at the pertdy of.kinS IheOdahau'
have raised their chiciain, Witichis. TO the KING
ship In the peaceful intervals OF his stormy lie
Witicbis lives in a Roman villa with Rauthgundis'
whom he had secretly married In this retreat ne Is
found BY an embassy of GOths from Ravenhi' VINO
come to Announce the refusal OF the capital 10 lecoS
nze witicbi, as King unless he shall marry Maaswln
thu. the great granddaughter of Theodoric "iuchis
IT, for l. wi
relled TO Weld TO the demands of state by his fol
lowers who hold him the terms OF his coronation
oathto yield up every personal consideration TO tne
welfare OF his people. Though heart brohen. hauth
gunds, hearing the terms of his OATH Insists Oh It's
f11lment and Witiohis tears himself from her arms
TO accompany the ambassadors TO RaVenna' lhIe
he takes Mataswintha. who Is already deeply olaIn-
ored OF him. TO wife, but on the bridal night places
Ills sword upon her couch and informs her that the
marriage with her was wholly political and That he
would never prove aithlcss to an Garner love vow
The awful discovery changes MataSwlnthas love u
hate In pursuit OF vengeance she betrays the KING
1lans TO Besarus who take, advantage OF the
information to drive Wtchis within the walls
ard lay siege to the capital. Wltichis makes las
sally against the icsiegcrs. but is again rcplsc lie
l. brought back 10 Ravcnna fatally wounded, ana
finds the granary which had been filed agains' the
expected siege in flames He dies In the arms oi
Ratt hclindis bad sought the city in disguise 10
look upon her loved lord for the last time Maas |
wintha finds a double triumph In the destruction OF
the faithful lovers celebrates II in sweeping tong |
Of juldlation, and paunges into the burning grlnay
10 viii h her own hands had communicated the IRE |
There are many points OF resemblance between the |
opera and Of It's predecessors both In story ana
treatment. but the music feels full Of stress and 1as
sion. Is ample opportunity for brave spectacle
m the play and a performance Of Nataswintha," |
here or in Germany might be looked forward 10 with
uncommon interest.