Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-05-19
WAGNER IN PRIVATE LIFE.

WAGNER IN PRIVATE LIFE. "
An Employee Of the Grent Composer Re-
latos Some Interesting Notes.
DR. Hans Richter, the famous conductor,
!, will be remembered, after fulfilling
long engagement as horn player Mt the
Kartnerthor theater in Vienna was recon-
men(led by Esser to Wagner, then in need
of copyist and proceeded to Triebschen,
near Lucernc, where he spent upward Of
year October 1866, to December, 1867 under
his roof and made the first fair copy of the
"Meistelsingcr" OF his early experiences
Or. Richter speaks as follows: II was in
stalled in u ,uom on the upper story of the
villa and during the first three months of
nv sojourn lived there absolutely alone,
taking even my meals in solitude. Wag-
ner's study was just under my room, and
there he worked as a rule all the morning
without interruption. He was then en-
gagged on the 'Meistersingcr,' and when he
had finished page of the score he used to
bring it to me himself, often with the ink
still wet, and in my turn set to work to
copy it Immediately.
in the afternoon, after the midday meal,
which was regularly served at o'clock,
was with equal regularity expected to &C.
company Wagner on his walk, which al
ways lasted several hours. On these walks
Wagner generally appeared to be deeply
absorbed and did not speak. imagine
that he was still engaged in composition.
However, he insisted that should always
accompany him. At that time was still
extremely shy and reserved, with little ex-
~, <,p osotx 1,,,t thocx,
walks were to n certain extent part of my
duty fancied that it was obligatory upon
me to entertain the master who strobe 81
!ently by my side Goodness knows what
torturcs underwent in my efforts to find
subjects likely to interest him. positive
lytrembled as l started the dialogue on the
spur of the moment.
Zone day shortly after my arrival-it
was, think, our second or third walk-l
thought had hit upon capital subject
and ventured to sound Wagner upon his
own works. Can you tell me, Herr Wag-
ner, which opera you prefer" "Tnnnhaeus-
er" or "Tristan?"' Wagner burst into n
loud fit of laughter and replied, How can
you ask me such silly question:? That
was all his answer, and the conversation
ended there. From that day I never ven
tured to break silence unless Wagner gave
me the lead, so that our walks became more
silent than ever.''
Being asked whether Wagner ever con-
suited him on the use of the different in
struments, DR.. Richter replied:
mo. On this point Wagner had no need
Of advice. He was better informed than
any one else. On one single occasion. how
ever, he came up to my room with page
Of his score, still unblotted, and pointing
out passage said, DO you think this
phrase can be performed OH the horn ut SO
rapid tempo? Isn't it too difficulty? The
passage in question is in the finale of the
second act of the 'Meistersinger, where the
horn takes up the theme of Beckmesser's s
serenade.' l examined the passage and re-
assured him Immediately. Certainly it
can be played. but it will sound very queer
and nasal 'Capitalv cried Wagner, that's
exactly what meant it to be. 1t is sure to
nave comic effect And accordingly
had to take my horn and play the passage
over several times. Wagner was over
!oyed; the effect was exactly what he had
intended. had brought my horn with me
from Vienna, and in the summer evenings
fused to take boat and row Off to little
lslet opposite the villa, where, ensconced in
t1e long grass and underground, would
play on my favorite instrument till was
out Of breath. Next day Wagner would
question me:
say, Richter, what were you playing
Yesterday evening?'
Well, meister,' would reply, it was
passage from the "Meistersinger," and
"agnerwould smile and appear delighted.
Finally, on Christmas day, after had
oeeh nearly three months in the house,
was invited for the first time and presented
70 Nine. Cosima Wagner. From that day
onward was treated like one Of the house
nod and dined every day and spent every
evening in the family circle. Every evening
wagner used to read aloud. At that date
the Stories Of Hoffman were in great favor
anu Wagner read them incomparably with
1ne utmost animation. In this connection
remember that when Tristan was first
put IN rehearsal at Vienna in 1869 Wagne,
.ahle one day to read his poem to the artists
in order to enable them to enter into tht
spirit Of the work. Some of them after
ward declared that if Wagner had devoted
himself to the hstrionic career he would
certainly have become the most remarkable
actor of his time.
ne accompanied his reading with s
wealth of gesture and of facial play which
~ quote the words of the artists Of th'
;norg theatcr. while betraying his complete
ignorance of the tricks Of the trade. never
saeiess revealed IN extraordinary talent fol
u!cuon and representation. have men
v "ohed that Wagner's workroom, where HI
was engaged on the score of the 'Meister
sheer, was exactly underneath the room
", mnlch occupied in his house. During th'
40 months which spent at Triebschen
u' ''' positively state that never once heart
s,, she sound Of the piano in his room. Thi'
IHo"s h;.s' that when composing or noting dowl
;,s i,S IDEAS he was never in the habit of try
NY now 1t would sound ON the pianoforte.
Guide Musical
k.' 40 improve the complexion one shoult
p INC pores OF the skin open and keel
WHY v;"S tlie chaps. Wash the face and ears
c,,n ." very hot water; then put in sufficient
NV, ~" water to make it tepid for the body
l. "e 'ace should be washed in hot water a
l''s' Three times IL day.