The sun., 1895-03-02
A N USEM EN1S.
" Lohersrip" nt tho Me,ropoiit.u Opera
Houss

Last evening the Metropolitan took on gala
appearance. Both on and OF the stage vivacity,
energy. and enthusiasm reigned supreme. The
audience felt that they might enjoy, without too
severe an intellectual effort, the musical feast
purveyed to them by Mr.. Damrosch and his
legion OF assistants. and. compared with the as
scmblages gathered on the two first evenings.
spirit OF extreme gayety and ease pervaded
the house. On the stage everything was
tinged with German colors and pcrmeatel with
rcutonic Influences. There was the sincerity.
Inconsistencies. directness. and vigor which
are characteristic of the German race.
There is more opportunity for the display OF
"ngcnntry in Lohengrin than in most operas.
these chances being fully utilized by the
m tGtmsnt fine fl cts OF groupings and
OF rors were obtained. In fact, the en-
tire ,criormancc was w. 10 high standard.
equal in merit throughout all its parts So
nincd excellence and in vocalsm and
splend9r of scene. The costumes were
very different from those to which we
have before been accustomed less STACEY and
artificial aud more historically accurate There
was symmetry both Of form and color in the
dress of the women. while the pages wore espe-
Ciully becoming costumes.
In the scene of the marriage procession quite
new stage management was noticeable, the
decorations were @ elaborate hut were of ever
greens instend Of flowers. and the scene was both
wonted perfection by the addition of about
IL hundred measures and five moments OF action
preceding the entrance 10 the church: This
part of the opera has never been given before.
being one Of the established cuts.
Two newcomers. Frau Gndski and Herr Roth
mnhl, made their first appearance last night
in the roles Of the heroine and hero.
Both have interesting, personalities and are
powerful and beautiful voices. and both are sat
sfactorv from a purely dramatic standpoint.
Frau Gadski was II trihe crampcd and an
and arms. especially in the first act.
and her dress there was unpOetic and trying.
some of her stiffness was undoubtedly duo to
the nervousness OF n first appearance as was
probably the slight sharpening of the pitch no
ticeable in the first half Of the performance.
Herr ROthm0h commented himself strongly
to the audience by voice of unusual warmth
and beauty Of tone. which he manages vii con-
siderable Skill but which might be work ed out to
better advantage especially on high notes by n
greater perfection of method. Nevertheless
depth Of feeling. his intense sentiment, and
real expression in singing ought to make
him not only most valuable member of the
troupe, but prime favortc with the New York
public. lilo is cminent!y suited to romantic
roles. both in voice and action.
Throughout all the performances the orches-
ira has been dol ng good work. never better than
on this occasion. The string instruments
grin" we're beautifully smooth. Al certain
times in Tristan" and "Siegfred tho brass
preponderated in an unpleasant proportion.
entire last evening follows: Elsa, Frau Gadski:
DrtrHd, Fraulein Brema; Lobcngrin. y. Roth
mNhl; EiIg, t.Behrens; Telrumund, +. Schwarz;
HcrdIi. K. Obernauser.
Fraulein Brema's Ortrud compares favorably
with the best interpretations Of the character
ever given here IL we consider her performance
dramatically. NoCally there was much to wish
forced and evidently uncomfortable for the
singer.