The sun., 1895-03-01
oERM<N OPERA.
" sieefrisa" I.sst Night at ths Mstropoii-
tan Opera House.

tnn Opera House.
The New York public is we'll acquainted with
Wagner's sieRfried," the second opera OF his
famous trilogy. although II was produced
here for the first time not very long ago.
IL had its first performance IN America
on Nov. 3. 1887, with cast in-
cluding Lehman, Alvarv, Frauleln Brandt,
Herr Fischer, Herr Ferenczy, who made
an admirable Mime: Won Milde, and Elm
blad. or all tho NiebelunRen Ring. "Sleg-
fried" has proved the greatest favorito
with our audiences. This was partly
owing TO the clever impersonation Of
SteUfried by Herr Alvary. who Is the only artist
that has ever assumed the role in America, and
partly TO the charm Of its fairy tnle plot and it's
beautiful picture OF youth and hope. as repre-
sented In It's vivncious and lusty young hero.
After having drawn series Of romantic and
picturesque figures such ns LohenOrfn, Tam
hdtscr, and the Flying Dtttohndn, Wagner felt
desire to portray some stronger hero, and to
this end ho searched tho Teutonic and Scandinn-
Wan legends for one of their most important per-
sonages and found SieUfried. II Is in this opera
that Wagner first makes use of the unrhymed
alliteIativc verse OF the old Scandinavian poets.
Like all the numbers OF the Trilogy, "Siegfried" "
appeals moro especially to tho earnest musician
or advanced student than TO the masses. 1t
would be almost sacrilege TO apply such hppant
expressions as flight" or popular" In their
ordinary meaning TO any Of Wagner's works,
but one may certainly name the earlier operas.
such as "Lohengrln." Tannhauser,"" Rlonzi."
and the Flying Dutchman," /" as possessing more
simplicity In the form of writing, and as having
melodies which, IL not so continuous. are less
involved and more easily grasped by the un-
tutored intelligence.
"Seefried" may be denominated solo
opera, from the fact that II has no chorus. and
again, and doubly, because Seiufried really car
ries the whole weight OF the performance on his
own shoulders Tho character is one Of the
most interesting in the whole range of
forcibly aud beautifully the buoyancy, vitality,
and checrfulncss OF youth. that state of being
conscious of, and Ia. which those who have IL
not continually sigh to return. Siegfried
inspiritng opera for the opening OF the German
conventional standpoint OF art the latter was
the more imposing and appropriate.
and enthusiastic one. Indeed i would be dim
moved by that strong and really thrill
ing impersonation of Sicatried given by
the outline, was @ere sITes and partiaS hi
filled in on his former appearances, but he has
hrosdened b dsn.s his delineaton and improved it
is unm more intense and %
distinct that every syllable can be easily heard
,ll over the large auditorium In fact, the au- |
dience was treated to much better enunciation |
last evening than was found in Tristan"
Mime, sung by Herr Paul Lange. very |
painstakinR and effective, impersonation, of
which. however, the outlines might be still |
deeper. engraven with benefit to his interprets-
tton. He might ,profltab!y bring out more
strongly the weird, unearthly, efish side of the |
lwarf nature.
The Forest Bird was attempted. and very
poorly attempted, by Miss Marcella Lindh. 1t
was not at all adequately done. since the
beautiful strains given to this little messen-
ger lost all their charm at her hands. Behrens
sang Edtner with excellent tone quality. |
but with not much precision. and he was badly
placed, being much too far forward on the stage.
he Aiherich of Herr Oberhauser and the Van
tCrcr of Herr SchwarZ were both good Herr
Schwarz being especially powerful and satisfac-
.ory both in voice and action.
As for the scenery, it was extremely fine. The
,hangc from the, mountain cave where Van
ierfr and EIdd have their duet to the scene
If Brhnnhilde's awakening was managed with
Unusual skill and effect. Tho Dragon was,
however. a tame and helpless beast who
orbore to belcb forth steam and fire. as all
veil bred and truly noble dragons should
such an adversary could easily be killed by any
ordinary man with an ordinary sword.
"Segfried " will be repeated at the matinee. |