New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-06

The writer OF the appended letter Of complaint
(Which. by-the-way. is a trfc too radical In state
menO has evidently forgotten that originally there
a sunken orchestra in the Metropolitan opera
House. and that even now the band is almost hid
den from the occupants OF th> chairs OIL the floor.
WA the Opera House wa but It WIS contom-
plaN tina; only the conductor should be visible 70
the Aldience and the instrumental pit now foorol
over. fully deep tho mystic abyss" OF
the Bayrou,h theatre All that + lacked Z, b, r.
realization of Wagner's wishes was III" hood which
the players in Bayrcuth from The spec
tators in the gallery. Before the first performance
in the house. however. Sgnor Vanesi objected to
the concea lment OF the band. and after imperfect
test persuaded Mr. Abbey TO demand Of the directors
that the floor OF the orchestra be raised TO ihis
the directors reluctantly consented. Subsequently,
under the German regime. the experiment, OF lower
Ing the band as originally contemplated waG tried.
but. II mistake not. Mr.. S",dl WAS dissatisfied
with the effect upon the bands tone and over since
the present compromise plan has been followed
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The account in last Sundays Tribune Of tic
contemplated improvements for mex, season repre-
sensations of Wagncrs music dramas al the Metro
politan Opera House was very interesting. and
works who are destined never 10 hear them under
the ideal conditions that prevail at Bayrcuth. but
with the feeling OF pleasure T. mingled one OF re-
greet that so much thought much time and
money should he spent upon detail that after AL Is
not essential to the artistic Performance" OF Wag
ners works. while the feature OF sunken
orchestra-the sine qua non TO satisfactory rem
untnougnt Of. not even ~ much as shgg"'tioh
made looking to the removal OF the present dbsolut"
barrier between artists and audience.
Is IL possible that there IS no ground beneath IN"
be dug The orchestra? II there is room for a
hole large enough for the entire band Is Their" not
enough for one in which to place the wind rstru-
ments? And II there Is not space enough for that
may there be sufficient found IN Wnlch to SINK
the brass least? Under tho admirable condHrior-
ship that We have become accustomed 10 during tn"
last two seasons the performances OF tho orchestra
have beer improved nearly out OF aoluhint"u'..
Those OF us who remember the earliest attempts
here render scenes from Wagncr's works IN the
SYMPHONY concerts Of twenty or more years ago can
scarcely believe ears for then inc brass utterly
sxtingusncl the singers. and v" had very similar
experience last winter when Plunkct Green under
took 10 sing one OF WOtans scenes TO Idftr ana
somewhat enthusiastic orchestral accompaniment.
with the result that WO;an was simply mot In IT,
Much has been done for us non BayrcuthcTs by the
eminent musician to whom We owe so much par
ticularlv for Tristan and Isolde. but 10 hear Wag
n.r's music dramas they should be heard Is alb
soutely possible TN they be done In theatre
IN which the orchestra is sunkcn as the great Rich
ard intended IL to be Are things 10 30 on forever
with this absolute blot upon III" face OF IN" attempt
10 render these works properly? j. there not sur
6cient enterprise In your great city 70 undertake
All of the later operate works-indecd those OF
C;ounod Meycrbccr and others AS well-wOuld b."
greatly benefited by the use OF sunkcn orchestra
This s the direction OF real Improvement III these
represcntations Ia this way only shall the Of
csatlantic music lovers come to satisfactory
hearing OF the immortal Richard. and through that
TO Intelligent appreciation OF ms splendid ar I
work II the expenditure Of time and money were
to,take this practical direction. were to b" directed
in This notable way toward lasting bcftcrmcnt or
thu conditions under which IN" music dramas may
ioice and would chcerfully-at least for the present
time-dispense with the floating clouds" with tho