New-York tribune., 1896-12-31
W4CNER'S "STEGFRIED."

An Interesting experiment made at the
Metropolitan Opera House last night 'Segfred"
was performed In German. and In II three artists
to whom until recently not only the drama but
even its language strange essayed roles for
the first time. They Nine. Melba 'Briinn-
hlde) NJ Jean ie Reszke tSiegfried) and Edousrd
de Reszke der Wanderer). Ia the cast there was
one German a tenor specially brought across the
Atlantic to enact the part OF Mime. There was an
American Of German antecedents. Miss
Traubmann. who sang the music Of the Forest
Bird ard American TO the manner born IN all
things Mr. Bspham 'Alberich who proved TO he
AZ good Tcuton any or them. Finally there
was a Frenchman. a native Of Marseilles VINO. as
Fafner. accomplished things which must have as
tonished him. though he found il much more difn
cult than his colleagues TO establish himself on
terms OF intimacy with Wagncr's alltoratiyo con-
sonants and what doubtless seemed TO him un-
couth vowel sounds. The drana lasted till after
midnight and Nine Mclta could not be seen nor
heard until it's las, hour The reviewers for the
newspaper press were privileged. through the
courtesy OF the mana cement to attend n rehearsal
last Sunday. but rehcarsals do not furnish fair
basis for judgment rnder the bcs, OF circum-
stances and there were too many unproptious
things connected with the rehearsal Of last Sun
day afford such a study ths production i'm
pcratively demands. Neither did the time at the
command Of the newspaper writers last night Wa
prefer therefore 10 content ourselves with record
Of facts to-day. Such = record - bee truthful In
spirit would have 20 be- couchcl IN glowing Ian
guage. FOR the representation was one of the
most remarkable la III" history of New
York opera II would have strained the croduliy
cf stranger 70 loral operate affairs 20 believe
thst II WAS first performance. 20 ir'rncd was /,
in all respects. 50 fun Of the spirit 90 the work 50
enthusiastic. instinct with life pa sion and
tional color. perfect in lis picturesque acces-
sorics. The accomplish mont of NJ Jean DE- R.szks
las little short Of mira j." Ills every word
every tone. every pose. every action. was hrmmifg
over with youthful energy. Ngor. enthusiasm. His
S"gfred proved To bc u worthy companions -pcc. .
his Tristan. with which last year De- enriched the
experience Of the friends well The %
the Wagnerian drama. bat artistic creation
was even more amazing. NOR" bcwild'ring. More
cannot he said Nine. Mclha'S share IN the
performance car not be discussed even IN general
terms. Her undertaking was more Veuiurcsoms
than NJ de Rcszke's
The story Of the reception Of the work might
prohtably occupy column. The audience was
marvellously brilliant in appearance and crowded
the aud!ence-rooE There but few in a..
gathering II may be safely assumed TO whom the
drama was new and the tribute of its enthusiasm
was strikingly and significantly beautiful and fra
grant \ whirlwiEd Of enthusiasm shook the house
after the frst act. and ever thereafter lovely
citemen' thrilled through the audience and cll-
minated In rapturous demonstration whenever op-
porunty offered. In all these exhibitions OF glad
ness Mr. S.idl remembered and him.
deed. next TO NJ De Keszke was due the success
Of the evening.