New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-14
MUSIC.
WAGNER'S COMEDY.

Wagner's die Mestersnger" was proHu0'u -,
Walter Damrosch's company at the Acaue"'' ~
Music last night. In all respects IL was -.
commendable representation. but In nothi"s ~.
than the manner in which the ocai coio %
comedy was preserved. Many excellent represe",a
tons OF tho work have been given here wi'ho"' e'
Ing quetus to the question as 10 whe'n.' - OIL.
the play ought to be set down as a comedy. O'''y
those who knew how perfectly the composi''o' IN
whole fitted the true definition OF comedy "ei 49,
ing to admit that all the requirements of the oe
ton were amply met In Wagners creation. "'
Damroschs people seemed determined last hs"' ~
enforce the fact upon everybody. The perio' ~.
unique compared with that given ~ '"e
Metropolitan Opera House. in that al INC ~.
formers who called on for important pau"
seemed to have an understanding OF what ni' "
medieval German city was like. 1t would not 10 ~
say that Mr.. Fischers Hans Sachs htted e"'ie'y
into the picture. for 1t was the old, pig-heai'u
character OF whom II Is difficult TO speak III co"-
demnation. because Of Its amability ana inc III
gratiating nature OF its music; but there was ~
much else TO call up the appropriate picture una"
record may we'll occupy itself chiefly with inc ~"
mrable features OF the entertainment. Ana III ''s
respect 1t is Mr. Fischer who must be accFeuI'eu
with a notable achievement lie knew the diner
ence between the olden time and the present. Dut "o
did not permit the fact TO Interfere with MS con"
ception. and he gave us copy OF the same copo',
poet whom ne had introduced TO us at the Metropon
tan Opera House years aBo-a little too s''''N
feeling possibly, but still simple rude burgher Vi
a city In which was housed the best Of Europe ART
and learning at the time Friulein Gadsky was en-
tremey earnest I'm her desire to reach the drana-
lists requirements but her notion OF the character
OF Eva (most admirable in some respects) seeinen 10
have been formed upon conception OF the s'"p'
life Of an ordinary German village and not OF cry
famous for its wealth. social aristocracy ana nis''!
Her Eva lacked a little much In the essentials Oh
graceful bearing sef-respect and repose Mt stem
mans Beckmesser was interesting study, pe-
cause OF his manifest effort to avoid the accepted
type which makes OF the character an undisgu'Se"
bunfoon with n strong dash of malice In his na.urc'
and he won much applause for the impersoha''o"
and what is better. deserved It all
AS for Herr Gruenings Walther. II woula DC
pea SAINT duty to record success for II Ike tha' won
by the majority Of Its companions. but the par -
essentially lyric one and Herr Gruenings uncor-
promising hardness Of voice and method maze II I'M
possible 70 listen to It with complete satis'acuon
Mr. Merten developed praiseworthy talents as Il
representative OF Kothncr. and Mr. Behrens sang
we'll though II seemed impossible for MIN 10 40
more az Pognir. Herr Lohse conducted with ad-
mIrable skill and the orchestra contributed
notable factor In the evenings enjoyment That
the enjoyment was keen scarcely needs 10 he SAID
Mr. Damroschs enterprise has won warm place
in the hearts Of the people because OF Its obvious
seriousness and he never point without
being made conscious OF the appreciation OF the
public