New-York tribune., 1896-11-28
MUSIC.
"LOHENGRIN" IN GERMAN.

The first of the German representations at the
Metropolitan Opera House for this season took place
last night. The opera "Lohengrin," the most
familiar work Of the German list in all the world
capitals. Anton Scdl conduc;ed-a circumstance
which II Is necessary to know order 10 unders and
some Of the distinctions which may be made pres
entity between the conventional Lohengrln and that
OF last night: also Mr.. Sedl had command of his own
instrumental forces instead OF the regular orchestra
OF the opera house. The cast was as follows: Elsa
Nine Eames; Or,rud. Mile Oltzka: Lohengrln NJ.
Jean de Rcszke; Teramund Mr. David B!spham:
konig Heinrich. VI. Edouard de Reszk, der Herr
rufer. VI. de Vries These people sang The orig nal
version OF the text: the chorus sang Italian Of the
lower Silurian operate period. When 10 these
statements 1t Is added that the audience was
the most numerous of any since the opening
night. the first of the season whose enthusiasm
took fire early In the evening and blazed up in
rapturous plaudts after every act. and that Mr.
Seidl came In for a generous share of the gadsome
demonstrations the facts of the case may be said
to have been put on record. far as they forced
themselves upon the recognition of all. irrespective
or differences in taste and Judgment.
But that Is "A small almost an inconseuuentiaI
part of the real story Of the evening II was per-
formancc which was infused from beginning TO end
with spirit that has been painfully absent from
the Metropolitan representations thus far. II was
lifted far above the rut OF cOnvcn,ionaliy and ror-
tine. which the deadllest enemies that the lyric
uIuIHd HAS 10 cc,iltnu against tnr world Was
this because the German language was used? Ulti-
mately yes; for II the circumstance that the
performance belonged to the projected German
series that Mr. Seidl was concerned In II. and that
his "arnestness. his warmth Of feeling His appre-
citation OF the dramatic forceuncss Of the and
music communicated TO the performers
1t may also bc said. In justice 10 a truth which
ought long ago TO hav. become obvious to every
body that Wlgncrs operas are like those Of every
French and Italian composer. in that they are most
effective in the language In which they were writ
ten. For those whose appreciation for the lyric
drama does MT go beyond It's "ascivious pleas
ngs" this may have little or significance. but II
has much for the greater number Of better intel
lectua and aesthetic mould. ANOTHER aspect Of the
case invites consideration from the circumstance
that, Of all the artists who sang German last night.
not used his native tongue. Tho de R.szkes
and Mile Olitzka are Poles. Nine. Eanes and Mr..
Bispham Amercans NJ. de Vries is Belgian.
If these good people can sing In Geinal, and. ior
the greater part. sing II with a distnctness OF
cnunciation. correctness OF defamation ana pro-
nunciation and freedom from dialect which ought
to excite the emulation OF many OF the singers we
hear who To the German manner born. why
might they not sing also IN English DOCS not a
representation OF last night point ihe way TO opera
In the yernacular and an end OF the foolish con-
uoyersy about which of three foreign languages
But if we ever reach such cosuminafion. ana
have performance Ike that Of last night. 1t will
sin be proper. until the regeneration OF the opera
i complete. 10 call II German performance, ior
SlUnlncantt
use of the German language. As 1t Is understood
where the influence OF Wagner Is potent. II means
the vtazing OF all tho elements concerned In the
representation. and an honest effort on the part
OF all 10 produce an art-work instead Of provding
an idle diversion II was delightful last night 10
note how the new spirit proclrimcd In N"
acting and singing of Nine. Eam's'. NJ Jean d,.
Reszkc and Mr.. Bspham. only In the fossiliz.d
chorus and the hopc"ssly conventional Ml"
Olitzka and NJ de Nrics did the dun old. operate
slack hide the glow OF the new gold. Mm" Ehines
was "a siatuesquely beautiful Elsa. a bit too st"tu-
esluo of course. carry tho conviction To every
body that her heart was alternately torn by crt''
accusation allied with dreamy fancirs. alive WIN
hop. love reverence. alteration, tossed by curl
osty doubt. suspicion and finally dead"ned with
despair but s'ill "A figure that warmed the emo
tons She sang she looked with Inc same
beauty but with the sam" shortconng III ~"
qualities that compel sympathy. NJ jean q"
R.sZkc all pur" and noble passion FROM the
beginning unlik. his usual manner. he poured out
Gu"rcc Itself every ton" tru" as GOLD. ana ho'
lion either In iIticrance action. Mr. Esphnm :
perhaps little too sinister. Irrhar- TOO. hiiI"
.,x'rnvnganf IN action and unnecessarily 'Nplo-
siye but A truly dramatic conception ana on"
'ha, holds N. attention In marked d"gr"" ~"
sings The music with splendid f"rvOr. ana MS
voice has tones FOR every phas" ~ his conception.
He f. 81 most yrluah" acquisition 20 ~" company "
ranks Dlgnihei. imposing. iun'ful. sonorous was
NJ EdOuard d" Kcszkc ~ IN" king.
This afternoon la Favoriin" will u" sung In
place Of "Iucia.' owing 70 Nine M'ihas Illness.
and this evening IA" op"rn VIII b" Aida"