The times., 1897-12-15

The disciples were few then and for sew
eral years. More recently IL has ex-
panded into tangible popularity German
opera is now on a pa wing basis, and
.Lohengrin" is sung many times every
season, and in Philadelphia and Boston W.
have witnessed the remarkable achieve
ments of eight and sixteen consecutive
performances of this particular opera.
Though HLohengrin" is not tie greatest
of Wagner's works by the meter OF the
WagneriaE school, it is most popular be-
cause most easily understood. The theme
is human, though bathed in a supernatural,
m ystic light. 1t is darkness against light;
doubt against faith. Elsa ) wea
woman, incompatible to Eva, Elizabeth,
Isolde or Bruphlde. She has not even
the consistency of character and dramatic
force OF the Sit lister Ortrud Moving in the
spadow. aggressive. yet defenseless, Telra-
mund and his wife are the dearest, most
nuIi4au and possible persons IN the drama
They are out Of tie mystic light Of Elsa
and Lohengrin, in a colder, mundane at
mosphere anu we know how TO feel with
them, If we cannot sympathize with them.
The music allotted to them is Of all in
this score the most prophetic OF the sub
lime achievements which tie master later
gave the world. Yet it, notably the duet
opening the second act. is less generally
appreciated than such passages as the
narrative, the wedding music and Elsa'S
portion.
The cast last night could scarcely have
beer bettered from the standpoin OF
An erican acquaintance with the German
ranks of singers. Lehman, to be sure, is
queer, of her native stage, but though she
could bring a greater voice to Elsa's
role, GGdSki is not deficient, and tile
younger woman endows the part WITH
youth, simplicity, and sympathetic quaii-
ties which delight tie eye and stimulate
the Imagination, while her truly great
voice satisfies even the scholarly ear. she
is the greatest Elsa Washington has seen.
This is the third consecutive season size
has sung the maidof Bra bant in the capital.
Sh, shared, last night, in a demonstration
OF approval which was not limited 60 one
OF two, but extended to every one of tne
great cast
hills Emil Fischer lives in he plentitnde
of his remarkable endo wments, there is no
asking for better King Henry. 1t is
distinctly generous Of Mr.. Damrosch TO
besto " such a famous singer in a secondary
role Frau StaudigI was quite acceptable
as ortrud, not light compliment, for
the role il the most eXacting in the opera.
All local precedents were shattered in the
arpeatance of Herr staudigl as the Herald.
For 50 long we have been accustomed 10
scs round little Wilhelm Mertens advance
to summon the 'Grafen, EdIe, Freie Won
Br.bant," that it has seemed quite inn
n M 81
A definite interest centercd in the first
locai appearance Of David Bispham. Mr.
Bisplau and Nine. Nordica are the only
Anie; leans who haveeverachieved celebrity
in Wagcerian roles. For five or six years
n has been Conspicuous on the foreign
opc-atiC stage, and last night We We're
/ given to easily understand why. He sang
/ Telrau und. and was ma gnificent in every
I detail. His voice is heavy and convincing.
/ without being gross by so much as a shade,
/ AM at certa Ia points he gave indications
/ OF yri- Ca paEinties which beget a longing
| to lear him in such roles as Valentine
/ an1 Alfio, or in a reading of some of the
( greater oratorios.
Ernest Krauss was the Knight Of the
Haly Grail, the silver clad Lohengria, and
/ T. was the hero of the evening in the ap-
prec.gtion of the audience as we'll as in
the associations OF the story. Only last
yea this remarks able young man discOv
cred hin self to Us, end his surprising per
fornancps of Iobeugrin and Seisrr'ed
raisa him a. once 20 secure heights As q
sharar With Ayary Of pre-eninence among
Gen al tenors. The quantity OF his yolce
is a, tuuislhng. ana the polish. smo0thneS
( even tc sweetness, expressly eness and tona
/ grandeur with which he has perfected 4
ar. equally matters of wonder Last might
h. was by token OF the memory of las
year. triumphs, given cordial reception
and az his performance progressed the IN
/ thus. asm intensified and eliminated afte
hi Incompatible rendering Of the narratiy
in tlio second scene of the third act
Nj. Walter Dsurosch conducted and rea6
the music with the fervor and dramatic
sincerity which is a dominant qualification
OF wha t yer he undertakes. His large OF
chs stra were more i'll evidence than on Mon
day evening. largely on account of the sig