The sun., 1897-01-03
THE OPERA.



Quite as large, eager. and enthusiastic an au-
dirnce ms that OF last Wednesday evening was
assembled yesterday afternoon to witness the
second performance of "Siegtr!ed." The
morning papers had announced that Nine.
Melba would not sing BrunnhRdc. ana
that her place would be supplied by
Nine. Litvinne, yet even this did not seem TO
deter any one who originally concluded to be
present at the matinee from carrying out
his intention. Tho house was one of the
most crowded ever seen in the Motropol-
itan. while applause and curtain calls reached
their furthest limit. Numbers OF faithful
aiorcrs of the great tenor gathered In gentle
mob at both corners In front ~ tho stage when
the curtain went down upon the last act Offer
ing up to DE Resakc their braves and their ad
mrihg glancos from the nearest possible range
rs he crossed and recrOsscd behind tho loot
Ills performance indeed is worthy OF all earn
est cOmmcndation. although II need have sur
priscd nobody that an artist holding for years
the foremost position De kcsZkc has occupied
one who has again aud again proved himself a
mnsier IN his art. should now be capable OF Civ
Ing an adequate rendering even to so exacting
role as that OF Snglisd me IN. most moit
ration IL tho evidently loving ardor
with which he throws himself into the
dcllneation Of the charming youth. and that
qucting tile transccnhent difficulties presented
by Wasner's score. 70 DC Bc-2kc. who knows
pR%S. a. sarc i &c Tsns hS to- to
meet his musical match, 50 to spenk.
md his rendering shows that his knowledge OF
"siegfried" Is mature; that lac IL acquainted
with the score Though oil its ihs aud outs. Ills
performance makes N"gtrish genial and inter
esting at every moment; ana at times.
As for instance where .Nimc threatens his life.
he is full Of subtle sngges,iveness OF tue
thought that passes through the mind Of the
hero. His enumeration Is Just about perfect.
nc.s of his consummate * III that every phrase
= q
Wagner ID sometimes accused ci putting into
the mouths OF his personages
mischicvcus, DE Reszkn might make his hero.
aud he might with rroht tone doTna irIiie the
replacing some OF that untUtured DOidness 10y
litt!c reyerential ienderness. However. In view
quent treatment OF BrHHIhHic. perhaps DE
EcsZke's dea - the proleT ono.
The entire pteseutatiOn Of "SicRfried" IL up
TO the highest Imaginable standard OF excel
lence, and II quite al epoch. making production.
1t ID a curious opera. ia that there are never
moro than two people ut hny moment upon ths
stage. unless the bear and the dragon and the
bird be counted IN As thirds. Yet the keenest
interest Is Kept alive continually.
Nun. IiJorich. u pfuH. k,dd, and the FpT'st
BTd are all spleEddIy competent Ia the present
riorio,,s n, lsical rxposition Of The UGmG,rer',
role, which, at the LANDS Of many, has proved n
most tresome one; B,unhnG. seems ~ present
an unstable production. shifting about sud
denly from one pri;nU Gunnh to another. Nine.
Litvinne gained gu.Iea opinions yesterday by
a.
tatiun ut the rolO OF the deH!-gOddcss. This
versatile artist TIA, never Yet appeared to suCh
advantage as on this occasion.
To generous aud ski!ful stage settings and
management the performance OF " SiegfrGed " Is
greatly indebted Tor its immense success Tho
change from the splendid rocky scene OF the
last act to BInHHUtiIts plateau j. done with
charming illuslveuess. II can only be wished
tina, the DidJpU were lees coy and cautious
and more dramatic ~ action lie sings well and
expreesyely. but he does succumb too easily TO
Sugfritds onslaught. being apparently over
come by that 9NAF 10 AilCA the hero Is "a
stranger.
only the musician or the most careful OBJ
server can appreciate what all IMPORTANT part
the orchestra pays in this wonderful music
drama. l. p.Ctgre- every event and every emo
tiuu with the most intense feeling and the most
detailed accuracy. The remarkable manner IA
which -eidl Hna his.hInd performed their grand
tHsS yesterday is scarcely possible To he prop
etly described adequately praised. 1t
WAS perfect symphonic triumph. the
weight Of intelligence and seIf.sacrinCr Ia the
doing 81 which wouli almost furnish material
for hundred fgll.trdsed heroes uf any sort
that could be mentioned TINS portion Of the
entertainment alone i- a colossal art work.