New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-03
MUSIC.
gsrEGFRIED" REPEATED.

second experiment made with Wagner's
"Siegfred" at the Metropolitan Opera House yester-
Jay afternoon. The word will sound somewhat
strange to those who have been privileged to OBJ
serve the brancy which characterized the two
representations, but II is invited by the circum-
stance that Wednesday. so yesterday. the
singer who essayed the character Of Brinnhilde not
only did so for the first time IN her iife but In doing
so venured into artistic regions which hitherto had
terra incognta to her II Is only the gentleness
Of Judgment commanded by respect for honest
effort and laudable ambition which prompts the
use OF puperfect in this statement. Criticism
which should consider only justice to the art-work
might say that the region is still terra incognita but
the delights Of the new "Siegfried" must temper
justice with kindness. Nine. Melba was the first
aspiran, for the and strange honors; Nine
Iitvinne the second. Concerning Nine. Meba's
performance there is discussion elsewhere: Nine.
Iitvinnes essay was made under more discourage
ing circumstances. yet she had an advantage over
her predecessor in respect of voice quality Want
OF the dramatic temperament prevented her from
presenting a satisfactory embodiment Of Wagner's
heroine from one point Of view and scantness OF
breath and wait OF vocal volume in another. but.
as in the case of her predecessor the sincerity Of
her effort admirable The shortcoming In the
representation now seems to be rreparable and is
the more depicrable since it prevents the full de-
velopmen, # NJ Jean de Rcszke's impersona'ion
Of the hero, the poetry and charm Of which chal-
lenge the warmest enthusiasm "A WonuerlaI man
he WHO keep his heart so young as this great
artist, who can set himself an ideal as far above
his old convention as the skies above the earth. and
a; the first trial realize II In degree that fills the
most experienced Observers with amazement. What
an nspira ton he Is becoming. How far away
from the old nut into which II feared our opera
had again fallen he is leading his colleagues and
the public
The imposing dignity of N. Edouard de Reszke's
personality. voice and manners has never had
better cXemplihcaton than In the character OF
Der Wanderer He is the RECONCILIATION OF puts
sance and repose. and Wagner's music glorifies
performances. indeed mark the highest achieve
nent vet reached here in Wagnerian Interpretations
across the water to play the role of Mime is not
only character actor Of excellent parts. but a
eood singer as well fact which will doubtless be
opportunity 10 display his gifts In music nearer
the general comprehension. M. Bispham as Al
his impersonation of Hlberich will be better when
he recognizes the necessity OF moderatng MS per-
improvements have been introduced into the
mechanism of the drama. one OF which inures very
much 10 the advantage OF NJ SasteimarS whose
BY the speaking tube through which he sings has
greater sorority than the voices Of his predecessors
Olitzka is the Erda of the cast. Her voice Is
naturally Of fine quality and opulent: pity that she
emi,s it so vciously Mrs. Schilling. who was Wit
music of the Forest Bird in place OF Miss Traub-
mann. without benefiting the performance The
house crowded and there were many scenes
OF excited rejoicings in which Mr. Seidl shared.
The arrangements for this week contemplate
performance Of Faust" on Monday evening. with
''Werther." with NJ. Jean de Reszke. and Nine.
Eames in the cast. on Wednesday: "Lohengrin' on
and 'Cavalleria Rusticana" on Saturday afternoon.
and Don Giovanni on Saturday evening.