New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-29
BRILLIANT MUSICAL CAREER
A BNIT4I4Ih.Nt VI O37I'7+f''
711r FRIEND AND LIEUTENANT OF WAGNER
his SUCCESS AS CONDUCTOR OF con-
-.- A. onr-nA y THIS COUNTRY


his SUCCESS AS CONDUCTOR OF con-
CERT AND OPERA IN THIS COUNTRY
Anton seid was born in Pesth. the Hungarian
capi,al May = 1850. His musical studies took him
- ,he Lelpzig Conservatory-an institution Of
crusted conservatism which has graduated not few
hold and independent workers in the most modern
spir1t OF music He entered Il in the autumn OF
1870 and began his professional career outside It's
walls first as NChor-repetitor. or chorus master in
the Vienna Opera This brought him into intimate
relations with Hans Richter ardent friend OF Wag
nor Young seldrs qualities were not lost upon
him Richter had himself been musica! secretary
FOR Wagner-had copied for him the score OF Die
Meistersingei" in 1866 and In other ways assisted
In the work OF putting in shape the great mass OF
material going 10 make ~ the full score OF the
Wagneran musc-drarna
In 1872 Wagner wrote 10 Richter 70 recommend TO
him n successor in this arduous and exacting post
and It was Anton seidl who chosen. In that
year ne went 70 Bayreuth and entered into that
close companionshlp with the master that has
made him one OF the greatest and most authorita-
tive exponents Of the true spirit and beauty Of the
work. OF Wagner. His duties occupied him for
several wears with the scores o, the Nibeungen
dramas. during which he was the constant pupil.
assistan. and friend Of the master. and intimate
in that remarkable circle Of keen intellects and
" Viant artists that gathered at Bayreuth.
In 1876 he took active part In the preparations
for the great festival performances or Der NlDe-
lungen Ring" at the opening Of the Wagner Thea
ire at Bavreuth always as the trusted lieutenant
and under the immediate supervision OF Wagner.
In 1877 occurred that series OF great wagner con-
certs In London with Wagner himself
ductor by which he and his friends hoped TO In
terest the English people sufficiently 20 gain large
assistance in wipng the debt upon the festival
theatre Incurred at the opening performances. II
was a vain attempt. and financially failure. but
in many ways a noteworthy artistic success. The
confidence reposed In Seidl by Wagner Is shown by
the fact that he was sent ahead 10 prepare the
orchestral forces IN preliminary rehearsas for the
finishing touches 10 be given oy wagner hinlset
at the final rehearsas.
In 1879 seidl obtained his first permanent post as
conductor through Wagners own recommendation
that OF the Leipzig Stadt Theatre, one OF the
more important of the opera houses or Germany,
and one that has long enjoyed high reputation.
Here he was associated with Victor Nessler, and
with Arthur Niksch at that time assistant con.
ductor and later destined to occupy. as was Seid,
a post OF dignity and honor in the New World.
seidl stayed In Leipzig three years. In 1879 the
brilliant and daring manager. Angelo Neumann.
conceived the idea OF carrying the Nibelungen
dramas on a starring tour through Europe. He
gathered company Of some OF the most promi-
nent Wagner singero; he bought the original Bay
reuth scenery and properties, and engaged Anton
Seid as the musical conductor.
The task was q most arduous ono; Il took them
through Germany. Holland England Italy and
other parts OF Europe. but II had In some ways an
extraordinary success Ii certainly made a won
derful propaganda sor the works OF Wagner and
the exertions OF Mr.. Sedl able to bring forth
results which within the limitations imposed upon
a travelling company. were brilliantly artlstic.
In 1853 Seidl returner to the more congenlal task