New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-13

ieulH) rrduIeln Iernina, Frau Schumann-
Heink and Frau Gadsky from America These
names warrant the forecast that the perform
ances VIII be ~ the highest order % excellence
Members Of the Royal Family and leaders Of
the world Of wealth and fashion are greatly in
terested in this Wagner Festival. but the sup
port will mainly come from lovers OF music. and
the usual restrictions respecting dress will not
be enforced Flexibility in this matter will he
necessary. because all but one Of the perform
ances will begin at hour when evening dress
is inconvenient "Das Rheingold" will open at
$50 o'clock, and will proceed without interval
Die Walkdre' and "Siegfried" will begin at >
o'clock and close at II. with an interval OF
ninety minutes dining hour after the first
long act. Die GOtterdammerung' will open at
i o'clock and close at 1870. with similar din
ing holr, the curtain rising hour earlier
because the day is Saturday and because the
restaurants and hotels are compelled 10 close
their dining-roOms before midnight on that day
Audiences are expected to have a ferocious
appetite for late suppers after these prolonged
musical debauChes and great business is
anticipated by the caterers during the Festival
There We're similar premonitions Of fine har-
vest last year during Jubilee Week; but there
hardly restaurant in Central London
which was not oversuppled with luxuries and
that imperial revel. Experience has taught the
caterers TO be wary. and they not excited by
the promise Of large patronage from visitors so
economical in their habits as German lovers OF
music.
The Wagner Festival Is regarded with favor
by London shopkeepers because it is a magnet
which may draw an exceptionally large swarm
Of tourists from America 1t is from that quar-
hot nd sh0Dg
best customers during the long English summer,
and the Festival is well timed for the annual
American exodus Last years speculation in
Jubilee seats and windows was largely based
on the assumption that the influx Of American
visitors would be unprecedented 1t failed be-
cause the prices high as 70 divert the
stream OF American tourist travel 20 the Con-
tinent
The steamship agents are forecasting larger
transatlantic trade this year than there was
last season. and they base their calculations
upon palpable evidences OF the return OF good
times in America. The Wagner Festival prom
ises 10 he one Of the chief attractions Of the ap
preaching London season. and will undoubtedly
draw 10 England host Of American travellers.
anxious 20 witness the Bayreuth cycles under
the most favorable conditions
Miss Elizabeth Robins IS returning 10 America
by to-day's steamer after eight years residence
in England. during which she has been identi
fed with the Ibsenite drama. Southerner by
birth she first came 70 England on a holiday
journey without any intention Of remaining
here for any serious work; but she found herself
al once in a circle Of which Ibsen was the OBJ
ject Of a semi-devout cultus. Her production Of
The Master Builder" Ave years ago in two
series Of performances marked the highest level
OF Ibsenite drama in London. She appeared in
other plays. but she evlnced a special aptitude
and sympathy for the work Of the Scandinavian
dramatist Indeed. II IL an open question
whether Mr. William Archer has done much
for him by transating his dramas with remark
able facility as Miss Robins has done by pro-
ducing them with refinement Of feeling. Ibsen's
work while intensely dramatic in form. is coarse
in grain. and needs the softenng touch Of sensi-
billy which she has impaired to IL.
Miss Robins is returning 10 America with the
expectation OF producing several OF Ibsen's
plays. for which she holds copyrights. She has
been encouraged 70 believe that in America as
in England. there Is a public which will vel
come thoroughly sympathetic attempt 70
translate these works into stage drama: and
certainly she has earned the right TO interpret
them by prolonged study OF them. and by init
mate acquaintance with the author in Chris
tiania Little Eyolf." In which she recently
appeared In London. may be produced but her
preference will naturally be for The Master
Builder" in which she has met with the largest
degree OF public favor in England. II she re-
ceives sufficient announcement she Will produce
a series Of Ibsen's plays with a company care
fully recruited for the purpose She is an excel
lent actress herself and has the talent for or
ganizaton required for enterprise OF this
kind Her enthusiasm FOR Ibsenite drama com
mands the respect even Of those who. like my
self. have a strong prejudice against the Nor
weg!an masters art method and prevailing
tone OF pessimism l. y. F.
RAPID TRANSIT AND REAL ESTATE