New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-31
MUSIC.
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE"

Last night at the opera house acclaimed b
the lovers Of the highest in the lyric drama a.
festival OCCASION the first performance this son
was given Of Tristan ind Isolde" with the great
artists in the two chief parts who have in recent
years re-established wagner's great love tragedy
In the highest place In the reperory Of the
politan opera. There n great audience pres.
ent that listened with rapt and eager attention ana
let no opportunity pass OF manlfesting It's delight
at the opportunity to hear the music drama again
That is was not in all respects n performance on
the highest level that has been reached by previous
the stage not the fault OF NJ
Jean de Reszke and Nine. NoTdca. who seemed
at the very acme of their powers. These two
great artists never seemed more perfectly paired
IN all the higher qualities. vocal and hisronc. that
have made their previous appearances together In
these parts among the most notable In the musical
history Of this metropolis. Both in superb
voice. and both sang with freshness. vigor and
vitality that they have seldom surpassed. ". ID
Reszko particularly gave forth hts voice with spend
thrift prodgality. and II has never sounded freshsr
nor exhibited in fuller measure the warm and pas
sionate quality Its marvellous range Of color In
denotlng the pathos. tenderness and volcanic pas
sion with which NJ de Reszke depicts the hapess
hero. II Is needless now TO discuss the nobility
and overmastering power OF this achievement II
tugs at the heartstrings few others on the lyric
stage have done; and all the admirers OF the
great singer last night rcjoiced in the plentude ~
his that has In no respect suffered loss or the
passing shadow of eclipse
Ever since she first appeared the operatio
stage Nine. Nordca has amazed and overjoyed
her friends by the way in which she has made
each year show It's progress In her art over tho
previous one: and at this period OF her ripe
career. crowned it Is with distinction. she con-
tinues to reveal how fine and true artist she
IL by the fact that she Is not content with tho
laurels that are already hers from her triumph IN
the part of Isolde. She showed last night higher
sublimaton Of the finer and subter things that 90
make a great actress. Her reading OF the r6ls
IS broader and frcer, and At the same time moro
elaborate in detail and in manner. and conss-
quently impressive. more completely
vncing. than it ever has been before. Yocaly
she has so entirely mastered the demands
made on the singer with so clear display of re-
serve power behind the most crucial passages.
Mr. Elephants Kurwenal. particularly in the
third act, il performance that satisfies from iis
thorough comprehension and sympathy and rs
sincere elaboration OF detail He did not seem
last night In the best voice. Mr.. Edouard de-
Reszke's King Marke is also eminently satis-
flying performance OF thankless task Nine.
Meisslinger was not able to show her credentials
to move In the sphere with her associates In
last evenings performance. Her understanding Of
the duties of Isoldes companion IL correct. even
II not warmed with the divine spark: but she cam
not sing the music II should be sung-Arst Of
all In tune, then with beauty OF tone and with fire
and dramatic expressiveness.
Upon Herr Schak. however deyoves most OF
the burden OF failing to put the performance or a
plane to minge with NETWORKS most cherished
memories OF Tristan und Isolde" He once moro
showed himself the accomplished. experienced,
thoroughly trained routiniere quite familiar With
the score conversant In the main with Wagners
intentions but not swayed by the passionate power
of the music 10 extent OF inspiring it with tho
pulsing vitality that Is Its chief essence no
brought the climaxes. he made carefully studied
notifications OF the tempo. but he did not always
elucidate the prismatic and ever-changing play OF
themes in the score. He did not always iind tho
one key to the situation at each moment There
were moments of fine power In the orchestra IN
which II took its proper place az potent and
controlling factor but there were too many IN
which IL a mere accompaniment, He ala not
exercise the function OF highest eloquence that hs
had at his command TO exercise II he but were
genius. SO accomplished musician as Herr
Schak can accomplish many things bur ne o.
not Interpret Tristan md Isolde as New-York
has heard II interpreted