New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-03
MUSIC.
wAGNER's FLYING DUTcHMAN.

Individual performances rather than the gensr,i
effect Of the representation are the only thnrs
which invited favorable comment at the Mstro.
poitan Opera House last night when Wasners
Flying Dutchmap" was given. OF the outward
furnishings CT this opera the people Of New-Yort
who have taken kindly TO II land. indeed
Rave had little occasion 20 do 500 ought long aeo
to have weared 10 the verge OF disgust. Years ara
the American Opera Company made a brave enor,
10 do justice TO It's FIRST scene but ever since We
have had TO put up with vanoUs parody which
has grown more and more tawdry and absurd year
after year. Untll we have opera perman.n,
institution. so that costly properties can 3.
looked upon Investment likely In time "a
bring "A fair return, IT would be not only unw,.s
but chursh ask too much OF the mechanism
requisite to produce the effect Of realism which
Wagner demands; but n simple solution Of the
problem lies In a determine ton on the part OF the
stage manager not 20 attempt 70 do more than can
be done we'll But this is a lesson which operate
stage managers Will never learn. II would BE- q
simple matter to forego the amazing manpuvrss
OF Daland's vessel. to accomplish which crew
seems 10 be required twice az large as can hrd
standing room on deck wherefore half ~ .hs
sailors had to walk homo last night. and give Up
the stage to the Dutchman's ship. which must
come sailing into the picture. Then. perhaps.
something like a verisimilitude or seamaaship
might be shown and enc Of the most dramatic
mi of the drama WoDli not DC rpDAcI by
being made ridiculous. But all discussion OF this
sort is vanity and yexatiOn OF spirit
The individual performances which call FOR CON-
rnent in last nights representation were those Of
Mr. B,spham as tire Dutchman, Mr.. Breuer As
Erik and Mr. Van Hoose as the Helmsman. o.
Nine GadsM It IL scarcely necessary 20 speak, fo'
she has been heard here and received with favor.
though a stckler for Wasaer!an conceptions might
wish that she would remember the poet-composers
mi lrCqE.irege OF The
maiden TO run out into sicky sentimentality. But
there were moments In her duets With Elk and
the Dutchman when she sang so well that this
nigh, easily condone Mr. Breuer. VINO comes to
liz with Bayreuth notions most or them good,
ctnetng 70 his every utterance. tried 20 1T the
mart OF Erik above the level Of that OF whining
m.lsop but. like many another pupil OF the same
school he seems to have earned everything
cent how TO emit n must al tone Disaster overlook
him in his solo. which not az all surprising
Less defamation and better singing made Mr. Vsa
Hoose's pretty song IN he first ac; extremely
nleas!ng Mr. Bispham has an admira bic voice for
the role OF the Dutchman and ample dramatic
talent and feeling The greatest apprehension Felt BY
hs more intelligen; admirers was that his tendency
N overdo everything would not leave him when
IL came to the enactment OF 50 romantic CHARACTER
as that of Vanderdecken. No part il more easily
overaccentuated in song and action and no part In
all of Wagners dramas suffers so much from such
treatment Wagner knew this and uttered most
earnest warning to It's inperscnators Not only
,ho- hat he gave detailed instructions how tie prin
clpal numbers were to be sung and acted Exas'
rcration was to be avoided throughout certain
terrible repose was character his outward de-
meanor amid the most passionate expression o, IN
ward anguish and despair. Mr.. B!spham aas taken
much of the admoniton to heart lie WAS conVen-
tiorally theatrical at times but ye' ne pfouuoeo
oharac,sr which invited sympathy and pity; and to
,bie extent he realized the composers wishes His
exclamation. VIXEN not overcharged win patnoa
vas admirable also and his voice sounded superb