New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-19

wears ago Der Ring des Nibeungcn was pro
duccd for tho first time in London under 'he
direction OF Scdl. and. except by smaIl III"
steal cult was received with Phllistine COUNTESS
and hostility I, is now welcomed with acc!a-
nations by a host OF converts to WaGherS'h'
Tie opening performance OF "Das RheIngod
last night held an audience OF two thousand
spoll5ound for two hours and hall ana every
seat has been heSpOken for the REMAINDER "a
the tetraloCy during the week. so great mas
been the public interest in the production 81 '"e
work under Eayrcuth conditions that IL hds pcch
necessary to provide three Cycles in place OF one
for a single month \ marVeilou' chanS' III
English musical taste has been wrought DURING
sixteen years Not only has the pilgrimage u
Bayreuth been made by devont worshipieiS
wear after year. but the erandrst passages Oh
the famous totralogy have been constantly hea''
at orchestral concerts. and two OF tn" most ara
matte portions Die Walkurc" and SleSiii'd'
haze become the most popular programmes ol
every regular opera season. In the course Oh
half a generation the music OF IN" future mas
been studied and appreciated "a the best music
Of the present Wagner has conquered music
loving England
The perforrnanc" Of the prologue involved no
sacrifices OF time and convenience sine" II ne
gan 1t $50 ana closed at IL o'clock II was.
however. a musical rather than social iunc-
ton. and was distinct from tho ordinary opera
nights Royalty Was rcpres' ntcd by the frince
and Princess Of Wales Princess Christian ana
tho Duchess % Albany. and Their" w"r" many
great social ucrsrnagoS IN the boxes, nut II "dS
an audience Of musc-lovcrs lrrayed in ordinary
dress and Indifferent to displays OF diamonds
and pearls and 20 the exchange OF compliments
4 few late-coners were allowed 10 strdsGl" INTO
boxes after $50 but there was neither Interrupt
ton nor pause after Herr Mottl appeared in the
orchestra There were no smpcring tops i"unG-
ing in front Of the lower tier % boxes and catch
ing the smiles OF West End bellies. there w"r" no
. exchanges OF visits from box To box ipr the
usual fashionabi" Gossipping. and th"f" was
neither tramDiug nor parade IN m" l""n"s ana
corridors. Tn" evening "as passed ~ tn" Dark.
with gods. gplGr,ses. giants. Meetings ana
Rhine-daughtrrs without iutcrmission or break
Conversation "As suspended. and ih''" VAS not
a single sign Of approval or AppltG." until the
curtain fell a II and the VAST A.i. "i-" rose
and Coycnt Garden rang WIKI ieal'u.ns 'h""rs
for fully hye m nu'"s
Free from distractions. save from unnecessary
clatter Of sccnc- shifters and Ne. haulrs behind
the f,otlights. tho audience WAS auoNcd % IN
joy in silence tho strength simplicity ana i'm
rr.ssivcncss IF fhe prologue ana 10 appreciate
II .s real lyrical drama with supernatural bee
i,.. Invested ,,.Ifh tho pass.ors weaknesses and
.,.,,a.,,,,,e "a, human nature There vas ars,
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.rs =, ,h.tr ...,,,,.,ls in IN. h.I ,f I'M. n, .r
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