The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-29

| haSSc hoi 4NtSI IlTIe we
plan to get admission, tickets and stand.
ITO tell the truth, was too busy 10
worry much over intricate develop
ments OF Wagnerian motives. DON'T
let any one stay away for fear OF them
they are no Inconvenience at ALL" an
Mrs. c. P. Flick's impressions are In
terestingly put forth as follows: who
Is there that in logical words can ex-
press the effect music has on US? Per-
haps 1t has all the deeper meaning to
us that It is kind OF inartlculate, un-
lathomable speech which seems to lead
us to the infinite and let Us gaze for
| moments Into that. II Is difficult indeed
to partlcuiarize or convey TO the mind Of
the reader the beauty, grandeur and
even sublmity OF those matchless pro-
ductions as they were presented by the
Grau Opera Company, at Pittsburgh,
last week. No matter how much atten-
ton and study one has devoted to Wag-
ner. or how familiar his music has be-
come through concert programmes, or
IN fragments without proper stage set
ting, one can never In that way con-
ceive how poeticai, noble and truly
sublime, in their entirety, Wagner's
creations are. He did not write for or
chestra, chorus, or create parts 10 dis
play the ability OK any particular singer,
out employed each as a factor depend
ent upon every other to form perfect
and harmonious whole. His roles pre-
sent caormous difficulties, but. one Is
impressed with the saying that "orly
great minds can do great things and
they do them easily" for the singer who
can sing Wagner at all is too great an
artist to allow any effort to be appar-
ent; but to portray truly Lohengrln,
Elsa. Brun.lllde or Siegmuna requires
all the energies OF mind and soul. One
never more fully realizes this than in
LohenSrin which is as nearly perfect
a work as 1t Is possible for an opera to
be. The Interest of the listener Is never
for one moment allowed to flag, and the
enthusiasm Is almost boundless at Lo-
hengrin's first majestic appearance.
One could scarcely imagine any
thing more dlsnlfed. or beautiful in
scenic effect, or more magnificent from
a musical standpoint than Jean De
ResZke's impersonation. He holds the
admiration and Interest throughout,
but once again when he is compelled by
Elsa's entreaty to declare his Identity.
In his singing of Lohengrin's Origin, he
Is great beyond comparison. The pathos
OF the situation, his love and considera-
ton for Elsa, whose sweetness and In
rocence appeal so strongly to us, but
Withstand Ortrude's taunts and insinu-
atoms. make him character to almost
reverence. Nordica Is an ideal Elsa,
and Schumann- Heink indeed wonderful,
especially in dramatic power. Even
the colors employed in costumes seemed
to contribute much to the effect, espe-
cially the ndescrlbable shade between
rose and violet which formed q part of
Elsa's costume In the last scene. One
con hardly Imagine how pathetic such
q color can be.
of Course there was disappointment
In not hearing SemhrIch. Romeo and
Juliet, which was given in place of
Barber Of Seville. Is not so frequentlS.
heard as many others, and the cast was
eNcel!srt. 1t seemed 4 little peculiar
after ell to hear Romeo and Juliet sung
in French. The music Is good. the
scenic effect fine. and the singers were
better thar either, but can Shake
speare'S manner OF expressing his
thought be improved upon? Campanari
made an admirable Mercu,io. The sor-
row OF the audience when he died was
most sincere.
Faust In Italian seems on anomaly
too. But. after all. Eames as Marguer-
lite. Saleza as Faust. Plancon as Me-
phlstoles and Campanari as Valentine
employ such perfect skill In the univer-
sal language CT music us to lead us to
forget our prejudices or any seeming
inconsistencies The trio sung bT Cam
panari. Plancon ard Saleza was one OF
those gems, one can never forget. The
audience was fairly wild with enthu-
siastn. Eames' rendition OF the Jewel
Song doubly endeared It to those with
whom 1t Is always 4 favoritc. The last
scene was especially well done, both
unsteady and dramatically.
Some Of Mephistoles gestures were
as unique as effective. One cannot can
not soon forget the placing his foot up
on the PROSTATE body Of Valentine. the
wierd, uncanny, quirering motion Of the
hands, his side-gl!de across the stage.
or his demoniuc laughter. In fact the
entire opera was SO well done that one
thinks less OF the personality OF the ar
list thar of the character he so faith
fully portrayed.
The most startling effects OF the
week both in scenery and music and
the most beautiful and interesting mo-
tisSS ar W iHE
fugitive movement OF the overture re-
minds ore somewhat OF the Fri King.
The overture also introduces the prin-
cIpal motives OF the opera, which rs Il
whole Is 4 work OF such power. dignity
and genius that the listener Is awed in
TO attention. even though he cannot mu-
slcally appreciate 1t. The scenic effects
are magnificent throughout The open
ing scene In Hundlnc's hut which is
built around 4 gigantic oak becomes
very vivid when the wind blows open
the door and admits n hood OF spring
moonlight from the forest without. II
is then SieGmund sings his matchless
love song. one of the most beautiful
compositions In all Wngner's operas.
The Walsung motive is so beautiful
TINT as In the case OF Betthevon's mo-
lives We wonder whence the power and
charm OF those few notes. The scene on
the mountain is very thrilling and ro-
mantle, and the appearance of Brun-
hide and the Walkure with their weird.
fantastic cry which Is as absolutely fas-
clnating as It Is grotesQuc produces an
effect seldom epualea on my stage.
Their concerted work was a marvel OF
beauty and artistic grace. In the meet
Ing between Woton and Fricka Schu-
man fielnle again shows her wonder
ful dramatic power. The interest
reaches It's climax when Woton puts the
tisobedieRt Brunhiide to sleep on the
mountain side and calls up the magic
flames to protect her. There the music
Is such as to captivate every listener be
he musician or rot. The magic fire mu-
sic SO dainty. brilliant and artistic, the
slumber music so full Of beauty and
grace. while the Introduction Of the
Siegfrel motive smCEsSts her awnken-