New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-02
MUSIC.
DER RING DIES N1BELUNGEN. -


The first serial performance of the dramas con-
stituting Wagner's tragedy Der Ring des Nibe-
lungen was brought 10 conclusion at the Metro
polita1 Opera House last night with the first pro-
duction this season OF "G6tterdammerung. The
representation attended by what might be
described fair audience, but one that was
probably less numerous by a thousand than the
audience which witnessed the serial performances
last season. Had "Rheingold and "Siegfried' at
tracted full houses 1t would have been possible 10
attribute the comparative slenderness OF last
nights attendance TO the weather. but the audi
ence was IN keeping IN numbers as well as be-
havior with those that heard the prologue and the
preceding dramas OF the trilogy. Consequently the
conclusion is inevitable that the charm which the
cycle" exerted last year has been missing from
this seasons representations.
The causeSp They are several and the leading
one is to be found. paradoxically some will say.
perhaps, in appreciation of Wegner's art rather
than loss OF interest. The fact is that the Nbe-
lung dramas, given at the Metropolitan Opera
House, the souls Of Wagner lovers less when
given separatey-that u.s. ASSOCIATED In pretence
well as in fact-than when given serially 1t is not
only that they are less taxing to the endurance Of
the listeners. they also less aggravatng. To
endure the wretched stage management of Mr..
Graus representatives is always trial TO all who
are familiar with the work. and to this is added a
wofu WEAKNESS to the flesh when the work is
given without cuts. 1t would to be the course
OF wisdom. net only here but all the world over. to
reverse the customary plan and give the alb
breviated version when the works per-
formed in succession and In full when the
dramas represented serially. Most Of the
elided portions explanatory OF incidents
that have been observed by the spectators of
the play. And these better be spared when
the scenes of the tragedy unroled after the
other than when each drama stands its own
footing True. some scenes have been eliminated
in the ordinary performances which ought to be
retained under all circumstances II they prop
erly be given. Such is the meeting between Wal
traute and Brtnnhilde, in which the high water
mark OF last nights representation reached,
thanks to Mines Schuma n Heink and Nordica
more especially the former. whose description of
Wotan. his despair and resignation In contempla-
ton OF the end CT his dynasty companion
piece more than worthy of her Fricka
with Wotan in Die Walkure." Here again we
touch upon one OF the unfortunate features OF the
Metropotan's serial performances namely the
want OF integrity In the physiognomy Of the
scenes and the personages OF the play II Nine
schumann- Henk were a dramatic reader. a sort OF
lyrico-dramatic elocutionist. and to present
scenes from the tetralogy without help other than
that Of pianoforte player. convinced that
she could convey much clearer idea OF the trag
edy to the ordinary listener than Is sometimes OBJ
tanned from the stage representation: but 1t is de
structive OF dramtic illusion to her form and
hear her voice in five of the personages Of the
play In "Das Rheingold' she led double life
she was not only water nike. but also the
| prmeval goddess Of wisdom. the tmeless and
spaceleSs mother or gods ana men-Mother Eartr
herself In Die Walkure" she was only one OF the
nine war maidens; In 'sieytried' she nothing
| the Erda who went back TO her sleep Schumann
Heink and. being invoked by Wotan's powerful
runes awoke Otzka. Last night she was q
Norm and also Waltraute. Fortunate indeed. are
the people who have marvellous and versatile
an artist to edify and entertain them. but Is the
! system exemplifed in her activity consistent with
| the claims made for the serial performances OF
! Wagners tetralogy?
Fortunately there have also been features worthy
Of the proudest operate institution In the worlC
/ spoken Nine. Schumann- Heink in her protear
acts: with her Mime. Nordica's Brunnhilde must b
remembered for its vocal beauty Its sincerity, it,
! convincing poetical charm and puissance. Frau
/ lein Terminus guerdon won Sieglinde could no
/ be withheld day, nor the tribute TO NJ Var
! Dyck's Loge Mr.. Dippel. having previously done
! everything asked OF him substitute in Italian
/ and French operas OF all kinds and calibres
warmed all hearts the forest lad, and pu
on heroic stature last night as the mature Sieg
fried ripe for destruction. NJ. de Reszke had only
/ Hagen to care for, but he did that with opulenct
! OF voice and properly sinister. The orchestra
under Nj Paur had been satisfying and would in
| deed have been entitled TO much and warm lauda
ton had Il not frequently been too noisy. As fol
! Herr Van Rooy's Wotan and Wanderer, the i'm
presentations stand doubtless for the best that car
! be heard to-day with the original traditions mod
! ined by the latter day discoveries at Bayreuth
! These notifications. however in nowss affect the
! puissance OF the artist as singing actor If any
! thing were be gained by discussing some Of
them again u might be done; but with everybody
/ behind the scenes doing what he listeth 1t woult
! be waste of time and space final tribute tC
! the audience; on no occasion has It been large
but has always been composed Of the flower OF the
| local Wagnerian contingent.
! frnT NV IyTD DDEr ID N-/rE'