The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-17

yet, and yet-the last word has not yet
been uttered. Verdi is naive. His melo-
dies express-what do they express? Moth
ing, Absolutely nothing. They convey
neither the character, nor the sentiment
of the persons. It's candy music But
Wagner fell into the opposite extreme.
His music is expressive. It's art. But
it's heavy, dull, indigestible- So I say,
let us combine the two, let us produce
operas Of expressive melody, of melody
which should speak for itself. unaided-
nay. untrammeled, by words. What would
you think Of a painter who should mark
his every figure: This is a man and he Is
sad this is a dog and II is running after
a fox II music can't tell its own tale,
let US write poems. Terdi's music is like
a fower-odorous. sweet. beautiful de-
lightful, but without meaning. on the
other hand. Wagner, In his revolt against
the old school, committed another blum
der. Why can't we have sweet tunes full
OF meaning? l am going TO show human
ity that il can be done. am working on
an opera without a libretto, and IL IL sue
ceeds have ideas for more. all Of which
are bound TO produce a real revolution in
the world of music. Is II not a significant
coincidence that my name should be Nag
ner?"
Annchen said Yes" She did not know
what he was talking about, yet she laid
down his coat for minute. and running
down 10 her mother. she said:
That gentleman talks so nicely, moth
err It's all about operas and flowers and
wise things. He 10 a music teacher. and
he's awfuily smart" And without giving
the old woman time 10 put In a word she
hurried back to the paror. A few min
utes after she said:
The song you were going 20 sing 20
your sweetheart must bs awfuily pretty"
Herr Wagner sat down to the old piano
and hammered out his declaration.
"Wunder sehoen, Wunder schoen" she
exclaimed lifting her eyes 20 the cell
ing.
well. owe IL all to myself" he said
MY father was poor school teacher.
7 had to starve for It, I couldn't afford
TO engage u teacher, 10 70 to conserya-
tory. / was my own conservatory. l
have shown some Of my music to pub
fishers. They send II back. Some mu-
sicians envy my genius. because they are
afraid OF me. Others say it's pretty good.
but they are a lot of liars. They only
want to get rid Of me. Only one man
was honest. Look here, young man.
he said; there Is some good stuff In you.
but you need training and systematic
study. ! see snatches of melody In your
compositions that are gems of art, but
they are twisted. They might make an
excellent waltz waltz. He's honest,
but he. too, is afraid III eclipse him J.
don't care. ! am bound TO succeed. This
poor body is used 10 priyation."
His voice broke and as Annchen looked
up she thought she saw tears in his
eyes
Don't cry" she comforted him.
The next afternoon he called on them
again. He played to Annehen. spoke of
his operas TO her. wept TO her. When
the shades OF evening were beginning to
creep into the room. and a streak of
gold cleaned thdough the window. she
heaved a deep sigh and before they knew
why they threw themselves into each
others arms. and their lips chung to-
gether
when they resumed their seats both
looked at the floor. Annchen was the
first 20 break silence.
But You love that young lady" she
said. pou,ing
But you love Ieo's master" retorted
Herr Wagner
''Oh, that was only Imagination.
don't care for him . bit"
well. my love for that lady was pure
imagination. feel it'll love you, and
nobody else. lie, me play my declaration
TO you. II is yours by right. Let me
be your slave"
a year has passed. Herr Wagner is
sffii preparing TO overwhelm the musi-
cal world with his operas. but If you met
him in Tompkins square on his way 10
his pupils OF an afternoon, You would
see that his face has gained in flesh
and color and that his clothes are new
ana neat. Annchen, now Frau Wagner.
takes good care OF her husband, and her
mother. who lives with them, takes care
or both, She knows many people in the
neigh5orhood OF Tompkins square, and
while his own head is taken up with his
future glory, she sees To II that he mas
lessons enough TO keep them all In COM
fort. The two women are as confident
or his ultimate success as he is. and
thanks to them, his fame is spreading
far and wide, so that. instead OF Is cents
lesson, no now charges 10 cents.
by the way. the big old dog you see
GA The stoop Is Leo He has grown
fat and somewhat lazy. but he IN as true
20 Herr Wagner as he used TO be to
Herr Zimmel