New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-29
MUSIC.
"LOHENGRIN" AT THE OPERA

After three Italian performances, German opera
had its turn at the Metropolitan Opera House last
night The opera Wagner's 'Lohengrin. and
it served to introduce two of the artists who
are to be with New Workers for veal or woe this
season, and 10 afford the Metropolitan audi
ence opportunity again to admire the g1fts
Of Mines. Gadski and Schumann-Heink' and
Messrs Bispham Edouard de Reszke and Muhl-
mann in familiar roles, too easily ldentliled
to require mention and not TO be confused even
by such a misleading housebill that distributed
last night The newcomers were Herr Ahthes'
the impersonator of Wagner's hero. and Herr
Hertz. the conductor. German conditions prevailed
during the performance, and the friends OF the
regime which prevailed before the present pleas
ant and profitable polygot system came IN were
unquestionably delighted to note that the auoence
at least brilliant that of the hrst night
more numerous and dozen times as en-
thusiastic. Of the newcomers the conductor
made the most favorable impression upon the
critically disposed. He much in the puohc
eye-too much. indeed-but, considering the lac'
that all his exertions followed by results 10
the attainment of which they were obviously dl-
rected. and that these results made for good IN
the performance it was easy for all to look upon
them Ieniently and to ascribe some Of the eNag-
gerated gyrationS to the nervousness ana excite
rnent natural to a first appearance In a strange
land. German musicians OF the better class read
than your Frenchman or Italian, and Herr
Hertz, it is safe to say, began his Office in New
York with very different sense Of its significance
and responsibilities than did Signor MascagnL He
spared effort TO put vitality into Wagners score
and succeeded not only in doing this, but also IN
Kidding the performance OF much of the slack OF
perfunctoriness that has weighed upon the Metro
politan performances for years. His tempt were
elastic. his nuances varied and inteligenty, taste
fully and tactfuy made. He had sluggish ma
teria to handle. for bad habits have seized upon
the Wagnerian performances at our opera more
viciously than upon any other and the excellences
of last nights performance therefore to be
reckoned highly in his favor.
The tenor, Herr Antilles, is not so easy a
proposition to handle. He is distinCtively German
proposition. Genteness. comeIness and grace OF
appearance and that serene loftness which we
may imagine as belonging 10 the training Of Sc
raphic soldier. do not to him essential ele-
ments of the Knight OF the Grail Neither is he
seriously impressed with the conviction that the
musical phrase has any rights that singer need
respect. II produce his tones he finds II neces-
sary TO utter them singIy in small groups, nell
Their the musical phrase the poetic line IS per
mtted 10 stand in his way. What are the funda-
mental laws of music to him? He has a voice
which has a manly ring in it, as the voice or a
singer with German ideals ought to have; he mas
ample knowledge Of the traditions Of the stage ne
has (and here praise may be generous) a sense of
business Of intonation superior to anything heard
from his associates the Metropolitan Opera
House this season.