The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-25
Wagnpf's Sacred Music Drama Presented to Large Audience
 al ths Metropolitan
SUCCESS OF PRODUCTION
 GREATER THAN EXPECTED
After Surmounting EnCsseous Difficult ties Herr Conried Wins the Most Signal Victory in American
 Operatic History.

New York, December 24-In spite of successive legal complications small storm of pulpit protests and some enor- nous practical difficulties, Richard Wag ners sacred music drama "Parsifal' was produced at the Metropolitan opera house this evening before an immense audience. The production takes rank not only as the most sensational event in American operatic history, but it has a worldwide reputation as the first public performance of the much discussed drama out of Bay reuth and as a serious blow aimed at the so-called "Bayreuth," a serious monopoly which "Parsifal' by it's restriction to the Bayreuth stage has largely created and maintained for the Wagner heirs.
 To give the work has meant the com- plete rebuilding of the Metropolitan stage. the purchase of most elaborate mechani- cal appliances and lighting apparatus and ransacking of the musical centers of Europe to secure a corps of experts for every department, competent to direct the details of the drama as 1t is given in Bayreuth.
 
 The results as summed up in tonight's performance indicates a triumph for the directors. In the opinion of every one who has made the "Parsifal Pilgrimage" to Bayreuth it was treated to the most sumptuous mounting the work has ever received Never has "Parsifal' been given so superb scenic dress, never a more !, tion.
 It is safe to say that no such huge audience has ever been compressed with in the four walls of the Metropolitan operahouse, nor can even an "old timer" recollect one of such brilliance and rep resentative character.
 Boston, Philadelphia. Washington, Bal timore, Chicago and other cities sent par ties of enthusiasts, and most every one we'll known in art, literature, or music throughout the country. could be met in the jostle of the lobbies and corridors. For weeks every seat from the floor to the roof had been sold, and could have been resold at profit.
 Begins at O'Clock.
 The performance was begun punctually at o'clock, the opening of the drama and theme of each of its acts being her aided after the Bayreuth custom by trum- peters on the main staircases. The first act ended at about o'clock, was followed by a recess for dinner, the performance was resumed at quarter befor6 J o'clock and concluded at about half past eleven. These arrangements coupled with the total darkenng of the house, present. ed society with the practical problems of f<,d deag f,o|e much as the curtain arose before the hour at which evening dress according to so- cial canons, Is permissible.
 Society settled them in a variety of ways While some used the long inter- mission to drive home. as rule dinner was taken at the principal restaurants nearby, tables at which had been reserved for weeks.
 All sorts of solutions of the dress prob lem were to be seen.
 The cast at all points was very strong, three of its principals having learned their respective roles under the tutelage of Frau Wagner. These were Herr Att ters Burgstaller as "Parsifal," Frau Mill ka Ternina as "Kundry' and Herr Blass as "Guernemanz." Anton Van Rooy was the "Amfortas," M Marcel Jouernet the s.'riturel" and Herr Otto Goeritz the "Klingsor" the last mentioned making his first appearance In America.
 BurqstalIers "Parsfa" Admirable.
 As was to be expected from Herr Burg staller's "siegfried," he made an admir- able "Parsifal."
 Herr Blass, as "Guernemanz" the old knight who takes "Parsifal" to the Grail temple. thinking him the prophesized "Guileless fool' was not altogether satis- factory. His embodiment was earnest and not without power, but it lacked the ex- altation and the benignity which Scaria and Wegand gave to their respective parts.
 Much praise must go to Herr Goeritz for his "Klingsor," but it was a mild hammered part The part needs the wickedness of a Mephistophles and for this Herr Goertz could not find express sion. It was otherwise with Van Rooys "Amfortas," which is assuredly the best thing he has ever done. He pictured ad- mirably the wounded king of the Grail, sick to death, tortured alike by the an- guish of the spear thrust in his side. and the torments of remorse, and in the great scene where. forced to perform his office, he uncovrs the sacrd cup. his acting and
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