Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-25
IT'S A WINNER.
The Opera "ParsifaIl" Pro-
duced in New York City
And Scores An Immediate and Almost
Unprecedented Success.
A Signal First Night Triumph for
Director conried.

New York, Dec. 24-In spite of sue
cessive legal complications, small
storm of pulpit protest and some enor-
NOUS practical difficulties, Richard
Wagners sacred music drama, or ded-
icatorial festival play "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 operate history, but it
has a world wide Importance as the
first production OF the much discussed
drama out of Baireuth and as a serious
blow aimed at the so-called Baireuth
monopoly, which :Parsifal, by it's
restriction to that stage has largely Gre
ateG and maintained for the Wagner
heirs. The giving of the work has
meant the complete rebuilding of the
Metropolitan stage, the purchase of
| the most elaborate mechanical appli-
| ances and lighting apparatus and a
| ransa cking of the musical centers of
Europe to secure corps of experts for
every department, competent to direct
| the details of the drama as it is given
in Baireuth.
The results as summed up in tonight's
performance amount to signal tri-
| umph for Director Conried. In the
| opinion Of everyone who has made the
| "Farsifal Pilgrimage to Baireuth,
| New York was treated to the most
sumptuous mounting the work has ever
received. Never has "Parsifal' been
| given so superb a scenic dress, never
more thoroughly adequate musical in
| depreciation.
| 1T is safe to say that no such huge
| audience has ever been compressed
within the four walls of the Metropol-
itan Opera house, and almost every one
we'll known in art, literature or music
| throughout the country could be met
| in the jostle of the Hobbies and corri
| doris. For weeks every seat from the
| footlights to the roof had ben sold and
| it is said could have been resold a score
| of times.
| The performance began punctually at 6
| O'Clock, the opening of the drama and
that each of its acts, being heraded, af-
ter Baireuth custom, by trumpeters upon
the main staircases. The first act ending
at Z, was followed by a recess for dinner,
| the performance was resumed at a quarter
|
past eleven.
| These arrangements, coupled with the
! darkening of the house, presented society
/ with the practical problems of where to
| eat" and ''how to dress" in as much as
| the curtain arose before the hour at which
evening dress according to social canons.
is permissible. While some used the long
! iutermisson to drive home, as a rule din
ner was taken at the principal restau>
rants nearby, tables at which had been
reserved for weeks. g"
The cast at all important points was a
strong one, three al least of its principals
! having learned their respective roles I'M
Der lie trte.age Of Faru Wanger. These
were Herr Alois Eurgsteller as "Parsifal,
| Frau Nllka Tcrnins at ''kundry." and
Herr Blass as "Gurnemanz." Anton Van
| Rocy was the "Amfortas,' NJ. Marcel
Journel the "Titurel,' and Herr Otto
Gortz the ''Klingsor," the last mention
ed making his first American appearance.
AS was to be expected from Herr Burgs-
teler's "Sigfried" he made an admirable
"Parsfal.''
Herr Blass, as "Gurnemanz the old
knight who takes "Parsifal' to the grail
| tlllliEiHS hin the DTODHtSleu
"guleless fool" was not altogether salts
factory. His embodiment was earnest and
not without power but it lacked the cXal-
| tation and benignity which Scarcia and
| Wiegand gave to the part at Bairouth.
| Measured praise, too. must go to Herr
Goritz for his "klingsor' was but mild
hammered magician. The part needs the
venomed wickedness Of a Mephistophiles
and for this Herr Goritz- could not find
| expression. 1t was otherwise with Van
| Roofs "Amenortas," which is assuredly
| the best thing he has ever done. He pic
| tured admirably the wounded king of the
Grail sick to death. tortured alike by the
| anguish of the sprear thrust in his side
| and the torments of remorse; and in the
great scene where. forced to perform his
| Office he uncovers the sacred cup, his act
| ing and singing both rose to splendid
| level.
The attitude of the audience all
| things considered was reverential and
attentive. 1t is safe to say that most
people were impressed. Applause after
the first act was successfully Kissed
down, but after the second nothing
could have controlled it and the prin-
cipals were brought repeatedly before
the curtain amid boundless enthusiasm.
At a special meeting of the directors OF
the Conreid Metropolitan Opera Co. af-
ter the performance the following resoiu-
ton was adopted: 1
Resolved. That the board of directors
take this occasion to put on record their
appreciation of Mr.. Heinrich Conreids I'M
firing efforts during the past year of prep
aration and their admiration for his splen
did executive and artistic ability in the
presentation of grand opera in New
York. They also wish to express their
entire sympathy and hearty support in his
production of 'Parsifal," which puts be-
fore the music-lovers of this country sol
worthy presentation of Wagner's great
Ill