The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-01
AT THE THEATERs
Metropoiitan-castIe Square Opera Com
pany In 1T annhauser,"

lor tne .deNotee OF the Italian
school as we'll as for ''the perfect Wag-
nerite." True, it does not entirely please
either, for when Wagner wrote it he had
not nurst all the shackles of his bondage
TO old ideas and old methods. He had
pldden farewell to scenas and arias and
Al the stilted and artificial ornamentation
that had made of opera a mere recital in
costume. without action or dramatic in
terest But he had not developed the
music drama into the approved form it
TOOK later on in the Ring cycle. Nor had
ne brought to perfection the use of the
Leit-Motlf In changing phases to express
ruling emotion or typify character.
Inc interest In the story Of 'Tannhauser"
Is rather thin, picturesque though it's set
ting be, and despites.th the allegorical pur-
pose of the author the motive seems in
adequate: But the noble music with
which, 1T is Illustrated, from the wonder
1ul overture to the tremendous final eli
max. has given the work an immortal
popularity. 20 tNs .l1
Mr.. sheehan last night. surprised even
MS Warmest admirers by the dramatic
intensity with which he Informed the title
role: The beauty and strength Of his
robust tenor had been conceded, but it
seemed to require the stirring music and
strong situations of Wagnerian role to
orIng out his latent dramatic powers.
MOI alone In gesture and action was this
to pc noted, but in the marvellous: color
OF ms tones that matched the dominant
emotlon or the moment. The despair Of
Ia1lilhauser on his return from Rome un-
forgiven, 2hls conflicting emotions as Wolf
ram strove, to restrain him from return
ing 10 MS SIN, his supreme grief and final
,salVatlon at the bier Of Elizabeth-these
were to be read in Mr.. aSheehan's singing
as readily as IN his words and his actions
MISS Norwood, too,= seemed at her best
as Eilzapeth. Her broad, free style of
singing is better adapted to- Wagnerian
roles than for instance to such a highly
ornamented or, score as that of Leonora in
IroVatore.' The greeting to the fami-
mar hall at the opening Of the singing con
test scene proved how Well Miss Norwood
can sing when the conditions are favor
able In the trying moments later on she
depicted with simple earnestness the grief
OF the princess over: Tannhauser's crime
ana rose to spirited action in pleading for
his salvation. .,. - -
Mr.. Golf made an entirely worthy third
to these two with his fine Wolfram His
parytone has not hitherto in this engage
ment. been heard to so good advantage
ana the! nobility Of his bearing gave dig
nlty and seriousness to the role. His
singing Of the Evening. STAR song was
dehght for its musical sorority
Mr. Boyle, always a splendid stage fig
ure' was impressive as the. landgrave and
sang We'll. Mr.. Fulton as Walther. Mr..
CoomDs as B1terolf' and Miss Du Ere as
the shepherd boy, We're excellent Miss
Ramey scarcely filled ones ideal of Venus,
lacking the seductive quality of beauty
10 De expected In the goddess, but her
singing was pleasing and of appropriate
quality. ~5ts{sE [,.@.
Ihe chorus. to, the male portion Of
which fall some wonderful zWagnerian n
harmon1es, acquitted itself with credit al
tnough sometimes guilty of inharmonies.
The orchestra, upon whom Wagner al
ways: lays the burden of an intricate1y
| task and after ~ the overture Director
Emanuel was forced to bow his acknowI-
edgements for storm Of applause. =. ~.
l. a-a -- s>-W.&B. ~ Chamberlain
seaz Foyer .psat3 !. 5 ( = ;
Tannhauser" Will be The Offering of Che
castle Square opera company at the Met
Iopoiitan Tonight, with Mr.. Sheehan in
beth.
- r.: r.
George c. Boniface, Jr., is.Nthe principal
comedian of 1.-The StrolIerssssxthis wear
With his amusing personality. his original
| and unctuous methods, he Should make
the part of August Lump at the Metro
ably seconded in !. the comedy work. bv
! Neill McNeill and@D. l.. Don, an eccentric
farceur. ( .45& !<E
'Bolivar's Busy Bay to: appear at the
Bijou next week, is a? ra pidI fire of quick
moving comedy, with enough plot to hole
the attention, with a#bevy Of chorus girls
and dancers, and capable company.
| % ':ir---G ~
"A Ragged Hero, = the melodrama nov
holding forth at the sBijou,s is doubly pleas.
ing in that it contains the elements Of
both rural comedy and, exciting melo
| drama. - i :. {,>@>'t
! Two large audiences witnessed .'Resur
rection' as produced by the Ferris stool
company at the Lyceum yesterday after
noon and evening" The second matine,
OF, the, week VIII be given tomorrow
Starting Sunday evening, the company will
be seen in a most complete production O
Uncle Toms Cabin.