The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-19
OPERA At A SUPPER TABLE.
A Time when Jean de Reszke and Nordica
Sang to Please Friend.
Hermann Klein IN the Century

had hoped before my return to Eng
land. to hear both "Lohengrin" and iris
tan" in German, but rs IL turned out. could
not remain for the latter. But nv self-denal
was first to receive compensation in the
shape of very rare. II not unparalleled,
compliment
" was arranged that we were all to sup
together in Nine Nordica's apartments at
her hotel after the performance of "Lohen-
grin" Our hostess was, indeed, the heroine
in a special sense, Of that representation.
for after the bridal scene she was presented
with a superb diamond tiara, which ha d
been subscribed for by the leaders of New
York society,
II was the first time ever saw the Metro
politan Opera House and was much struck
with its handsome proportions. Then, again.
under Anton Seidls magic wand. the per-
Torrance touched AT all points n very high
level of excellence. Finally. | derived i'm
menso pleasure from the novel sensa ton
Of hearing Jean and Edouard dc Reszke az
opponents Of WaEner's own text Their CON
scientious enunciation of each syllable. their
accurate diction. and their ndmrabl accent
seemed to impart an added dignity alike 70
the music and to their representations. Nine
Nordica. too, handled the German words
with remarkable facility and confidence.
Altogether, II was n most mcrito rious achieve
ment.
The subsequent reunion at the hotel found
every one in the highest spirits Besides
the three artists. there We're present Nine.
Nordicas sister. Mrs. Walker, and Am
herst Webber. the talented English maestro
al piano, who had recently acted AS accom-
PIANIST to the brothers In their Wagncrian
studies.
After supper tho conversation turned
upon Bayrcuth, and reference was made 10
n certain half promise given by Jean dc
ResHke to Frau Cosma that he would one
day sing Tristan" and "Walther." or per-
haps even "Sie0fried." at the festival. I
remarked that. after what | had heard that
night. | entertained no doubts concerning
the adequate quality of his accent
Then the distinguished tenor turned 70
Nine. N0rdica and proposed that. ns ] was
evidently not to he made 10 alter my deter
mination TO leave before the production OF
Tristan" the best thing they could do would
he to bring the mountain to Mohammed"
and sing some Christian" to m" there and then;
and that between I and . in the morning.
and after n heavy opera like "LOhengrin"!
Surely IL was not possible, But surprise
and incrcduity quickly changed 10 delight,
For without an instant's hesitation, Nine,
Noriica consented; Mr.. W"bber went TO the
piano and played few Introductory bars;
and almost before | could realize what was
being done, the two gifted artists We're warb-
ling the wondrous love scene from Wagner .
immortal music-dramn.
They did not spare themselves. either.
these generous friends. They sanG. with
fun voice; they went through not, only the
scene with which they had started. but the
duet of the first act IA we'll and, from begin
ming to end, the exquisite beauty of their
phrasing. thu blending Of their voices in per-
feet intonatiOn and unity Of color. the sig
niticance of their supreme dramatic interpre-
tation, constituted at once marvel and u
revelation. II was n strange experience.
Mr. Webber had moved from our seats
while for an hour or more those two famous
singers revcled in the enjoyment of their
purpose of comforting pleasure upon an old
frienA 49, -