New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-06
WAGNER,S WISH NO WHIn
So Says One Who Opposes "Parsi-
fQP' Production Here.
81 the Editor 81 90 Trfbune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir Now that the courts have decided that
Nine. Wagner cannot restrain the projected per-
formances Of ''ParsifaI in New-York. have been
daily waiting for some American Wagneran to
raise his voice in protest. I have waited with
growing wonder at the silence. Is IT then left TO
myself-an amateur who for fourteen years was
the secretary Of the English wagner Society-to
speak out in behalf Of the dead master and his
last work?
It seems 10 me that the question is a purely
moral and artistic In dealing with it, wish
It TO be clear that in no way concerned with
wagner's living heirs with the subject Of any
pecunjary loss they may or may not sustain when
the "Parsifal" monopoly has ceased TO exist. The
question can only be considered by serious thinkers
from point OF view altogether higher
20 my mind. the first. last and conclusive argu-
ent against the production is the earnest wish Of
the author that Il should be confined TO Bayreuth.
That being so. by what possible moral right dare
we seize & dead artists treasure without permits
sion from his lawful heirs2 Ethicay, il Is just as
much his and their property to-day as 1t was at
the hour Wagner finished II. What kind Of Wag-
nerians are We to play the robber and the vandaI-
turn q contemptuous back upon that clause in
his viii and testament which solemnIy irnplored
his heirs and disciples to preserve II pure and
holy IN its mountain homer are his wishes TO be
brushed ruthlessly aside? How comes II that we
attempt do. within twenty years Of his death
what could not DO before il? Are we to write
ourselves down Goths and Philstinesg
The fact. then. that he desired il 10 be confined
10 Bayreuth is sufficient for those Of US who
preserve our loyalty. But If q free inquiry into
the masters reasons be insisted Upon-if it be
asked, Was il Old mans within? Was It one
Of those unaccountable caDrices that sometimes
overrake man OF genius? On what grounds should
he restrict the representation Of his last Work 10
a sleepy town in the Bavarian Highlands thus
depriving the world at large OF a fresh sensation!
if these questions be pressed, answer IS this
Ia Pa hay o
significance unique in the realm OF dramatic art
and saturated with the innermost juice OF the
Indian and Christian PHILOSOPHERS. Il reveals
woman more as a danger and snare tnan as a
saving element We have before Us King OF the
Grail struck down with the wound Of sin; Lieoes-
NAH consisting Of the Wafer and the Vine nero
otsll4vo LoL WI I-t-it "a g5ale1
are Amounted ana wiped by cOhtLIts S1as 1ieI.
and a cup-the vessel from which Christ drank at
g.ows with Inc Sacred Blood within il What sub.
jeGL IS this 10 burst upon the Grove OF gISat e,y
duced q poem unique In character-one when IS
practically impossible under modern theatrical con
ditons 70 present the stage as ne conceived II
should presented. except for carefully prepared
festival purposes. Hence mis- solemn INJUNCTION to
Bsyreuth performance IN lss- remember wen th4l
at the close OF the first act there was applause;
Wagner rose from his seat IN the theatre and
spoke to the audience earnestly begging them 10
arouse bv this work are not those which it
Onstrations-" These words strike the Keynote OF
the play a. 49,. -..-.. .,-,,,..,o.. u-As-0
is our own OF proportion? are We next TO see
sons v no nave stood up and sd stand up for prin-
tive Christianity In opposition 10 the carcature Of
many OF the churches have pay a certain price
FOR their convictions and outspokenness. 50, as an
artist / am forced to ask: IS one or the loruest
arf works Of the nineteenth century 10 De VuI-
p died and dragged into the custf
TrHe s.FarsIfaI' TO be understood Alright involves
training preparation and study. To quote Scho-
80 bsuer's noble words 10 the art WOTk IN the
Ff-stract. We must needs stand before II as we
nd hefore q great man and wait patiently until
~ deirns 10 speak" What preparation and train
ing cn the part of the audience VIII be gone
Though here before the cup gloWs once more Win
tie Sacred Blood IN a theatre IN broadway Even
Errfortas the King seeks 20 escape from the rune
siov ~ unwilling H. In what respect are We MS
s-Treriors7 We reach forth our nasty hands 10! II
.S did Klingor the fallen! This deed OF music
IrotIght 20 sight" this pearl OF incalculaoie price
,frogru down on the paveTaents OF the race Ie
sC,rEra broadway and cOvent Garden! II the
5s~rffaI" be produced here, Il VIII De one OF Lls
r,osf Shocking things that has occurred IN my me-
t,~9e The profound and intense emotions Whlch are
[svded bv the Bayrruth performances OF u, aIo
fSev 10 be- lightly played upon in great cll4es De
g'oted 10 pleasure and money maklngF II IS an
arr sscrflege 20 produce il save AZ specla IesVls
slcf as those which Witnessed the tragedles OF lis
Greek tragedians For festival purposes was II
Conceived and written by IFS immortal author, tor
festival purposes has IL hitherto been IeseIV To
festival purposes should II be care-lly cheI5sheu
and handed down 10 future geneTaIloiS ~, louis
truly. Cha Ills ~" SA@' !" A-~
New-York city. Dec 8. lob