New-York tribune., 1903-01-08
MUSIC
"T,lstan ind Isolde" Repeated

The evidences OF Nine. Nordica's study OF Isolde.
which were obvious last Saturday afternoon were
still obvious last night when wagner tl4s-
edy repeated at the Metropolitan opera Hoase.
The study seems to have been directed chiefly TO
the external phenomena Of the character, ana
while its results are generally gratifying, and 10
those who find delight in pose, gesture ana
theatric action than in observance Of the deeper
and truer creations of the poet-eomposer' must
seem more than ordinarily striking. they do not all
challenge the approval OF the judicous knOwers OF
Wagner's work. A growing tendency 10 the meio-
dramatically spectacular has been noticeaoie
among the wagnerian singing-aetors even since
the death OF the master. 1t is natural tendency,
which took It's impulse from Wagner himself, who
frequently substituted melodramatc efforts for
conceptions which beautifully poetic in their
original profession. Protesting always that the
public might safely be trusted TO comprehend his
purposes. he nevertheless sophisticated them so as
to make them obvious to the more or less idle
spectator. Il is to this that his foolish re-
vision of the fnalt Of "Tannhauser,' his sanction
Of the production Of the sword In the finale
Of 'Das Rhein gold" the substitution Of the touch
of the lance for the healing question in "ParsifaL
In spite of his asseverations 1t is plain that Wag
believed with Berlioz that the public has no
Imagination and that woven PAGES and waving
arms essential TO convey dramatic ideas, no
matter how eIoquentiy they may have been ut
tered in the poetry and music. But while mod
Grafton marked the wishes Of Wagner. intemper-
ance has seized upon his present representatives
and of the evil habit threatens to fasten itself
upon Nine. Nordica, presumably as the result
OF her European associations Her gestures are
growing voluminCus, her behavior conscious and
restless Ter stride wide She addresses her maid
in tones of gentIeness. but commands her ike
shrew with her hands and arms. After directing
the admission OF Tristan she strides a"ross the
stage keeping step the fatefu mUsic which sym
bolizes him and his destruc cton, compelling, or at
least permitting, him to enter with tameness
utterly irreconcf1abe with a proper conception OF
his heroic character. While arguing her right to
revenge for the death of Morold and proposing
the drink of reconciliation she is all but fury
HAPPY these are but temporary alterations due
TO the sincerity Of her desire to bring the tragic
aspects of Wagner's story home to the conscious
ness of an unima ginative public This can the
more easily be believed because she avoids all
vocal extravagance. Pouri-g her voice out with
utterly unselfsh generosity she continues in every
note and phrase to pay the old and lovely trlou'e
TO the spirit of musical beauty And SO she wins
back our gratitude while sadden{ng the reflections
invited by some Of the new features OF ner acIlhs
Last night she had a new associate in the char
acter Of Brangane. in Nine Kirkby Lunn. who gave
proof Of the pentitude of her vocal gifts by sing
ing the music of kundry in Boston on Tuesday
and essayfng IsoIde's maid last night Mr. Grau
will never have to postpone representation OF
Tristan und Isolde for want of singer for the
part of Brangane. He has three, all OF wnom are
vocaIly capable-Mmes Schumann-Hetnk, Homer
and Kirkby Lunn. The newest conner has voice and
musical skill that are it but her understanding
and dramatic ability yet rudimentary- Again
we must feel grateful and wait Mr. Bispham was
last nights KurwenaI, and the others in the cast
were those who took part in the tragedy last sat
urday-M De Reszke as KONG Marke. Antnes as
Tristan Muhmann as Melot and Reiss as tne
shepherd Herr Antilles bettered the g9od @ InlpFgs p
sion made before Much OF nign ofae[ "a Tn may DC
expected from HIM before the season Is over