The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-25
RICHARD WAGNER'S "PARSIFAL"
PRODUCED BEFORE THOUSANDS
Most Sensational Eu History of Opera P,oductionA Graf
Triumph for Director COMIed

brilliant especially IN the trying scene
with Kundry in the second act.
..Kundry'" both by reason of the difficuities
OF the part and the remarkable interpreta-
ton she gave IL.
ture OF the first act, the seductive tempt
ress OF the second. and the penitent woman
OF the third could have been embodied by
the same artist
Herr Blass. as "Gurnemanz." the old
knight who takes Parsifal to the grail tenn
pie. thinking him the prophecfed ''guileless
fool was not altogether satisfactory. HIS
embodiment was earnest and not without
power. but it lacked the exaltation and the
benightly which Scarcia and Wiegand gave
to. the part at Beyreuth- Measured praise
too, must go to Herr Goritz, for his King
sor was but a mild hammered magician The
part needs the venomed wickedness OF Me-
phistopeles and for this Herr Gorftz could
not find expression. II was otherwise with
Van Rooys Amfortas. which is assuredly the
best thing he has ever done He pietursd
sick TO death. tortured alike by the anguish
OF the spear thrust in his side and the tor
| ments of remorse; and in the great scene
where. forced 10 perform his office, he I'M
covers the sacred cup. his acting and sing
ing both rose to splendid level.
SPECTACULAR FEATURES.
To consider last the spectacular features
Of "Parsifal" Is 10 do them gross injus-
tice, since they of almost paramount
interest in their own right, and were the
most brilliant features of Mr. Conrieds
production. The first scene, that OF a for
est glade near Monsalvet. with an exquisite
vista of shimmering lake in the back
ground, was masterpiece OF scenic art.
This gave way, as Guernemunz and Parsi-
fal walk toward the castle, 10 the cele--
brated panoramic scene, in which rocks,
trees, shrubbery and more distant objects
are moved on rollers and at differing rates
OF speed as to simulate changing
| perspective. Rocky walls succeed forest
| depths, then subterranean galleries. and
| ffnally there bursts into view the magnif-
| cent hall OF the Grail, with its vistass col
umns and arches and it's huge luminous
| dome. The ceremony in which the knights.
seated at the great circular table, see the
| cup unveiled, behold its mystic light. and
are fed from 1t while the music OF invisi-
| BILE choirs floats down from the heights OF
/ the dome, is surely the most impressive
scene the stage has ever presented.
In the second act there is the vanishing OF
| Klingsors Castle and the simultaneous APP
| pearance OF his magic garden with its riot
Gus troops of houriS. designed for the Sc
| both in the splendor Of the stage sets and
| the richness of costuming was a notable ad-
vance on anything ever seen at Beyreuth-
their physical as well as their vocal beauty
and their dancing about Parsifal was most
artistically contrived. Concluding this was
| the destruction of the enchanted place as
| Parsifal waves the recovered sacred spear.
a remarkable quick change" Finally in
| the last act there was a new panoramic ap-
proach TO the Grail hall and an even more
| splendid ceremonial tableau.
| In the hands OF Herr Alfred Hertz, the
| score received a superb reading In which
every detail was cared for II seems
| will ever take the same hold on the imagina-
| tion which that of Wagner's other dramas
| have done; and it remains to be seen. now
| that the door has been opened TO a general
| knowledge of "Parsifar' what permanent
| place it is to take In popular esteem