The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-25
PRAISE FOR @PARSlFAL'
.MA0NrRNCENW PRODUCTION IN
 NEW YORK.
First Time the Opera Has Been Sung Outside Of Beyreuth-Enor- nous Audience is High
 ly Pleased.

New York, Dec. A.--In spite of suc-
 cessive legal complications. a small storm of pulpit protest, and some enormous
 practical difEicuities. Richard wagner's
 sacred music drama ''Parsifap' was pro-
 duced at the Metropolitan Opera House this evening before an immense audience.
 The production takes rank not only as
 the most sensational event in American
 operatic history. but 1t has a worldwide importance as the first public perform
 ance of the much discussed drama out
 side of Bayreuth and "a serious blow
 aimed at the ao-cailed Rayreuth mono poly which 'sPsFEifai.a by tts restriction 10 the stawN has largely created and maintained for the Wagner heirs. To give the work has meant the com plete rebuilding of the Metropolitan stage, the purchase of most elaborate mechani- cal appliances and lighting apparatus and a ransaching of the musical centres of | Europe to secure a crops of experts for
 every department, complete to direct the
 details of the drama as 1t is given In Bayreuth.
 The results as summed up in tonight's performance indicate triumph for the directors. Opinion of every one who has made the 'tParsifaI pilgrimage" to Bay
 reuth was treated to the most sumptuous mounting the work has ever received. Never has "Parsifal'' been given so | superb a scenic dress; never more thoroughly adequate musical interpreta- ton.
 It is safe to say that no such huge audience has ever been compressed within
 the four walls of the Metropolitan Opera House nor can even an ''old timer" re- A~fNf
 sentative character.
 Baltimore, Chicago and other cities sent
 parties of enthusiasts and most every
 one we'll known in art, literature or music throughout the country could be met in the jostle of 3ne Hobbies and corridors. For weeks every seat from the footlights to the roof had been sold and could have
 resold a score of times.
 The performance was begun punctually at o'clock, the opening of the drama
 and that of each. of it's each acts being heralded after the Bayreuth custom by trumpeters on the main sta4rcases. The
 first act, ending at about o'clock was
 followed by a recess for dinner. The
 performance was resumed at a quarter
 before o'clock and concluded at about half past eleven. These arrangements,
 coupled with the total darkenlng of the house. presented society with the practi- cal problems of Where to dine" and
 "how to dress" inasmuch as the curtain arose before the hour at which evening dress. acording to social canons, is per-
 missible Society settled them in variety of ways. While some used the long intermission to drive home, as a rule dinner was taken at the principal restaurants nearby, tables at which had been reserved for weeks. All sorts of solution of the dress problem were to be
 seen.
 The cast at all points was very strong,
 three of its principals having learned their respective roles under the tutelage of Frau Wagner. These were Herr AL ters BurEstaller as "Parisfal." Frau Milka Ternina as "Kundry," and Herr Blass as
 ''Guernemanz" Anton Van Rooy was
 the "Amfortas," M. Marcel Journet the l ''TitureI." and Herr Otto Goritz the
 "ISlinKsor," the last mentioned making his first appearance in America. As was to be expected from Herr Burg
 staller's "siegfred," he made an admir- able "Parsifal."
 Herr Blass as "Gurnemanz." the old knight who takes "Parsifal' to the grail temple, thinking him the prophesied | 'Guileless Fool" was not altogether sat-
 isfactory. His embodiment was earnest and not without power, but 1t lacked the
 exaltation and the benignity which Scar cia and Wiegand gave to their respective parts.
 Much praise must go to Herr Goritz for his ''Klingsor." Van Rooy's "Amfortas' is assuredly the best thing he has ever
 done. He pictured admirably the wound
 cd king of the Grail, sick to death. tor tured alike by the anguish of the spear thrust in his side and the torments of remorse: and in the great scene where,
 forced to perform his office, he uncovers
 the sacred cup and his acting and singing both rose to splendid level.