The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-25
..P|:'AI'|RSIFAL PRESENTED
IN new YORK
econ tinued from First Page.)
aided, after Baireuth customs, by trum-
PETERS upon the main staircases.
70

aided, after Baireuth customs, by trum-
peters upon the main stalrcases.
RECESS FOR DINNER.
The first act, ending at about Z. was
followed by a recess for dinner; the per-
Torrance was resumed at a quarter be-
fore 0 and concluded at about half-past
II, These arrangements, coupled with
the total darkenng OF the house. pre-
sented society with the practical prob
lens Of 'whera TO dine" and chow to
dress" inasmuch as the curtain arose
before the hour at which evening dress,
according to social canons. is permls-
sible.
Society settled them in a variety of
ways. While some used the long inter-
mission to drive home, as a rule dinner
was taken at the principal restaurants
nearby, tables at which had been re-
served for weeks.
All sorts Of solutions Of the dress prob
lem were to be seen.
Audience Rcverential.
The attitude Of tho audience. all things
considered, was revererual and atten-
tive. It Is safe to say that most people
were impressed. Applause after the first
act was successfully Kissed down, but
after the second. nothing could have
controlled 1t. and the principals were
brought repeatedly before tho curtain
amid boundless enthusiasm.
The cast at all important points was a
strong one, three at least Of Its princl-
pals having learned their respective roles
under the tutelage OF Frau Wagner. These,
were Herr Aloisburgs taller" as Par
slfal" Frau RIilka Ternlna as "Kun-
dry and Herr Blassas, SGurne-
rnanz"; Anton Van Rooy was the "Anl-
fortes,: NJ. Marcel Gourmet. the 'Titurel,"
and Herr Otto Gorltz, tho "Ilingsor,''
the last mentioned making his first Amer
lean appearance, Herr Blasas Gurna-
man, the old knlght, who takes "Parsl-
fal" to the grail temple thinking him tho
prophesled "guileless fool" was not al
together satisfactory. Measured praise,
too must go to Herr Goritz for his
"K!ngsor," was but q mild hammered
magician IT was otherwise With Van
Rooy's "Amfortas," which Is assurediy
tho best thing he has ever done, He pic
tured admirably the wounded King Of
Grail. TO portray the 10Y Parsifal as ne
is shown in the first act. q "guileless
foo" innocent. pure. simple. but uncouth,
almost wild, as well to follow his growth
Of soul is a great dramatic task tu which
Herr Burgstaller proved himself fully
equal, Ills singing. moreover was
most brilliant High praise must
go to Nine Terminus ''Kunary." It
was difficult to believe that the
savage creature Of the first act, the
seductive temptress OF the second, and
the penitent woman Of the third, could
have been embodied by the same artist.
Grand Spectacular Features.
TO consider the last the spectacular fea-
lures of "ParsifaP' Is to do them a gross
injustice, since they are Of almost para
mount interest In their right and were
the most brilliant features Of Mr.. Con-
reids production. The first scene, that
of a. forest glade, near Monsalvat. With an
exquisite vista Of shimmerlng lake IN
The background was a MASTERPIECES Of
scenic art, Rocky walls suecNed the for
est depths, then subterra mean galleries,
and finally there bursts into view the
magnificent hall Of the grail with Its
yisltas. columns and arches and its hugo
luminous dome. The ceremony In which
the knights. seated at the great circular
table sec the cup unveiled. behold Its
mystic light, and are fed from It while
tho music of Invisible cholrs float down
from the heights of the dome, Is surely
the most impressive scene tho stage has
ever presented, In the second act there
is the vanishing Of Kllngsors Castle and
the Simultaneous appearance Of his mag
ic garden with Its rlotous troups Of
hours, designed for The seduction Of the
grail knights. This scene both In the