Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-12-24

PRODUCED
XMAS EVE

NEW YORK, Dec. 23.--"ParsifaI'
| Will have its first production In Amer
lea In the Metropolitan opera house
on Christmas eve. 1t Ii without Ques-
ton the most Important operate
event that has occurred In America
and 1t has been heralded with a great
deal OF discussion and much contro-
versy. based on Ignorance OF this last
great work OF THE Master"
The unusual interest In the occas
Ion lies In the fact Of its being practi-
cally the first performance outside Of
Balrouth, with the exception OF chance
royal performances in Munich. and
that 1t is to be given despite protests
from the Wagner family and despite
the outcry OF certain number of
well-meaning or misinformed people
In this country, who consider II q sort
\ Of passion play"
Seldom indeed are new operas OF
great Importance produced here. 1t
has been many years since New York
was given the local premiere OF a
masterpiece such as "ParsIfal" II is
| even more than that 1t was Wag-
ner's last message to the world, the
| final triumph OF his genius; and Its
| production here Is indeed an epoch
marking event in the musical history
Of the United States.
Ever since this music drama was
FIRST given. twenty-one years ago. 1t
has been forbidden fruit to all but
those who could afford the time and
the money to journey to far Baireuth.
where only "Parsifal' has been Civ.
en-, with the exception OF two special
performances for King Ludwig In MI
nisb. This great work OF THE Mas
ter," as the singers revenently refer
TO Wagner. has been carefully hedged
,bout by the Wagner heirs to prevent
its being sung elsewhere.
Several clergymen have protested
against the production OF "Parsifal" on
the ground that 1t is irreverent and
'acriljsioms. But here 1t is. neverthe.
less and on Thursday night New York
| viii hear It. and In no emascuIated
form, either. 1t is the real "Parsifar
OF Wagner. with every note Of the
music, every line OF the text and ev-
cry bit of stage business as II was Gre
lted at Baireuth. The only difference
les In the fact that Heinrich Con-
reid's production at the Metropolitan
opera house will be given In style
of splendor such as Wagner never
dreamed OF. or. II he did 80 picture 1t
In his imagination. was never able to
realize, owing to the lack Of financial
means and the stage perfection OF to-
lay.
In round figures the Metropolitan
production will cost 100000, nearly
double the cost Of the Baireuth rep
resentation. In addition to the re-
sources OF stage art employed. the
cast will include great artists trained
in Wagner's own temple. the Baireuth
Festspielbaus. So there can be NO
doubt OF the vocal and dramatic per-
lection OF the performance.
There are In the cast Nine. MiIka
rernina. the Baireuth Kundry; Alois
Burgstaller. the Baireuth ParsIfL;
Anton Van Rooy, the Baireuth Amfor-
lis; Otto Goritz. who studied In the
i}aireuth school and who will make
his first appearance in America a.
klingsor, and Robert Blass. the Cur
nemanz.
The singers VIII be supported by q
great orchestra, directed by Alfred
Hertz. who is one OF the oldest Of wag-
merriam conductors and who has had
the advantage of being advised and
Instructed by the minent Baireuth con-
ductor. Felix Mottl, who for years has
been associated with the Baireuth pro-
| 1uctions
The difficult task of managing the
| stage Is in the hands OF Anton Fuchs,
who for twenty years has had like
responsibility at Baireuth and who
was selected by Wagner himself for
that position. Previously to being
made stage manager he was a mem
Der OF the cast at Baireuth. As for
the stage mounting. which Is Mr..
Fuchs particular province, 1t will as
FAR surpass that at Baireuth as Bal
reuth In early days surpassed other
operate stages. and Carl Lautensch-
lager, the technical director" who de-
yised the light effects for "Parsifal."
is unrivaled in hb, own field In Europe.
To begin with, the Metropolitan
| stage Is much larger than that on
which Wagner gave his last master
piece. and consequently more ella
borate setting Is made possible. The
Metropolitan stage was entirely re-
built last summer with the prime OBJ
ject Of producing "Parsifar perfectly,
and equipped with all the inventions
known to stage science. There are
seif-actlng bridges. counter-welshted
scenery and movable traps that will
run set pieces az though they were ON
a trolley line.
The scenery was all painted in vien-
ma and Is marvel Of careful and sla-
borate work. The coloring. especially
In the two first scenes. In beautiful a.
most beyond description.