The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-01
Lyceum-"Parsifal."

Whatever motive that prompted the
management of the Ferris Stock company
to produce a characterization OF Wagner
''Parsifal," which began its engagement at
the Lyceum theater Sunday night it is
entitled to much praise for it's courage in
furnishing something to the local public
which appeals to the intellect
With the crudities, incongruities and &C
casfonal absurdities in any adapted pro-
duction, it is nevertheless an achievement
by which the people OF Minneapolis can
profit, which demonstrates the capab1l-
ity Of a company whose members might
have failed miserably in their efforts to
enter into the spirit of religious drama,
and which possibly marks the beginning
of a demand for something more serious
in the popular priced theaters Of the coun-
try.
AS the press agent has so truly said.
"Parsifal'' is presented in but two other
cities in the world. Bayreuth and New
York; but it is not to be supposed that the
"Parsifar' as Wagner would have had It
produced and the "Parsifal' as Mr.. Ferris
has produced it are identical.
The dramatized version as used at the
Iiyceum is not without literary merit and
the incidental music as played by an aug
mented house orchestra is from the score
of the great TWagnerian work, but IN It's
present form 'Parsifal' is little more than
a series Of striking tableaux interpreted
| largely by their musical setting.
And yet the story as told by wagner
| the story of sin and sorrow and final re-
demption-is faithfully repeated by a com
pany whose reverent reading OF the Ines
! is almost equal to the stupendous task Q.
properly impressing an audience whose
appreciation of what is going forward on
| the stage is not always that Whlch mai
lcates entire intelligence.
| Add to this some really artistic stage
| settings a large company carefully drilled
| in the minor parts and well selected as tG
| the principal roles, and the acceptable in
terpretation Of the frequently recurring
| holy grail motif and the other better
rnown PARTS Of the music of the opera
and there is given performance worthy
/ of the serious attention Of any audience
OF course, a certain portion Of the pub
lie is duly prepared to get laugh M
of anything, from a sermon down, ant
certain hysterical women ma mucl
amusement in the impressive scene wher
Kundry washes the feet Of Parsifal. Blu
the performance is not deserving Of ridi
cule The one really weak place is in tn
), properties, which might have been pre-
pared with more care and greater expense
| OF the principals in the cast Ben John
son as the knight Gurnemanz, agail
demonstrates the power Of his personalit
) and testifies to the finished school il
which he learned to read, and his 1igur
) stands out as no other. George Gilmore
,. as Amfortas. furnishes something OF
surprise to those who have been accus
: toned to seeing him in character bits, TO
i his Interpretation is dignified and impress
!, sive. Miss Grace Hayward in the weir
! role OF Kundry doubtless has somethin
= yet to do in completing the character a
she understands 1t, and A. Byron Beasle
as Parsifal seems to be little out {
}hfs element. Mr. Murdoch as KIingsol
: the magician, is acceptable.
e Earl G. May.