The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-30
At st. Paul Theaters


'Lohengrin' is a bit of the Emusic
of the future" which the present has
adopted gladly and unreservedly. It
is delight to the ear, feast for the
eyes, soul tragedy soiled by no bru-
tality of crime or bloodshed. It is
music drama for the people, for to OBJ
tain from it keen enjoyment it is not
necessary to apprehend the psychology
of it. What the drama fails to make
one understand, the music makes one
feel. Both are subtitle enough for the
analyst and both are primitive enough
for the people who only wish to re-
ceive and who have no desire to ana
lyze.
Last night an appreciative audience
heard this most popular of the Wag-
ner operas sung in English at the
Metropolitan theater by Mr.. Savage's
English Grand Opera company. The
opera was most successfully presented
from every standpoint, pictorial, dra-
matte and musical. Especially was the
strength of the orchestra splendidIy
demonstrated last night. Under the
potent baton of Conductor Schenck,
who made his first bow to a ST Paul
audience, the exquisite motifs of the
opera were beautifully expressed by the
instruments. The reading of the open
ing prelude and the prelude to the
third act, those two introductions
which are such happy preparations for
the unfolding which follows, were fine
examples of vigorous, artistic and
compact orchestral work.
Mr.. Wegener, who sang the role of
Lohengrin. is one of the new singers
the Savage company has brought with
it to ST. Paul this year. Vocally Mr..
Wegener was most satisfactory last
night. He has a voice of exquisite
compass and fine timbre, and it is,
moreover, full of warmth. Mr.. Veg
ener is also a most comedy Lohengrin,
of good height and imposing physique
The air of reserve and the dign1fled
mien which one would expect in a
knight of the Grail are not lacking in
this new Lohengrin. AS an actor
however, Mr.. Wegener is somewhat
deficient. This was noticeable in the
first act, and curieusly enough, too, in
the last act, when an unreadiness on
his part caused the action to drag.
But he was entirely satisfactory in
the scene with Elsa in the bridal
chamber, and, indeed, throughout the
opera his generous vocal equipment
compensated for any histrionic lack.
Miss Brooks Elsa is most attractive
and appealing. Her voice is sweet and
clear, and she was equal to the dra-
matte demands made upon her. The
dream song was beautifully sung, and
in her duet with Ortrud in the second
act, and with Lohengrin in the third,
she worked up to climax of dramatic
fervor and vocal strength that was
most impressive.
The role of Ortrud was sung by Miss
Newman, who has big, dramatic and
richly colored voice, an imposing stage
presence and an excellent conception OF
the dramatic possibilities of the role
She was a stormy Ortrud, whose SOM
Der personality dominated the scene
even when her protesting or denounc-
ing or alluring voice was silent.
Mr.. Boyle was satisfactory as the
king; Mr.. MarSano made the part or
Telramund an impressive one.
From a scenic point of view, 10
hengrin'' was most satisfactorily pre-
scented. The Bridal chorus" was eX-
cellently sung by the chorus Of wom-
ems voices. The male chorus was also
satisfying.
This evening, Carmen"
Francis Wilson is a name to conjure
with when it is mentioned in connec-
ton with "Erminie," for he has done
much for "Ermfnie,' and it may be
said that "ErIninie" has done much for
him. 1t must be acknowledged, how
ever, that Wilson has thriven without
'Erminie' while "Erminie" has SEEM
ingly gone into a decline without the
magnetic influence of Wilson. In the
cities where this famous comic opera
has been revived, the business has
been big, which shows that the theater
going public never really tire Of good
thing.
Francis Wilson will appear at the
Metropolitan for one week, beginning
next Monday, with company of star
players. The company includes Mar
guerita sylvia, Jessie Bartlett Davis,
William Broderick, Jennie Weathersby,
Clara Belle Jerome, Sig. Perugini, Will
liam c. Weeden and Robert Frederick.
The sale of seats will open at the box
Office Thursday.
Another large audience gathered at
the Grand last evening to witness
"Wedded and Parted" There will be
matinee today at 2:30.
'The Stain of Guilt will have its
first presentation in this city at the
Grand next week.
The Rentz-Santley company, with a
strong vaudeville and burlesque bill, is
drawing well at the Star this week.
The acrobatic turn furnished by the
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