New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-02
THE ENGLISH "pARsIFAL" AGAIN

1t is a hopeless proposition to bring the many
membered and disgruntled public mind into agree
ment on the subject of a "Parsifal" performance
whether II takes place in the Wagnerian Mecca
the Metropolitan Opera House or the New-YOrk
Theatre. This being as all can testify who have
had experiences at the three places II seems proper
to refer to present dOings with complete disregard
Of all that has happened heretofore The old advice
to free ones mind from cant might advantageous
" be remembered along with the admonition that
an ordinary theatrical performance in New-York
IS not the same the minds OF those who attend it
as q solemn festival function for which the curl
osity hunter or the devotee travels across seas.
Let us recognize that one charm Of "Parsital' has
been lost forever: il is no longer romantic ideal
to the multitude. 1t has been brought within the
reach Of the many. An ideal however. is no longer
an IDEAL after been realized and therefore It
may be said that "Parsfal' must be judged from
entirely different points OF view in Bayreuth and
New-York. It has become repertory piece here.
and the most interesting speculation about it
touches it's attractive powers as such piece.
Mr. Savage has gone to the people with his ex-
pertinent. He has made so honest and brave
show that all those who at once curious and
wise will be willing to await the outcome, CON
scious of it's wide-reaching result. The perform
ance on Monday evening was in the highest degree
creditabe: it only depended on the point of view
to what extent 1t should be lauded. That of last
night. which brought forward new people in the
principal parts was praiseworthy in the de-
gree when all things brought into considera-
ton. The serious purpose and large achievement
were there, although Nine. Kirkby-Lunn
placed by Nine. Hanna Mara, who had more trOu-
bic than her predecessor with the English tongue.
In this use of the vernaCular will lie large pOr
ton Of the crux in Mr. Savage's experiment. In the
operas in which tune is all in all the ordinary
musical public does not whether the
words are sung intelligiby. Italian. French. Ger
man is all one because the public listens only to
the music. But understanding of Wagner's texts
Is a sine qua non enjoyment. ana when those
texts are put into the veruacular and made vocal
1t is essential that they uttered that all may
understand them. Wagner's music not only allows
it commands. this and Mr.. Savages performances
will never be what they ought to be or win the
popularity which is their due till all that is is
understanded of the people
There were other important changes in the cast
last night M Pennarni yielded his place 10 Mr.
Francis MAGELLAN who was a Parsifal of the old
Castle Square standard. Mr. Franz Egeneff, a
nunu of Nine Lehman took the part of Amfortas
from Mr. Bischoff and made rivalry with
hin, In all respects while Mr.. Ottley Cranston
toox the part of Curnemanz Mr.. Moritz Grimm
conducted the performance, which moved more
freely than on the first night Let this, which is
little than record suffice Tor comment as we'll
II is interesting to note that Mr.. Savage decided
yesterday TO bring the performances more into ac-
cord with existing theatrical conventions There is
80 he NO more nonsense about the hour Of begin
ming. the intermezzo. etc. Beginning with to-mor
- Tho evAninp performances Will begin at IT'S
o'clock the interval between the first and second
acts will be shortened the first intermssion by at
Iaost an hour. The curtain will close at 1885 p m
The first matinee will take place to-day beginning
- :, o'clock and there will be intermission Of
an hour between the first and second acts.