New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-01
NJ USIC.
Wagner's "ParsifaP' in English


wasner's drama. "ParsifaI" dignined and seq
resated from all the rest OF the stagepays in the
| world. whether not they utilize the language OF
| music, by being reserved for stated and solemn
performances at a little town in Bavaria. pro-
duced at the Metropolitan Opera House in this city
last season stupendous pother preceded. accom-
panied and followed the representations The issues
involved the controversy were so many 80 varied
and complex that II Is a grave question
| II anybody quite grasped them all AS
! result Of the agitation. however, thing
/ was plain II It proper that the work
! should be done under other conditions than those
contemplated by the poet-compossr when he
| ated 1t and brought it forward and to which he
restricted II SO far as the laws protecting dramatic
works permitted him to do SO. then the perform
ances at the Metropolitan Opera House last season
were but the beginning OF a new era in the history
! OF the drama-an era which would submit II to
test which its most reverent admirers dreaded and
only its enemies desired Into the second phase OF
! that era. inevitable one the people of New
York were introduced last night, when Par
sifal" performed in English at the New
YORK Theatre. at the instance and by the forces
of the interchangeable Mr.. Henry ". Savage. The
facts concrete irreversible and in the OF
then IL is perhaps best to call truce to all the
sentimental issues involved. no matter what their
virtues. Henceforth in America at least. "Parsi-
fal is an opera OF the rspertory. All that remains
Is question OF artistic propriety and this rests
on the measure Of achievement attained. The
mystery play has been stripped Of conditions upon
which the world has long known that much Of fts
impressive and essential loneliness rested. Does
drama that Is dignlfed and beautiful remain?
Last nights representation challenged
answer; and 1t given IN the affirmative. Par
sifal'' be given in an ordinary theatre. in
foreign tongue and without the accessories which
have long hedged it about and remain art
work OF solemn and moving beauty. If compar-
isons with Bayreuth and the Metropolitan repre-
sensations are necessary. they be made with
inviting the thought that the lOctiest artistic
strivugs have been desecrated. Did those familiar
with the Bayreuth representation feel painfully
the loss OF the artistic atmosphere which has
been the cause OF SO much cheap wit on the part
OF the journalistic witIings? Unquestionably So
they did at the Metropolitan representa-
lions. So they Will ever, long entertainment
and art are COMPOUNDED, so long amusement the
arts OF the muses., Is held mean idle diversion.
No blame to them long they intelligent
and unaffected honest. 10 say II in a word Did
those whose knowledge OF the work de-
rived from last years performances at the
Opera House depIore lack OF poetic
well scenic perspective and a want
OF fulness. spontaneity and sensuous beauty OF
tone we'll as cpUence OF picture? Their judg-
ment shall not be gainsaid, The big vital signih
cant and potent fact remains that "Parsifal."
duced to theatrical proportions, deruded Of all It's
adventurous elements. was presented by Mr.
Savage's forces in that
PEELED the wonder and respect OF the know
ing we'll the irnocent that made
those who came TO SCON remain 10 pray 10
speak in phrase rot altogether hgurative Only
a few crude gestures and movements few sti'ted
utterances. reminded OF the performances by
Mr.. Savase's other opera companies. Chiefly, the
performance was professional in sense. In
tellgence marked the handling OF the stage me
chanical slips undeserving OF under such
circumstances) and understanding o. the require
ments OF the drama Scenes like that Of ParstfaIs
temptation by the flower madens in the
second lifted into atmosphere %
,I,, Ma
comparison. and that with the notable scenes
the Metropolitan Opera House last winter When
the invisible chors began s!ns in the temple
OF the first act comparison gave to
contrast for last nights singers gave us volume.
precision tonal purity, where las. were
left guessing what the would be II the music
righteousy sung.
A better orchestra would have been a boon. when
there was so much that good-when there was
a conductor Ike Mr.. Rothwell TO throw all Of
intelligent mind and a susceptible heart into his
work and singers like Nine Kirkby- Lunn, Pen
narini, Blschon and Grswold 70 invite such support
as artists Of highest class deserve. Concerning
them and the details OF their work there will be
time to speak hereafter-auple time, II Mr.. Saw
ages plans for a long stay, which once looked
quixotic but now seem wholly reasonable.
RED out The English performance of "ParsfaI'
is not a thirg 10 be disposed OF once in a
hurry.