New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-08
"PARSIFAL."
Third Representation Of Wagner's
DEMONSTRATING IbOut Kundry.

vrarner's religious drama. ''Pa-sltaI.' had its
- -.,-eearratjon CT the Metropolitan Opera
zTorsa Yesterday. II was and heard by the
most numerous OF the three audiences that have
rsthered 70 take part IN what IS more an artistic
Cd ouasi-rellgious function So said the man
,rer,eut and there nothing IN the appear
cree az the audience room 10 provoke Incredibly
We, II was known 10 all that the representation
would lack one Of the most potent OF the individual
attractions possessed by its predecessors. Nine
TerDina was not "a the cast her place being oc-
clnied by Miss Marion Weed. If the American
,sonle were as patriotic in artistic matters
European peoples there would be cause for pride
that az American artist had found an opportunity
% present herself TO her cOuntryInen in a role
which has marked the climax OF q thousand ambi-
lions and been achieved by scarcely more than
score. But q stiff neCked people, in the
theatre. and set the hallmark Of genius over that
Of nativity, and there was too much disappont-
rnent over Miss Weeds performance IN the crucial
ecene-the temptation o: Parsifal IN the second
act-to permit much rejoicing the mere fact
q her election 70 so high an estate. OF this more
presently, when the inevitable and unavoidable
comparison between the two representatives Of the
role is reached.
For the rest IL must suffice TO recount few Incl
Gents which made and marred the evening. With
the exception Of the change already noticed, the
parts were in the same hands the previous
occasions, ana there were few differences 10 be
noted in the quality OF the peTfOTman though the
ANAL slips and accidents were ewhat more
numerous. Herr BuTEstaller became loarse IN the
second act. and for space seemed to be threat
eued with extinction Of voice lie managed to
cape that calamity. however, by dint OF great
IN singing during Inc rest Of the evening. Some
meaningless changes IN the garden scene We're
omitted, though the change OF cardinal necessity
the introduction Of Kundry IN a more alIuringly
effective manner than drag, was not attempted.
There were also defects in the transformation
Of the tropical garden 10 a waste. But all per-
fornances. even those Of Bayreuth. liable TO
such accidents, which are venial blunders unless
they grow out Of Carelessness. Waguer's drama IS
enduring q severe test, more than fits future in
Aew-York has been put in jeopardy by Mr.. Con-
REDS performances It viii not do 10 forget that
fact il upper Broadway
The attention directed to the character Of Kundry
BY the substitution Of Miss Weed for Miss Ternina
invites TO a study Of that creature who has pretty
generally been set down WaSacr's most original
contribution TO tie personages implicated IN the
Grail legend. Utterly beWilcer!ng she must appear
20 the simple spectator Of the drama who observe
her in a different physical and spiritual aspect IL
each OF the three acts. Many chapters have been
written about the pathology as wei q psychology
of the character, and il has been found easy TO
keep her abreast with the most radical and fan
tastic concelts OF modern science. So far the
externals go. however there is need Of the
pother that Wagner's composite creature has called
forth. She is new only dramatic character;
otherwise she exists IN her dual capacity IN medi-
seval folk tales which related the Arthurian
romanCeS; ana, though the Gran messenger ana
the temptress OF the knights are Two different
creatures in the old epics which tell Of the quest
OF the Holy Grail, there is at least Olj English
ballad relating 2 hero Of the Quest VIII h might
easily have suggested the blending of the two
characters TO the poet-corposer. S.nguarly enough
far know. this fact has hitherto escaped
the notice Of Wagner's eypCunGers and analysts.
The ballad referred to IS THE Marriage Of Sir
Gawain,' which. with many additions and amend
snentz, Bishop Percy published fl his ''kellgues OF
Ancient English Poetry this tale OF adventure
King Arthur attempts the chastisement OF a gigan-
tic knight who lives in a magic castle, but IS
overcome by the arts OF the magician and forced
yield himself s vassal unless within q twelve
month he answer the question what IL IS that
women most desire. He seeks in vain throughout
his kingdom for answer until he meets hag in
the forest who promises TO tell him what will re-
deem him. provided lie promise to provide her
with one Of his knights husband. He prom
Uses. and is lifted OF his difficulties. but Of all
his knights Sir Gawaile alone is willing TO sac.i-
ice himself and marry the bag for his sake. And
small wonder, Tor this is what she looked like:
Thsn there as shola have stood her mouth,
T1le CHEZ was IN her f5rehead fast
The way that she might SEE
Her nose was crooked and turna outward.
Her mouth stood fouie awry,
Se a5ss 6al%s 5T a $6 a ss s s9s was
After the marriage Sir Gawaine attempts TO avoid
the oathly lady. but, she upbraidlag him. he turns
and looks upon her. 10 fad her the most beauteous
damsel he had ever seen Now she tests him again
Shall she appear IN the present by day
hdeous form By night, or vice versa? Sir Gawaine
first prefers have her beautiful by night but
being admonshei, tells her 10 have her own way
in the matter. and is rewarded by being told that
now, since he had given her her viii. she should
remain beautiful at all times.
TIN she SAT-, blessed he thou. gentle Gawaiae
THIS DAY that ] thee see.
From heacetorth vii lbs Be- ,-'"s
Tie lady had been beWitched by z steprnother
70 live in the forest in the semblance Of a nend.
The wicked knight was her brother who was also
under spell Both are restored TO physical end
moral health by Sir Gawaine's act, which, more
over, was in accordance with the answer which
lad achieved the release OF King Arthur: the
thing most desired by woman is to have her own
vii. Sir Gawane's lady is only one Of many proto-
types which Eurdry has IN folk tales. VINO are
released frcm wicked spells by the kisses OF hand
some princes the fidelity OF husbands and the PEI
Torrance OF tasks OF various kinds. Wagner may
no; have read the old English romances. but he
came upon the essential elements Of the scene OF
farsifals trial IN the garden OF Kliugsor in
the epics which he unQuestionably read. and
there found the hero Of the adventure 10 be the
identical Gawa!ne who married the loathly damsel
But the flower maideus. IN this case were all
oanlsels resting under a wicked spell However.
II Is doubtful II Wagner thought OF these things.
or him there WAS metal more attractive In myths
and legends dealing with philosophical and re-
hglous conceptions. The Hindoo doctrine Of re-
Incarnation offered him aluring opportunity to
compound has strange heroine OF a many elements
as his imagination could conjure up his memory
recall Gurnenanz suggests to Of the inGuIsIuye
young esquires IN the first that # possible
Nhat ANnufy had committed 4 sin ia d former state
O. existence which she was seeking to atone for
py DONG good in her present state. Here We have
statement OF the doctrine in the abstract. When
AA!ngsor invokes her IN the second act he is specific
had concrete He summons her under names that
O r1rfk-i eki hg * Ina