The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-13
At St. Paul Theaters

something of the rich beauty and dra-
matte intensity of Wagner's music
drama were conveyed to the audience.
70 watch Mr.. Damrosch conduct his
orchestra through the "Parsifal" music
that 1T plays is to be convinced that
ne accepts this last work of the Ger
man master without reservations. His
manner Is reVerent always, and his
expressive face, frequently turned to-
ward the audience as the music pro-
crosses, reflects the emotion that the
music portrayS. The New York Sym
phony orchestra as it appeared last
night on the improvfsed. stage in the
Peoples church is not large organi-
zatlon. 1t does not number more than
forty musicians, but these forty play
with that sweet accord which tells of
long and close association.
The orchestra presented last night
some OF the most beautiful of the
Pars1taP music, the rarely beautiful
prelude which introduces all the i'm
pOrtant themes of the music drama;
the professional march of the knights,
Amfortas' lament; the magic garden
music. Klndry's songS the Good, Fri
day spell and ParsifaPs return. With
the exception of the prelude the music
was played as an accompaniment, but
II was the orchestra, not the soloistS,
who commanded the audiences atten-
ton. &sr- i5s<3Si.5
The Good Friday Spell" with violin
solo by David Names, was an ex--
qu1site bit of harmony. The intense
spirituality of this theme is f1ttingly
voiced by the violin, and, fortunately,
the instrument was played last night
by an artist. Mr.. Names, who is a
brother-in-l Of Mr.. Damrosch, has
talent, artistic intelligence and mu-
steamship of a high order. The voice
of his violin was a thread of gold that
cleaned Qntipin DIV Y1Cf aIi
web of orchestral melody
Although Nine. Mir Hardy's name
was on the programme, it was Mrs.
Bertha Harmon Force. of Minneapolis,
who sang the "Kundry' music last
night. Mrs. Forces voice is not par
t1cularly pleasing in quality, and she
sang Kundry's dramatic song in pas
sionless fashion that Knocked both the
words and the music Mr.. Archam-
bault, who sang the music of Am
fOrtaS, has a big bass voice. but he
sings with such rumble and grum-
BILE and roar that it was impossible to
tell last night whether the text was
German orr English. His singing is
absolutely devoid of artistic merit Mr.
Bedloe, the Parsifal, was the most sat
fsfactory of the soloists, but being
short and stout, he did not resemble in
outward appearance "the guilelesS
one" and, like the other soloists, he was
careful to avoid in his singing any
suggestion of dramatic intensity.
The local male chorus, which was
drilled for this concert by Mr.. Fair
clough, was very satisfactory The
choir boys of st. Johns church re-
vealed the melody of their voices in the
invisible chorus, but this chorus was
hardly subdued enough to produce the
proper effect
Not the least interesting part of last
nights entertainment was Mr.. Dam
rosch'S explanation and description of
"Parsifal" He told the story in the
same manner that he conducted the
orchestra, with reverence and sim
pIicity, and also with an artistic ap-
probation of its merits that impressed
the dramas significance upon all.
Faust was sang at the Metropoli-
tan last evening to "beggarly array
of empty benches" The general char
acter of the performances, the magnif1-
cent orchestral and chorus work, the
sumptuOusness Of the production,
might have been expected. That ST
Paul does not contain a sufficient
leaVen of intelligence to properly ap-
preciate and patrOnize an attraction
such as Mr.. Savage is offering in this
grand opera season is a distinct reflec-
ton on the town.
MuSically the performance was by
no means faultless. What honors were
earned went to Mr.. Boyle and Marsano
and they by no means covered
themselves with glory Miss Brooks
Marguerite was a colorless portrayal
She was in fair voice and sang true,
but altogether without spirit and the
force of her singing was lost.
Mr.. Wegener was unhappy in his
work. He has demonstrated that he
can sing, but he has also shown that
n &c nf 1opoTHoI0Io ioI,&
spoilt several scenes by actually
breaking down. His Faust was with
out warmth, his acting stiIted, his
voice ragged and woefully lacking in
sympathy.
Mr. Boyle, a fine robust Mephis-
topheles, sang with much spirit though
at times exhibiting more vigOr than
discretion. He has a clear conception
of the part and, quarrel as one will
with that conception, he is true to his
ideal.
Mr.. Marsano's Valentine, while not
a great portrayal, was fairly satisfac-
tory, being sang with fidelity and such
power as he is capable of.
Miss Newman was quite adequate
as SiebeL. --
But the entire performance was re-
deemed, made something to remember,
by the magnificent chorus work and
the consistently great performance of
the orchestra. The rendition of the
march was beautiful, arousing the au-
dience to a pitch of enthusiasm that in
some measure compensated for it's
slender numbers.
This afternoon Puccini's 'Tosca"-
the most pretentious work in the rep
ertOry of the company, will be sang,
and this evening Faust" will be re-
peated.
William Faversham will be the at
traction at the Metropolitan opera
house Thursday evening in Lord and
Lady Algy.' Mr. Faversham revived
this popular play during his New York
engagement. and it's success was so
great as to induce Charles Frohman to
continue it for the remainder Of the
season. In the role of the bibulous,
sporty Lord Algy, Mr.. Faversham is
seen at his very best, and his perform
ance is one of the real dramatic treats
of the year. Mr.. Faversham has an
exceptionally strong supporting COM
pany, in Guiding Miss Julie Opp, the
beautiful and talented American ac-
tress who has won important recogni-
ton in London, as well as in this coun- I
try. This engagement, of Miss Opp
marks her return to the stage after a
retirement to private life of one year.
The dramatization of Charles Ma
jor's dainty romance of chivalry of the
sixteenth century, when Knighthood
Kyo ~, will he InI Of ba