New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-25
MUSIC.
The First metropolitan "Parafdl.

A day OF Thanksgiving IS not a good day for me
presentation Of lyric drama which deals win
austerities penance. fellow suffering and renuncl-
alton All other theatres. where the Joys or living
we're SET forth in wisdom or in folly. were crowded
last night but the first performance OF 'Parsifal
at the Metropolitan Opera House made IT'S nrst
record of failure popular attraction however
much Of popular folly there may have been in the
frenzy OF last year the Indifference displayed yes
terday only be depored; for It was parucu-
Iarly beautiful representation which the drama re-
ceived-a performance in which all the mechanism
of the play moved with extraordinary precision III
which nearly all Of the weaknesses. which seemed
scarcely 70 cali for record last year, though theE
were noticeable enough. corrected. and In
which features were introduced which CREAMY
heightened the solemn beauty Of the drama. he
sides all this. Il performance when intro
duced Nine Nordica whose admirers are legion, IN
g new role. Yet the audience room was barely
two-thirds full The contrast between this and
the sAnsa touaI incidents Of last season might FUR
nish forth o text for a disqusition with divisions
running into the fortethlies; but a multitude of
considerations prompt restraint This Is period
Of rejoicing not of Iamentation or reproach.
Yesterdays cast was practically that Of last
season. except that Nine. Nordca replaced Mime.
Ternina and Miss Weed in the part of hundry.
Mr.. BurgstaIler again the hero. Nh Van
Rooy. Amfortas: MI. Blass. Gurnemanz; Mr.. Cor
itz Kiingsor, and NJ. Gourmet, Titurel. There
were few changes in the personnel OF the chorus
OF howermadens. bat here the general effect
rather than individual enort Is matter Tor con-
sideration. AS a matter of fact in this drama
WAGNER wrought the most exquisite finish of de-
tail that he ever ACCOMPLISHED. and so. while
noting the excellence OF the principal performers II
is a, pleasureable duty lay a wreath at the feet
OF the little lady. unnamed. who acted as grail
bearer. for her lovely conception OF her duties;
her obvious devotion to gracious duty: her sim
cerity. and her pretty Elasticity The choruses in
the temple all better sung than last
year, though there undue vociferaJion in
the choir which occupies the middle distance
in the cupola. The boys and women in
the EXTREMIST heights simply seraphic.
Mr.. Hertz's new arrangement OF the
chestra proved highly advantageous to the
performance OF the music. and his reading OF
the score has been mellowed by study and expe-
rience. That he cannot attain the moving mys-
tcisro which the most marked characteristic of
the Bayreuth performances is largely due
terna1 conditions which are beyond his control The
Metropolitan Opera House is no Bayreuth Festspiel
haus, and the Metropolitan orchestra no Bayreuth
orchestra. But all that unqualified zeal and
questioned devotion accomplish done. So
ances, are concerned, the nveiiest praise of last
season be repeated with emphasis. BurgstalIsr
Van Rooy and Goritz never were better. and BIass
though phlegmatic always, gratfyingIy
tuncful and crotund OF voice. for Nine Nordica,
II is only fair 10 reserve detailed discussion till
there is time for 1T, when. mayhap. the constraiat
that was obviously imposed her by the newuesS
OF her undertaking and also by the cold from which
she plainly suffering may disappear. Yet this
much m Il be said: 1t effort which be-
tokened study outside OF the musical score.
which qutvered with eaTnestness and which and
anon sent magnetic impulses through the listeners.