The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-09
THE GOTHAM ssPARSIFAL" FAILS
TO PLEASE TRUE WAGNERITES
Fraue Interesting Comparison
ried Production Those Solemn Atmosphere
Of BayreuthToo Great Cast
of Singers Ss
BY ANNA r.. scHoEN-RENE.

I When Richard Wagner bestowed
exclusively upon his beloved Bayreuth
the priceless legacy Of sParsifal," he
was not actuated by any vain orSsel-
fish motives. This opera was his ia
Vorite child, adored reverenced, and
the thought of having it. produced un-
der any but ideal conditions, tore his
heart. At Bayreuth he could control
the production Of "Parsifal," abso-
lutely. In that Bavarian: town only
existed the peculiar operate atmo-
sphere and the possibility Of the
that was Wagner's ideal. But else
where, he knew that these conditions
did not obtain, and the thought of
'ParsifaI under any but ideal condi-
tons was torture to him. If he was
to give the world the best, let the
world come and receive the gift under
the best conditions. Let the world
know of ''Parsifal' as given at Bay
reuth and let them, as pilgrims of old,
journey thither where all was in ac-
cord. Let them come, free from care,
to this little town whose very atmo-
sphere breathes purity and solemnity.
and thus be in the proper frame of
of the opera. Gould one step from,
the gaiety, and frivolity of New York.
into the solemnity of .'Parsfal" and
truly live and feel the agony of
human being striving amidst tempta-
lions and crime to live a life of purity
and slnlessness? Wagner thought not,
and thus he made the will which he
believed would make such a catas-
trophe impossible.
But the dearest wish of Wagner's
heart has been set aside, and the thing
he most dreaded has come to pass.
"ParsifaI' is now being presented in
New York-his ''ParsifaP' desecrated,
robbed of it's deep religious meaning.
1t is as tho an angel were shorn of
its snowy wings and flowing robes, and
set down before the glare of the foot
lights. abashed. in the 11abiliments of
the ballet dancer. : - =
But far from Wagner's ideals tho
the New York production Of "Parsi-
fal' may be, Herr Conred, the mana
ger, has arranged a production that
people from all parts of the country
wild to witness this wonderful per-
Torrance. even tho it will see but a
lame imitation of the Bayreuth pro-
auctions. Herr Conried realized that
something must be done to fill in the
gap left by the absence Of the religious
atmosphere of Bayreuth, so he has done
all in his power to make scenery atone.
But not the money lavishly spent, nor
the many rehearsals, nor the splendid
cast, can bring out the fine points of
the moral and music of this beauti-
full opera, in the exalted way that
Wagner's Bayreuth performances can
do. Wagner's productions and those
under the direction Of his widow, Frau
Cosima Wagner, appeal to the soul.
Conrleds performance appeals to the
eye. This is especially true in the
second act in the impressive scene be-
tween Kundry and Parsifal and also
In the prayer and the holy grail scene
in the third act +"
. The scenery is so beautiful, so like
fairy land, and the flower girls so bal
let-lil<e, that to view 1t sets the head in
Whirl and blinds the observer to the
fact that he has come to hear rather
than to see. The true Wagnerite has
put one recourse. If he wishes to
hear he must close his eyes
The cast of the opera is musically
the best / have ever heard outside
Bayreuth. Fraulein Ternina, as Kun
dry. role she has sung many times in
Bayreuth, is great artist whose dra-
matte feeling and genius, together
with her beautiful voice. express the
true spirit and nature. of -Kundry. :
Herr Burgstaller as Parsifal, is well
pearance. He rose easily to the
Heights Of the second act in his duet
with kundry, as did he also in the
third acr. In the last act he was too
heroic, too self-content and he posed
too much.
The Amfortas of Van Rooy was al
most perfection. His rendering of the
s1ug, Water schliesse die Wunde,"
was the most intense and thrilling L
nave ever heard. His voice is so full
OF sympathy, so rich in tone and so
ringing in quality that he may we'll be
taken as Il model for the singer who
has operate aspira tons.
Herr Blaas, as Gurnemanz, Is new,
in the role, but shows his voice to ad-
vantage.
The flower girl ensemble given by
SIX sololsts and a female chorus wa.
beautifully sung and acted. but with
too much ballet and operate action
The procession Of the knights of
the Holy Grail in the first and also in
the last act was spoiled by the lack Of