New-York tribune., 1905-12-23
MUSIC.
"Goetterdaemmerung at the Opera

The concluding drama of wagners NioeIhns
tragedy had its first representation at the Metio-
politan Opera House last night IN the alstIIpu.iV
OF parts the performance was practically duPHCa-
tion of those of last season except that Mr. knots
appeared in the character of the mature Segtrleu.
Nine Nordca enacted the role of Brdnnh1loe' anu
will do so again next week. when, for the nrst uae
in a long course OF years, the various portions OF
the trilogy will be brought together IN close
sequence. Last night. "Gotterdammerung" being
presented independently and without regard to us
companion dramas Nine. Nordica disturbed no
Illusion. Next week it will be different MISS
Walker will go sleep the disohedient Falkyrla.
Miss Weed will receive Segfried's awakening KISS
and Nine Nordica Will mount the pyre IN explation
CT the sins OF gods and men and bring the tragic
tale to its conclusion. This is one OF the peIlatleS
which must be paid If the three dramas and thelr
prologue are to be crowded into single week IL Is
pitiable. but Bayreuth makes no effort to pre-
serve the identity OF artists and characters One
thing which might be reasonably asked. however
is that the stage pictures which occur in each OF e
three dramas remain unchanged Even ehal ooon
has been denied to us thus far.
1t is a recommendation that has often been
made and never acted on that the N1belung dramas
be subjected to thorough renovation ana stuuy
from the bottom up There were indications !as'
night pointing TO the possibility tnal Some ne"
study had been given to the music IN prepai@
ton for this seasons representations Inc
dously spirited male chorus Of the second acr'
,ts greeting to C1nther and its characterlsticoly
Teutonie epithalamiuul. went superoiy laSl .,'
But there is disregard for the dramatic proP1eties
which seems to be deeply rooted. ana which. t'i4
It is ren1eded will forever stand in the way oL lL
full effectiveness of even this most hulnah ms
picturesque, most pathetic and most eHeeHve
the Nibelung dramas. Wagner is IN a sau -. iu- a.
the METROPOLITAN Opera House: neither gooo slSIIS
on the part of individuals nor fine stage Id
rnents will save him. - u.,,..
Herr Knote sang his music with adIairaoe e 80.
and art last night putting to his creolI lhe o..
work that he has accomplished this season.
even he might we'll reflect on the declaniaton VI
many OF the lines and the need of suirlng tAe Aco
not only to the word but also the orches'aG~ S-
phrase Nine Nordica began the evening W., W.,
some signs of reserve. but toward the close pout
out the opyIent beauty Of her voice without SUI
Nine Horner's presence in the cast mace poss1Oi9
q retention of the scene between Waltrahle ahu
Brtinnhilde before the proxy-wooing OF the VatAS
ria and it was done by Mesdames Homer ana +So'-
dica with considerable effectiveness MI Blass has
worked out a sound conception of the sinister roio
Of agan and emhodies that conception wen IN song
and action Others in the cast were MISS Neeo aS
C-utr1,ne Bella Alten. Paula Ralph ana MISS piut-
ford as the daughter Of the Rhine and MI Slul'-
mann as Guntner. Mr. Hertz conducted aAo"lns
much rudeness at times, but also imnulng some u
the scenes with real poetic expression IL T. u