The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-20


it will not be questioned. The regret is
that Birmingham could not have the com
pany for several nights instead of one
night only.
Those music lovers who have heard
the Metropolitan Opera House company,
with its chorus of festival proportions
and its great symphony orchestra, to say
nothing of its famous principals, and
criticised adversely the Savage produce
ton, must not forget that the Metropoli-
tan prices are five times greater than Mr..
Savages prices. Comparisons in this case,
are, indeed, altogether unfair.
Regarding last nights performance
Miss Jean Lane Brooks as Elizabeth;
William Wegener, as Tannhauser, and
Arthur Dean as Wolfram were not only
equal to their parts but in some of the
scenes they revealed exceptionally fine
artistic quality. The best voice in the
company was Mr.. Deans baritone. 1t
was rich In quality and was never off
the pitch. But in the matter of enuncia-
ton, Interpretation and acting Mr..
Wegener was, perhaps, the more salts
factory. His general conception of the
title role was scholarly and his clmaxes
were always fine. His song to "profane
love- in Venusburg could not well have
been better and his scene in the Land
grave 3 CASTLE with bllZdDeln was SlnRu-
larly strong.
Miss Brooks has a clear musical voice,
and her smooth vocalization is the result
Of careful training. In appearance she
made an almost ideal Elizabeth, and her
singing of Elizabeth's prayer was the
gem of the evening. This song, so full
of tenderness and love and Christian
faith, was rendered so sympathetically
that 1t played upon the heart strings and
brought tears to many eyes.
Mr. Deans song Thou Star of Eve"
with which every music-lover is famil-
lar. was admirably delivered.
Miss Sherwood and not Miss Miss Rita
Newman, had the Venus role, and Miss
Wall filled the part of the Shepherd boy,
which, according to the programme, was
assigned to Miss Sherwood.
The chorus was handsome and It in
cluded many good voices. The sopranos
and altos surpassed the male voices. In
strength, colo. and information the
womens voices were wonderfully fine,
and but for a few ragged places on the
part of the male singers in the tour
nament of song In the second act the
entire ensemble was highly creditable.
The familiar Pilgrims chorus was
greatly enjoyed and so too, was the grand
march chorus. Hail, Bright Abode!"
The opera was cut here and there as
is nearly always the case in long works
For instance, the ballet, or more strict
IL speaking the bacchanalian dance
which belongs to the Paris edition, and
which enlvens the first scene, was omit
ted and nearly all of the Venus music
was cut out.
The orchestra was composed of twenty
five performers, most of them accomplish
ed musicians. but an orchestra of twenty
FIVE is not adequate to a Wagneriar
opera. The wood-wind choir was COM
pete and the brass choir was almost full
and a string choir to play against the
brass would have required at least a
dozen more men.
Elliott Schenek welded the baton and
his conducting displayed all the essen
tials of leadership and revealed a poet
musicians temperament.
The audience was appreciative but moi
very demonstrative. 1t can be safely said
however, that If the Savage company
were to repeat Tannhauser here next
week. the Jefferson would be agar
crowded.