The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-21
FROM A MUSICAL STANDPOINT
Principals Were Fine, but Choruses the
Strongest Feature.

Ine PafSl1al music emDOOleS the
elimination of the Wagnerian theories.
At almost the close Of a long and strenu-
ously creative life, into this sacred festi-
val' play were crushed the distilled
emanations Of the musical thought Of the
greatest genius Of the last century, Not
always consistent, often erratic, contain
ing suggestions and repetitions Of themes
and melodies of the great operas that pre-
coded it, "Parsifal' fairly defies analysis.
With the possible exception Of 'Tristan,'
none Of the Wagner operas affords fewer
we'll defined melodies, in the ordinary ac-
ception Of the term, than 'Parsifal.'
Themes there are that pervade the opera,
weaving in and out into a perfect mosaic,
with a scarcely ceasing iteration that
sinks deep into the musical consciousness.
But the breath Of pure melody is exhaled
but seldom. "Parsifal," however, differs
from Tristan and some other Wagner
ian compositions in the frequent and
beautiful choral effects the composer in
PRODUCES.
From the moment the ."Vorspiel'' began
with its exquisite organ-like prelude un-
til the closing notes of the orchestra died
away after the last act. the audience list
ened with rapt attention. 1t was, how
ever, an attention divided between play
with it's absorbing interest, and the music
SO conceived solely with view of giving
the legend perfect expression. Undoubt-
edly the most beautiful parts Of last even
1ng'S performance were the chOruSeS.
There was little to choose between the
male portion, represented by the Knights
of the Grail, and the female, by the Flow
err Maidens. In both, the voices were ex-
quisitely fresh and sweet. The procession
al in the opening scene was rendered with
a, splendid breadth and dignity. In fine
contrast with this was the flower maiden
| chorus Of the third act, than which 1t
would be difficult to conceive Of anything
more alluringly bright and delicate. The
choruses of youths and boys voices in the
first act were also beautifully sung, in
| absolute pitch with perfect results.
Of the soloists, interest naturally cen
tered in the Kundry of Nine. Kirkby-
! Lunn and in the Parsifal of Alois Pen
| narini. Mr.. Savage, in selecting these
! soloists, evidently proflted by wide ex-
perience. To sing and act the role of
| Kundry adequately requires a versatility
and abundance Of musical and dramatic
| gifts that amounts almost to genius.
| Nine Kirkby-Lunn, in most particulars,
I is rema rkably good. She has a fine
meZzo voice we'll suited to the role OF
excellent timbre and wide range, the
singer uses it artistically and effective
| ly. This is especially true Of the more
| somber music of the first act. 1t is
| however, in the flower maiden scene that
she is least successful vocally. The ten
der seductive qualities Of voice so neces-
sary to the musical Interpretation the
| prima donna Stimulates but indifferently
The Parsifal of Alois Pennarini was
a most interesting creation. musically
His voice is clear and full of pure tenor
quality, but strong in the lower register
1 as becomes ParsifaL The flower
maiden scene and the following scene
with Kundry were especially artistic, al
tho affording the young knight of the
grail but few opportunities for musica
effect.
! GurnemanZ was sung by Putnam Girls
void and he won the solo honors Of the
evening for his splendid singing and dis
tinct enunciation. 'ParsifaP in Eng
lish' is of little value unless it can be
understood, and Mr.. Griswold added thai
charm to- his beautiful singing. His
voice is luscious mellow basso, which
he uses most artistically Johannes Bis
choff sang the role of Anfortas with
/ great dramatic fervor. His voice is E
vibrant barytone, powerful and resonant
and he sang very effectively. Homer
Lind as Klingsor was less successful, al.
tho adequate. The other soloists were
well cast unsteady.
Walter H. Rothwell conducted the per
Torrance and acquitted himself with dis
tinction. The work Of the orchestra wa:
in the main Of unusual excellence Ono.
or twice there was a slight lapse of at
, tention which somewhat marred its work
, Mr.. Rothwell is certainly deserving O
great credit for the results he secures.
Howard Boardman.