The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-30
"SIEGFRIED" SUNG AGAIN.
ADMIRABLE PERFORMANCE
AT THE METROPOLITAN.
Mr.. BurrIan Appears for the First Time rs
the Young Hero and Nine. Fleischer-
Edel rs BruennhIlde-The Increased
Orchestra Proves VaIuabIe Acquisition

the Young Hero and Nine. Fleischer-
Edel as BruennhIlde-The Increased
Orchestra Proves a Valuable Acquisition
Like a thunderbolt out Of a clear sky
Wagner's "Siegfried" fell into the midst
of a gentle matinee audience at the Metro
politan Opera House yesterday afternoon.
II was a capital performance of the scherzo
Of the great a Ring" symphony. 1t had
some shortcomings, but they were not OF a
nature to detract from the general effect
Of the presentation. The spirit OF Wagner
was in the house and the audience was
touched by it.
Three notable characterizations CEN
tralized attention, while the orchestra,
increased for this work, "a it will be for
other Ring" presentations, to n~inety-six
players, contributed a great share to he
uplifting natur Of the afternoons pro-
ceedings. Mr.. Burrian's Siegfried, dis
closed to New Workers for he first time;
Mr.. Reiss's Incompatible Mime and Mr..
Van Rooy's admirable Wdnderer formed
a trio of imposing excellence.
Mr.. Burrian is a person Of prosaio counte-
nance and unpoetio figure, but his vocal art,
backed by a remarkably good conception
of the part, triumphed over these obstacles.
n Tuuo, uHCOuJu, NlBOTOuS - IoVIft'u was
this, developing by imperoeptible stages to
the passionate lover OF the final scene. In
action Mr.. Burrian was fairly free and in the
forest scene unexpectedly picturesque.
He sang his music correctly, with most
musicianly phrasing, and with appreciation
OF the textual meaning. His forging OF the
sword, virile and declamatory, was strik-
ingly c~sntrasted with his delicate, subdued
and finely varied treatment of the woodland
s~oliloquies.
Mr.. Reiss's Mime, which seemed a year
ago to have reached the summit of posi-
bility, has actually improved. 1t was a
wonderful i~mpersonation yesterday. Mr..
Van Rooy's Wotdn was quite up TO its usual
level, and Mr.. Blass's FGfner was splendidly
rich and sonorous in tone. Nine. Rappold
had a little mishap with her voice at the
second entrance of the birds music, but
otherwise she sang 1t passably. Her con-
tribution to the performance, however,
was not eminent. Mr.. Goritz was a good
ALberich, and Nine. Kirkby-Lunn, except
for one unfortunate high note, sang Erdd
beautifully.
Nine. Fleischer-E del, the BrgnnhiLde,
was reused from her slumbers a little before
5P. M. So far as she was personally con-
cerned il was a happy ava kening, for her
impersonation Of the reduced Nalkyr
was the best tn ng she has done here. 1t
was not an ideal Interpretation, for Nine.
Fleischer-Edel has neither the voice nor
the art to cope with the more difficult pas
sages in this short but formidable part.
But her singing had moments Of tonal
beauty, and all of IL was inspired by a warm
feeling for the thought of the scene, which
was also not ineptly bodied forth in her
acting. She was a BrinnhiLde not great,
but certainly very acceptable.
A word has already been sal d for the
orchestra, hut another is deserved. The
players filed the auditorium with a rich,
noble body of tone, mellow, solid, homo
geneous. The color scheme was good and
the dynamic range wide. Mr.. Hertz con-
Quoted not only with his customary en-
thusiasm, but with unusual discretion. The
opera last night was l. Boheme," with
Bessie ABBOTT as Mimi-a different sort of
Mimi from that of the afternoon, which
may be distinguished by its large wig, it's
cracked voice and it's final +. Miss ABBOTT
has sung the role here before and was kindly
received. Mr.. DIPPED was the RodOlfo.
Miss Abott was in good voice and sang her
music excellently, and at the same time
looked the part. Mr.. DIPPED is always an
intelligent performer. The other members
of the cast we're famiiia- in this opera.
At the Manhattan Opera House -Rieo-
letto" was given in the afternoon and Aida"
in the evening. Mr.. Hammerstein's pro-
duction of the latter opera has pleased the
public and last night the house was packed
to the doors.