New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-12
MUSIC.
"PARSIFALo AT THE OPERA.

Wagners "Parslfal' is not yet quite q repertory
opera at the Metropolitan Opera House, though
this season the cost to hear and il is only haIf
what 1t last year and during the memorable
when it's production stirred the musical world
to its centre Yesterdays representation was OUTSIDE
of the subscription. will be all the rest of the rep
reservations, far they have been announced
Regular opera prices at the Metropolitan are BAY
reuth festival prices. however, and so our operauo
institution may be said to have taken more step
toward similarity to the WagneTian Mecca IheEe
many points of likeness so far as Farsi-
far' is concerned. the most notable one being 1nal
which two years ago seemed the most dihncuit o.
attainment. Out of the skurrying life the rush
and roar of Broadway into the gilded lyric play
house is like plunge from one element INTO ca
other To expect mood proper to wagner ) SUI
drama seemed foolish two seasons ago. 70"
the drama created the mood. and yesterday iFo,i'
the moment when the solemn strains Of the pref
rde rose like incense from unseen ceilsefS Ao
the orchestra until the curtain closed upon ms %
scene the audience sat in awed silence intent GU
devout as If in truth the most impressive OF all
religious functions had been celebrated oeloio
and held It in the bonds of reverental awe
theatre in this or any other city has witnessed .
more complete and convincing triumph OF oIdili
art Under the circumstances it became a -
ton IF the drama~ought ever TO ne orous''- -
more intimate relationship with the routine plo
ductions of the opera house. "ParsifaI does nv
play upon the stage alone; it plays a1so w Wv
raised tmagnations and in the heaIls VI 10 =.
ditors; and if 1t is to remain what IL sum 40
New-Yorkers what it was. at least TO those PieS
ent at Yesterdays representation, 1t must % pHS
NOT for the ordinary rabble Of amusement seehel'
but for the elect-for those in Whom hlsn al -
arouse serious thought and deep feerns anu ~
are capable and willing that their lhtehee'0 W
emotions shall be stirred
rrbo concentration was beautiful and impress
siye one There were few technical ImSnaps
mar it. and spirit of lovely devotion lnluseu -
every part There no more peauCiu- s.ae
pictures to be seen anywhere than those -
make up the scenic investiture Of the drama a. ~
Nfa+ronoIiten Onera House. Yet the pictures Al
only a part Of the outward garment or the u &C
They I'LL the eye and delight It but theS uo NO.
seduce the mind from the real business Oh ING Oh"
work The play is still the thing, the play 30 ~
,nro1Is itself in speech, in action IN the maj
emotional language of music MI. fae1'~ alN 10
orchestra spoke this language with moving "
ouence last night. There were no crudlues o.
no falterng in utterance. The louoes' i
was not boisterous - "a
IneAabIe suffering was poignantly expressSu az
-, ta - o.riration SCARED heavenward seraQh-
,oa1,,- The 6ramatfo performers wers All 1ail'Ai
to those who had attended the represent -
last vear-Niss Fremstad as kundry' Nt' ''e
stalIer as Parsifal. Mr.. Van RooV as FHli ,
Nj BIass as Csurnemanz, Mr. Gorltn as hiILss
AS opponents of dramatic Defamation - "a
neria1 sense Messra Burgstaller, Van Itooy ~
C,oritz were the most notable IN me SoilisS -,
their song had always the distlncthess y
raised 70 a higher power through the inhue
,,eic Miss Fremstad made her proclamation by
means of potent action end beautiful delivery Q.
the music. IN the second act. pose, gesture auu
facial expression we're admirable she GOES not
vet give complete exposition Of wagner paia :
doxical and enigmatical creation me list o 80
-, 1cna ber horizon The Ioathly damseI ana
the ,emptress are still her distinct conceptions,
-. oriI. the second comes within the scope Oh hef
6nest movers But her representation IS ne1eL
theIess fine and noteworthy achieVtInene as+
sifal" has not lost its charm II IS lhelS ~ s
roverfrl spell over the serious lovers OF music
ana the drama before the season IS over