New-York tribune., 1908-01-16
THE GERMAN THEATRE.
"Goetz Won Berlichingen.

The production at the German Theatre last night
Of Goethes 'GCetz Won BerhcEingen was an
event of more than ordinary interest, since 1t IN
volved the presentation for the first time in Amer
lea OF that well known but rarely acted play and
testified most emphaticalIy the purpose OF the
new management of the German Theatre to main
tain a repertory which will appeal to the most IN
telIigent and cultivated class of theatregoers Dr.
Baumfeld shows courage in venturing to set so
high a standard and in expending so much money
and effort in furnishing adequate settings
and adequate Interpretation for classical plays oy
German, Spanish and English writers. He is doing
a work of education, which this community needs
should certainly appreciate. very large audi
ence last night showed becoming enthusiasm over Il
representation of painstaking thoroughness and
great beauty. the picture presented of German ma
diaval life being altogether picturesque and con-
vincng. The piece might be described q series
pictures from the life and times of Coetz
Berlichingen rather than as dramatic ex-
position OF any single adventure attributed to him
AS q series of episodes however. it gives vivid
portrayal of medieval conditions in Southern Ger
many
piece like "Goetz' could not be produced
without surrnounting many difficulties. 1t ex-
cessvely long before Goethe reduced 1t TO its pres
ent form in his published works and it is long
enough for performance OF IT to fill two evenings
At wemar Goethe himself tried the experiment of
cutting IL into two parts and presenting each
separately But such an expedient would not be
popular and DR.. Baumfed has wisely prepared
q version which greatly congresses the action of
the piece and allows it to be played in about four
hours. Because Of the diffuseress of the unscis-
sored play and the innumerable changes OF scene
which it requires such a condensation serves the
good purpose of clarifying the plot and concen-
tratfng the too scattering dramatic interest.
It would require too much space TO give here
full outline of the play either as condensed or as
a1npIifed. Goetz Won Berlichingen was an his
toricaI character, a type of the independent, Chi
vaIric knight in the period when feudaIisn
breaking down. The higher mobiles and the clergy
were increasing their power and restricting the
action of the knights. who stood out for isola-
ton and subordination to no other authority than
the Emperor's- Goetz something of free
booter and q nercenary soldier, but his ideals OF
personal honor and integrity were high, and he
would not stoop TO the underhanded methods in
war and politics which he saw being introduced
at the small courts arising everywhere in Ger
many
He is estranged from a boyhood friend. who has
drifted off into the service Of the Bishop Of Bonn
berg Goetz's bitter enemy This former friend.
Weislingen. he captures and holds for ransom. but
when Weislingen declares his love for Goetz's sis
ter Maria, he is freed without hesitation and the
old friendship is renewed and cemented. Weislin-
gen moral weaklng, goes back TO the bishops
court, is fascinated by a scheming and ambitious
court beauty. AdeIheid Won Waldorf breaks his
word to Berlichingen's sister and turns Goetz
and conspires to ruin him by charging him with
various crimes and getting the Emperor 10 order
his capture The valiant knight IS beSleged
and surrenders parole, which the imperial
forces break. He is then imprisoned and is
about TO be tried. when he is rescued and
returned to his castle. A peasant revolt occurs
and the peasants force Goetz to be their temporary
leader. He consents unwillipsly, and only in the
hope of restraining them from pIunder and arson.
He soon ouarrels with his peasant followers and is
finally wounded and captured by the imperial
forces soon after dying in captivity of his wounds
His treacherous enemy, Weisiingen is poisoned by
the woman for whom he broke faith with Maria,
and she in turn is executed by secret order
organized 10 punish secret crimes.
The drama Is, a whole, loosely constructed ana
lacks unity and concentration. 1t is interesting
more perhaps, from the literary than from the
dramatic side for in it Goethe bade defiance to
the French traditions of classcalism and Journalism
and opened the way for The development Of the
romantic school in German literature. 1t also
breathes some OF the political unrest of the time
in which it was written-just before the French
Revolution-in its contrast between the feudal
knight rude and vigorous, but with high ideals OF
honor and responsibility 10 his retainers and sup
porters and the crafty and selfish forces which
were conspiring get power to use it for purposes
of oppression.
Last nights performance was so even and cred
liable that invidious TO single out any
perforrner for special note. But both Hedwig
Reicher and Ella Hofer excelled themselves
FrauIein Hofer as Maria furnished a treat to eye,