Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-13
PLAYS AND PLAYERS
Continued from Page SKI

tphh AoSV 5AA'J
souls call me an iconoclast. but here, In
this great work, The Ring of the Nibel-
ings," which l have studied for years and
thought deeply and earnestly on, l have
pursued the great master. Richard Wagner,
and now l am constantly pursued by his
great influence. He has gotten a grip on
me which is lasting. l see his meaning,
after years of faithful study, and l see in
it the music which all men shall copy, but
shall not attain, the philosophy which has
found such glorious expression through
such music that the world will be many
years older before it shall grasp it. To hear
Wagner is one thing; to know him is an
other. He is. no longer a cult he is a
Reformation with everything which that
implies.
Any one of the composers could have
written the Bridal Chorus from 'Lohen-
grim" or the Song of the Evening STAR
from "Tannhaueser,' or even the Prize
Song from the "Meistersingers," but only
one, the immortal, phenomenal, illustrious
Richard Wagner could have written THE
Ring of the NibeIungen.'' This great master
has made me ashamed of myself. Oh, how
foolish, how senseless, the little chickering's
and troubles and factional fightlets and
silly. childish squabbles Of method, and
musical CRITICS ms and opinions Of this voice
and that technique when you stand before
the dazzling light of that great spirit, |
20 not wish "for wings like a dove that /
might fly away and be at rest. building me
a nest in the wilderness but | wish for
health, length of days, wisdom, enthu-
siasm, courage, support and endurance to
do my share-wherever | am placed. how
ever am situated-in bringing people, even
the few, to a realization Of what the
greatest gift Of God to Internationally
means. ! want to quit playing with paper
boats on the pool which the last tide has
LETT In a small rock, and get out into the
full tide Of the ocean of the great Art.
If, to be overwhelmed and inspired by a
Man in this way, is being a "faddist,
then, by all means. let ms be a "faddist."
Nothing else is worth while.
Omaha offers just as good opportunity as
many other places for serious work. and
when | return to Omaha, shall make a
great effort to do something for It's credit
And my inspiration viii have been In,
Ring OF the Nibe;lngen," by Richard
Wagner, as presented IN Munich. As Cd
the theater Itself. II is a model and idea.
place for great productions.
The "Prinz-Regenten Theater" Princc
Regent theaterI, is a magnificent structure
externally and internally. Its broad ap.
proaches on the outside have a grand sweeI
and its surroundings are most harmonious
Inside You find a rising floor of seats
one floor. each seat a good one, aud NJ
posts or pillars TO obstruct the view. Tn,
boxes are all in the rear, and the side.
where upper boxes usually are found, ar,
given over to artistic recesses with urn
like ornaUents; all around Is a bas-relie
frieze Of figures gracefully displayed il
various attitudes, above the recesses; IN
entrances are all from the sides, severa
entrances on each side, where the lowe
boxes are ordinarily situated; each en-
trance Is guarded by a uniformed usher
who directs you to your seats, or rattle
TO the row in which your seats happen L
be. Th decoration is IN the most ex
quisltely chastc balancing of grey and gold
with the exception Of The ceiling, which /
richly but quietly arrsyed in colors; In
orchestra is entirely hidden from view. an
the space for the players is very commu
d'ous. TIE lights are all extinEuished sew
eral seconds before the first note Of IN
overture or prelude or "Vorspiel'
sounded. and no disturbance through lat
entering Is even thought Of. The effect q