The sun., 1909-01-23
WAGNER'S "MEISTERSINGER"
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE OF
THE OPERA.
presentation Jnitins GOOD singing with
Intelligent stage anagement-Csri
.joern Makes His Debut rs waither Won
stoIhng-A Alfred Hertz Conducts Wen.

Intelligent stage anagement-Car
Joern Makes His Debut as WaIther v on
stoihng- Alfred Hertz Conducts Wen.
Wagners Die Meistersinger' was per-
formed at the Metropolitan Opera House
last night before one OF the largest audi
ences of the season. Not only was II a
large audience, but il was also a very
happy one. The performance was in
many respects one OF the most satisfying
that has ever been given In the Metro
politan Not that any newcomer in the
cast efaced cherished memories OF their
predecessors, but because Of the beautiful
and truthful spirit in which the opera
was approached and the charm OF the
result Die Meistersinger' has often
been we'll given at the Metropolitan and
most Of the principal Ioles have been bet
ter sung than they we're last night, yet in
he presentation under consideration
there we're excellences which have un-
fortunately been too often absent.
II would be idle to try TO enumerate
the details in which the performance was
60 admirable. Those who know and love
this work are we'll aware that it's demand
for perfect union of enunciation OF the
text with artistic delivery OF the music,
an absolute accord Of the lyric phrases
With the action and complete coopera-
tion Of all the elements that enter into the
constitution OF musical drama is as
imperative as it is in any other Of Wag-
ners creations. and far more so than 1t
s in some Of them
b \ failure to achieve a delicate ADJUST
mont of any one factor to all the others
means failure to deliver the message
OF the scene. II has been in shortcomings
Of this kind that previous performances
have too often been conspicuous. some
times the chorus in the street fight at
the end of Act H. has stood still and sung.
sometimes it has vigorously enacted the
tight and not sung. Sometimes the good
hurphers' wives have been awakened
from their sumbers and appeared at the
windows in nightcaps but have not dis
charged their choral duties. Sometimes
they have not appeared at all.
Last night as an example Of what was
accomplished, the whole crescendo of
the second act finale from the opening
Of Sdchs's window to stop the would be
eiopers vas built up with most admirable
skill, 80 that when the last tender strains
Of the orchestra we're sung before the
silent moonit street the wonderful effect
designed by Wagner was revealed, and
old Nurnberg. trembling with her own
beauty, lay bare To the heart as well as
To the eye,
so too the development OF the first act
was carried out with high skill and the
curtain fell on n scone of general satis-
faction. The conductor. Alfred Hertz,
and all who were concerned in arranging
the stage business, tho scenery and tho
lights must be thanked for the general
fitness Of the various features of the rer-
forinanCo The conductor. however. must
Iva again thanked for the admirable
phrasing. balance and continent tone Of
the orchestra.
There were several new representations
and one first appearance, that of Carl
.Iorn as Wdlher ron Stoitm1. MIR Jorn
IS young tenor who will not create any
sensation but will probably prove 10 be
pleasant Acquaintance. His voice is
eral'. lyric in character, fresh and un- /
worn. His tone production has fault
common among German tenors, that Of
placing all the sounds too far back. Put
Il. ran get bis tones forward quite often
and when he does they are very agree
shle. He sang the part in.ellgently, !
though without giving a very romantic
impression. He treated the purely con-
,srsstional narts in the brittle staccato
STYLE which has the august approval Of
Nsbnfried.
NrFeinhals ia an admirable Hans SdcIs. |
Pc understands the role and he knows
hor to convey his conception to the /
audience. He sang the music beauti- /.
frnv last NIGHT and NJ, the whole made