New-York tribune., 1909-03-28
''sIEeFRIED, AT THE METROPOLITAN.

There are certain lyric dramas IN the modern op-
cratic repertory that require so considerable and
we'll distributed exercise OF poetic imagination
for their adequate performance that TO present
them potently distinct triumph over human
limitations. One OF these is "Siegfried," which
was added yesterday at the Metropolitan Opera
House to the seasons list, and II is not necessarily
a severe reflection 70 say that IL was the linita-
tions Of voice style and temperament on the part
OF most Of its interpreters that must claim nrst
place in the record Standards that are cruelty
high attach themselves automatically TO the world
masterpieces. and there IS truth, no doubt IN
the contention that silence Is the logical ultlats
portion Of many a great play or opera 10 whose
traditions # Is scarcely practical to live up Sieg
fried. as acted and sung yesterday, and especalIy
as played by the orchestra under Mr. Hertz, held SO
much that was worth while that il may seem cap
tious 70 speak first Of its shortcomings Its faults
were inevitable, from the fact that they renecIed
the personal qualifications Of the singers ChleAS
disappointing the third act, with us gloTlIylns
music. and its moments Of exalted emotion Fele
the barriers in the path were plain. enough. MI
Brrrian whose second act had disclosed his delsn'
ful cearness and business Of enunclatlon MS lh.e
uEent phrasing and his undouoted earnestneSs, -e--
below the level Of absolute beauty and pIelIuue o-
voice proper to the young Siegfr1ed Inc WlIil7i
~ an awakened BrtinnhiIde must have had more
of both outward and inward charm tnan was ulS-
closed by the singer that represented MN
The note OF fresh youthfulness which ought 70
trarsAprre the hero Of this idyl Of the golden age
"A
sc+ Well 1oised and worldly wise was the Sleg-
fried that Nj Burrian FOR the most part portray e
and the result less than fortunate me 1---O
must he commended for refraining, until toward
the end. from forcing his voice. and there were
a,iso5es such as his touching delivery OF the eN-
oisite lines Of wonder and sorrow for his rotneE.
IN the shadow Of the forest trees. that brought
high pleasure. -
To match a Siegfrted Of inexhaustible buoyancy
and adorable tenderness there must be a Brunn-
ru5a IN whom are met both the heroic and the
softer qualities as expressed by look. gesture
and utterance Nine MOrena, who assumed '-7
mart Yesterday. lacked palpaLly the epic note
Superb as is her physique and lovely the picture
she makes 70 the eye there was surprlslls
s,aI1ess OF stvle IN her invocation 70 the sun ana
a weakness and tremuIousness OF voice IN rnucH
that she did Only at the last did sne thro" ii'o
her personaton the power that raised II 10 rs U u7
ae7ofancv There was not enough iron III Ile
-ar5erer Of MI Sooner, and the mellow beauty OF
b,s tones did not attain its full effect because OIL
this absence Of the sterner stuff that should nave
been the underlying foundation Of the oarSto
characterization.
7, NINE Homer's singing OF the music Of Erda,
t,.,.ar there was happy uulcn Of luscious vocal
tear+,. and abundant strength, while the Aoerleh
~ Mr. Gortz was mOrdant enough 10 susseS' '--7
sordid tragedy of the black dwarf N an Us 7li'
rase Nothing in the entire performance yesterday
was more admirable than Mr.. RelsSs IaIlll.ial
,rIr,a which had touch OF magic in 1t from hrst
~ last Neither the Bird nor the Dragon uisV'ii-
suished itself vocaly, as represented uS 'Iie -.
Miss SDarkes and Mr.. Hinckey. II IS Pled71'
~ record the inspiring playing OF the orchestra ana
the capital management Of the scenery ana OF lne
footed Dragon. The large audience was a.
rnonstrative and the conductor MI HERTZ u7
served his share Of the applause
7, che evening at the Metropolitan. NassenetS
..Nfaron" was performed. with Miss Aida as tHe
teroina and Mr. J0rn as the Chevalier des Gr1euN-
4 light having dawned on the management sl'ice
in the early part of the season mere vas I ,e..,
,,,. T., +alk not only OF abolshins reduced
Drices on Saturday evenings but OF raising tns
regular price on subscription nights on oaslS OF
3 FOR orchestra stalls. there was return 10 tne
old scale Of popular PRICES. which maze 'he I
~ -, ,rb,, II should ever have been thought
thar lie Will" with Miss Aida. was once IhousiiI
70 he worth s. a seat an extra night ana SO
much more beautiful opera as "Manon no"
onIv g. But opera is just now passing through d"