New-York tribune., 1910-11-25
MUSIC
"ParsifaI,' a Holiday Opera.

rr-ha Metropolitan Opera House eniovs the
.,--,,.,o distinction of being the onIv 1vrtc
80 in the world. outside of the wagner
tar.t,-a1 establishment in Ravren+b which
,,,,,,+v ..FarsifaT' in its repertorv The SOL
o,,,, nlsv has not yet been put into the
roo1,,ar subscription list, and is not likely
.oo~ m he Whether this should ba a mai
~ of rejoicing or of regret cannot easily
=. determined II the drama occunied 6
r,ece il, popular appreciation like that filed
~ anv one of Puccini's operas it is likely
49, Greater care would be spent unou the
nrenara tions for It's performance than
sa.,T7s 10 have been the case with vester.
ds,,.s representation. But "'Parsifal" has
had its own clientele ever since its first
senss tional season. and the management of
our opera house has deemed it best TO re-
serve II for special holiday production. This
would be wise. very wise. indeed, if a truly
festal character were given to every per
formance. 'ParsifaI" does not accommo-
date itself readily 10 the routine practices
Of even so admirable an institution as the
Metropolitan Opera House. Though it be
brought forward three or four times each
season. Il calls for study-serious, reveren-
tiai. afectionate study-from the bottom
principal singers in yesterdays representa-
ton had been seen and heard in their re-
sg,ective parts over and over again. There
Is nothing new to be added to what has
often been said of Nine Fremstads i'm
personauon of KunGFy, except an increase
expression of the admiration which it chal-
Ienges for its evidences of study which
seems TO have been as deep as it surely
exposition of the tituIar character be again
taken in review unless it be to praise again
the skill which enables him to overcome the
natural shortcomings which prevent him
from looking and acting the ideal hero.
For Sign0r Amato it must be said that
while his Interpretation of the supremely
difficult role of Arnfortas leaves many long
ings in the minds and hearts of listeners
To whom the language and the sentiments
of the drama are native. it brings to others
a sense of his devotion TO high ideals which
is highly honorable TO him
--ParsifaT' has created and held an ex-
traordinary clientele. The main floor of
the opera house was crowded yesterday.
the boxes, which are open TO the public.
fairly well occupied, and the attendance in
the upper regions was large. So much
which Wagner's solemn drama is held:
but there was more eloquent and convinc-
ing testimony in the attitude Of the audi
ence toward the performance. It was as
truly devotional as that of a congregation
al the most impressive of religious func-
tons. The greater, therefore. was the pity
that the moments of greatest soIemnlty
should have disclosed evidences Of decay
,111 IN
temple scenes were wofully inefficient and
there was a perfunctoriness about the
orchestra.s work which Mr.. Hertz's zeal
could not overcome or conceal. There
were slips in the stage management and
Illusions were disturbed by the bungling
WORK of the mechanics in charge of the
transformations and lighting Almost 1or
the first time "Parsifal" fell to the Level
Of the repertory operas which do not en-
list the special sympathy of the manage
rnent There was quickening OF the
s7iri+ in the scene between Parsifal and
the flower naidens IN the 5econd act; pu'
this is a scene which must be recreated
for every representation Of 1t Is 10 re-
tain the charm which belongs alone to the
Netropolitans production It throooeo
with exquisite vitality yesterday. and It's
pulsIng blood never Nes4Ne''ei -Oi q
Mr.. Witherspoou made his first essay yes
terday Of Gurnemanz. disclosing an admir-
able voice. and more than praiseworthy
diction in his performance Of trying
task. His voice has such excellent carry
ing quality that he needed not to have
addressed so many of his speeches to the
audience instead of the dramatic person
ages for whom they were intended, bu1
this was no doubt due TO the constrain'
imposed by a first attempt, as was also his
missing OF a cue at the end OF the first act