New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-29
WAGNER'S "PARS|FAL"
The Annual SOIemnity at the
Metropolitan.

"PaTsfal' had its annual THANKSGIVING
representation at the Metropolitan Opera
House yesterday afternoon under circum-
stances very like those which have taken
place on the national holiday regularly
during almost a decade. A year from now
and al least a score Of the largest lyric
theatres in the world will be busy pre-
paring the work for production. London,
Paris Berlin. Vienna, Madrid and other
capjtals will be agog with the excited
curiosity which prevailed in New YORK
nine wears ago. when Mr. Conried an
nounced his purpose TO achieve his ms
toric rape of the great modern miracle
play Then, perhaps, Germany VIII ne
ready TO admit that New Nork mas AT
least been a pious and faithful guardian
OF the pifered taisman. TIL no" an
ignorant and foolish prejudice mas pre-
vented confession Of that fact-Which
is of singular significance touching the
sincerity and the extent OF muslcaI curt
IRE in this community. Perhaps, too some
curious compiler of operate stdtsucs VIII
hit upon the discovery that the people Oh
the American metropolis have enJoyeu al
most as many performances OF the great
work as have the inner brotherhood
which has been compelled to make Pill
erimages to the Wagnerian Mecca in or
der TO acquire the same experience Wlthih
that period. and that. contrary 10 INC d
fected fear Of the house OF wagner anu
its retainers. the drama has suffered Ho
loss i'm dignity, solemnlty ana peau'''"'
impressiyeness from the fact that II n"S
been Incorporated in the repertory VI
theatre surrounded by the hurry anu ""'
a. - o vast CITY thousands Of miles re-
,,o,.ad from the ballowed precincts oil
Festival Hill. For this fact lei c''u.'
be given TO the institution in upper b'""'
vav and the spirit Of artistic reverence
which the work has inspired anu mann
,oirad tberc 'Parsifal" has created
pubIic every whit as capable oil appIt',-
atirc its solemn beauty as that Whl'n
makes the annual journey to BayPul"
and the representations at the Ne''ol 80.
tan opera House have given 'i'"'
as full and OVERLOOKING a measure u
q, ard as have those which II is Ih'
TON, of the German WagnerItes 10 S''
apart as saCrOsanct
Yesterdays audience was compose"
the same reverent fraction oil inc va
community that has heard all OIL the ''p
resentations Of "ParsiiaI since u ''"''N
90 no q sensation I'm New York. II was
numerous. though not so large as 'nd'
If subscription opera night Ns "'"-
trda was that Of almost religious worship
i,s attention akin TO plous devotion. II Is
doubtful if the few flaws IN inc W."
arca disturbed its lofty enjoyment 'o'
thare was too much in the way Oh ~.
Ieuce to compensate for ineHi. l"'
heightened interest which VIII come "'N'
wear from the liberation OF the WIN
through expiration of the copynG"I VIZ.
doubtless bring with II retresIIh'"' Vi
its scenic habilimcnts and Tes'u"s ~
tho score. Both are needed. II IS do""'-
rr1 bovaver whether the new perform
.,,cos will enlist a higher order OF meIiI
,Donr the principal performers thah i"'I
employed yesterday and on se\ola Vi va
occasions Immediately preceding. VIC
can scarcely hope for another representa-
rive Of I[uudry who shall be the peer vi
Nine. Fremstad, and though "" may
have Parsifal OF more impressive
tyne in appearance than Herr Burfiah We
shall probably wait long FOR one WIN
shall be his equal In voice and dTa"huc
song. Mr. Witherspoon Is growing stead
ily in musical puIssance, and In voice ana
dictiou was a delight 20 sense and sour
Yesterday. and be may yet atidih l" a
deeper understanding Of the tender anu |
varied humanness Of the character OF Ihr /
Seneschal GuruemauZ Gf the p.rds, may |
be usedl than he has yet disclosed 10. |
the admired bassO is stll ia the MIDST !
of his dramatic growth. successor 10 |
Herr We'll may restore some or lhS
tragic polgnancy which has been lacking !
i'm me interpreters Of the character OF |
Amfortas in late years. tn" sips mace I
.yest.rdpy in the Instrumental department, /
need not be dwelt upon, It's greatest nrei I
is dyuamic moderation. The proper baI, !
auce between the vocal and Instrumental
forces will never be attained IN the |
Wagnerian performances until IN" or |
chestra is hooded or restored 10 In" place |
which II occupied when the Metropolitan |
Opera House was built Meanwhile" the |
admirable Mr. Hcrtz's zeal would dis |
cover a channel profitable 70 'P1rSiiaI' |
and the Nlbcluug dramas II the WelI-inton- !
Toned conductor would tut once listen 10 |
his band from n better vantage ground |
than he occupies when IN action. As for |
the chorus. Il Is sadly Inv need OF regcnrE- |
II. II T. *