New-York tribune., 1913-11-28
Fairy Tales Presented for
Both GroWn-Ups and
Children.
"PARSIFAL' GIVEN AT
THE METROPOLITAN
"HanSel und Gretel' at the
Century Opera House
in English.

The contrast between "Parsifal" and
"Hansel und Gretel," which were the
operas presented at the Metropolitan and
Century opera houses yesterday afternoon,
was more apparent than real. The former
partook of the solemnity Of religious
function and was so received by com
pany OF people who obviously take their
music-some of their music. at least-most
seriously, and on special occasions devout-
ly. They were not disappointed in any
respect yesterday, for the first Of this
years representations Of Wagner's fes-
tival play was most admirable in all of
its features and wholly worthy Of the de-
vout spirit i'm which it was listened TO. Ii
is obvious that Mr. Hertz and his Ger
man colleagues continue to take a seri-
Gus view of art as represented by Wag-
ner. The orchestral music was superb.
ali the singing and acting fun OF dignity
and beauty. Her old admirers knew
what to expect Of Mime. Fremstadt. but
Mr. Jorn was not so seasoned in the titu-
lar role that his singing and acting could
he permitted TO pass without word OF
special praise. largely prompted by sur
prise Messrs. Witherspoon. Well ana
Goritz in parts with which they have been
long identified. again challenged approba-
ton; but il was the ensemble that made
the occasion "A notable one and did much
a. thou
sands are eager to hold as To the SUI
preme position Of the Metropolitan opera
House among the lyric theatres of the
world.
If II is possible 10 question the appro-
priateness of "Parsifal' as an opera Tor
performance on festival Of popular re-
joicing there could be mono "a to "llansel
und Gretel" which was performed at the
Century Opera House IN English. Hun
dreds Of children greeted it with loud ex-
pressions Of delight. just as they would
have done had it been performed at the big
playhouse on Broadway. To the careless
il seemed very different indeed from
"Parsifal" but to the knowing the con-
junction disclosed very lovely and IN
teresting intimacy. In Humperdincks
fairy play they found Wagner theory
and practice carried forward with serious
consistency and into n delightful field
from profound religious symbolism into
the fairyland Of childrcu's dreams. Tho
play ought to accept an English dress
with complete grace. but. as matter or
fact. there is a good deal Of ingenious
Teutonism in il, which dehes literal trans
lation. and which Mr.. Aborn's people VIII
never be able 10 give out TO the publ,
until they learn 20 sing and act as chill
dren in the world Of artistic fancy would
sing and act They DO not need better
voices. nor more dramatic SKIN. but only
more sincerity. All this is equally true
Of all concerned in the Performance
Miss Chandler OlanseD. Miss Carson
CGreteD. Miss Latham Gertrude. Miss
Howard (Thc NitchJ and MI Peacock
CPeterJ. All would have accomplished
more had they done less. And yet Hump
crdnck's opera. which was first heard
here i'm English. is one Of the tru'Si ana
most profitable tasks which the Aborn
Company has set for itself. Tho opera
was preceded by "An international Bal
let" which wasted much time. H. T.. Is.