Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-02-12
CHURCH
PACKED
!. TO DOORS
People Of Capital City Ap.
DreCldted Recital Given
by Prof. B0ehmef

The Methodist church was packed tt
the doors Monday evening by eager list
encrs to the lntcrpretative recital or
"rnrsifal' by Prof. Ernest A.. Roehmer
of Fargo. There was a feeling among
many Of the bismarck people that they
did not understand or appreciate the
classical music of many of the great
composers and therefore hesitated about
patronizing this kind of an entertain
ment: however. it Is conceded that there
never has assembled in the city so ,arg'
and enthusiastic an audience for a mu-
steal as the one assembled on this Occa-
sion.
Judge p. +. Spalding gave a very
thoughtful and eloquent introductory ad-
dress, paying many fine tributes 10 the
opera as well as to Prof. Roehnier. AID
both speakers tried to impress upon their
hearers thai "Parsifal' differed from
most operas, in that it was not light an l
entertaining in its nature. but serious
and deeply religious, while the music
was heavy and not especially melodious.
1t was the aim of Prof. Boehmer
to bring out the grandeur of the music
Of this great dramatic opera. which has
perhaps been more written about and
discussed than any other opera ever
written, and from the rapt attention it
seemed as If he held his hearers by
magic power 'Parsifal,' like the pas
sion Play" is by the rural folk. and TO
take it from its natural surroundings and
give it the American staging seems sac
rilege to those who have seen it 3inonS
the hills Of Bavaria. 'The stereopticon
slides used helped to keep the simple lfe
surroundings before the audience. Al
Rayrcuth to reach the Opera house one
takes a fftcen-minute walk through
it Is dimly lighted, and the audience sits
in absolute silence for a time III an at
mOsDhcrc of serious meditation. The
great religious festival' performance
proceeds with grandeur and dignity n
the greatest simplicity.
a" Prof. Boehmer played selections
from the musical score and related the
Story Of the search OF tic knights Cor
TIC Holy Grail and the dramatizatiGn Of
'Parsifal," he displayed his mastery
ability in the descriptive art as we'll as
"IiI NIN phth', lhiSSi"o " ~
lest strains to the lightest ones with
perfect ease and technique. The Dance
Of the Flower M%aidens" was rendered
with the daintiest touch and perfect
rhythm, while the forces Of evil striving
with the forces of good were illustrated
by the heaviest discordant strains. A
selection from the Good Friday SPELL
was of the most soothing and perfect
melody. Kundry's redemption and Par
sifaf crowned as king Of the Holy Grail
was a fitting climax. Of grandeur and
sublimity. Prof. Boehmer proved him
self a master of his subject, as we'll as
of the piano, and the end of the pro-
gram came all too soon although 1t had
been an hour and a half in duration. The
people seemed loath to leave, and many
tarried after the close, hoping to hear
additional selections, for which numer-
Gus requests were sent forward.
The beautiful Grand piano which de-
lighted the audience with its clear and
perfect tone was loaned by the Peck
Music house for this occasion. n there
was a general expression Of qualification
for the kindness rendered.