New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-20
RING OPERA AT
THE METROPOLITAN
Fine Performance of Got
terdammerung"- Monte
meZZi in the Evening.

The Metropolitan Opera Company.
cycle Of Richard Wagner's Der Ring das
Nibelungen" came to an end yesterday
afternoon with performance OF "Gotter-
dammerung." the first this season. The
Ring performances have all been largely
attended. and yesterday the house was
practically sold out, while the enthusiasts
who do not ask for seats were nearly as
numerous as on a Caruso night. Truly
New York is Wagnerian town par ex-
cellence, no matter now much the un-
thinking may worship at the shrine Of
favorite tenor.
The new scenery provided by Mr. Gatu-
Casazza for the Ring was again in evil
dence. and the sets again proved admir-
able as examples OF the besJ work of the
German conventional school. The scene
on the banks Of the Rhine was in half
light really very beautiful, and the final
cataclysm in the Hall Of the Gibechungs
made an effective picture. the flowing OF
the Rhine being most realistic. But in
full sunlight the scenery was less salts
factory. Ii is here, as it always has been,
that the conventional school fails, and the
forest leaves and grass come 10 resemble
the brightly colored picture books we give
TO children at Christmas time. Yet with
j, all. the various sets were as well exc
cuted as could be expected Of scenery
conceived in the traditional manner.
The performance itself WAS splendid
one. With two exceptions all :he per-
formers were old friends. even II one OF
them, Mr.. Braun, has appeared in MS
part but once before. The Brunnhilde was
Nine. Flemstad, Brunnhilde that stands
with her Isolde at the summit OF her &C
complishmcnt: a woman radiant in ten
derness. in passion, in constancy; con-
ceived in the grand manner, carried out
with a consistency and tragic poisnancy
that bear the mark of genius. she was
not perhaps in her best voice, but she Was
\ supreme Brunnhide. Nj. Braun
Hagen is his best impersonaton an I'M
perconauon Of volcanic power. Tie faults
of method which too often harm his sing
ing here turn almost to be virtues. MI
Wells GCnther and Nine. Fornia
Gutrune are conceived on lower plane
hut they both are worthy productions,
and the Rhine Daughters Of Mines. Oher'
Alien and Sparkes should cause an i'm
mediate rush Of tourists to the historic
river
There was. however. new Siegiried
IN Rudolf Berger MI. BerSers gigantic
stature was an asset, as il has been IN
every part he essayed. yet he did not
make OF the hero all that dreams have al
lotted. He was a large and human Sies-
fried. who showed little evidence Of being
OF Wotan's brood. Ills singing again
brought the regret that his fine natural
yoi,c. bv its method OF emission. should
sound so often pinched and hard. Nine.
Obelts Waltraute WAS another addition
10 her rapidly growing gallery OF por-
traits The orchestra was. OF course, un-
der Mr.. Hertz's direction. and the popular
conductor gave TO it all his zest and
power
In the evening came the seasons last
performance Of Montcmezzis Lahore
doi Ire Re" Signor Ferrari- Fontana.
whose Avito has disclosed 10 us a new
romantic tenor Of splendid powers. re-
turning to Europe by to-morrow's steam
or. II is 10 be hoped that Signor Ferrari-
Fontana Is next season TO be fun fedged
member Of the metropolitan. His rccep-
ton last night was ample proof that the
public hold him I'm high regard. Miss
Bori by her Flora, has placed herself
well in the front rank OF operate So
pranos. and Mr.. Amato's increasing and
welcome confluence OF tone have made OF
Nonfrcdo most admirable impersona-
tion. Mr.. Didur is also to be praised for
his Archibaldo.
'"I,Amore del Tire Re has come into
the repertory TO stay. IT, popular appeal
has eauallcd its artistic interest. In ltalo
Montemezzl Italy has AT last produced q
composer whose promise is rich: a com
poser who is q master Of the stage. who
never bows 10 the Baal OF the sensational
whose sincerity is evident in every par
Of his music.