New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-16
WAGNER'S COMEDY
A DISAPPOINTMENT
Die Meistersinger" Performed
at the Metropolitan With
out Distinction.

Die Mcistcrsingcr." Wagner's only
comedy had its first performance for
this season at the Metropolitan Opera
House last night II was first brought
out here on January .. 1856. aud has
therefore. been before the local public
for twenty eight years-s longer period
than The Tribunes reviewer at the time
thought likely that il would endure in
view of the uncompromislng TeutpnisHn
of it's comedy. and what he thought
would he considered the aridness or mhch
Of it's dialogue. But II has endured anu
won its way to the hearts OF a large
enough element among New Yorks opera
goers to fll the big theatre whenever IL
Is given Whence IL draws its generous
patronage is plainly evidenced by the fact
that nearly every markedly characteristic
speech Of Goritz- Beckmesser sends
ripple of laughter through the audience.
The performance last night did not pro-
vide unalloyed pleasure. Signor Toscanini
conducted 1T. as he has done heretofore.
There can be no question about MS
knowledge and admiration for the music;
as little can there he any question about
his want of understanding of the words
and their meaning. Die MeistersinGer
is to him "A great orchestral song. full OF
splendor, rich with a multitude of instru-
mental voices. 1t is that, also. to all who
appreciate It's beauties; but it is some
thing vastly more. II is a comedy with
a deep purpose, which finds expression
in its words and action az well as in its
orchestral part, which, with all its mani
field beauties is after all, but the sweep
ing current on which the drama is swept
along. Last night. as on previous coca
sions when Signor Toscanini conducted,
the people of the play sang and acted as
If under nervous constraint.
There was no opportunity for them to
declaim their lines effectively or TO in
dulge in effective action. They had TO
adjust everything to Signor Toscanini and
his orchestra. In view Of the great beauty
of the italian conductors Interpretation OF
the music Of Tristan und Isolde and
"Gotterdammerung this dtspraise may
seem extraordinary. but it need not. The
language of tragedy is universal and un-
bounded by time. of comedy local and
temporal. and Die Meistersinger' is a
comedy, a pleasant satire on the manners
and customs of a German community IN
d well defined time. Its significance as a
commentary on art does not alter that
fact in the least neither does it neces-
sarly open the minds and sympathies OF
everybody to its Enthusiastically ma
tional elements. Under the circumstance
there is no temptation TO discuss the
merits and dement's OF individuals in last
nights representation. There was moth
ing commendable in the one newcomer IN
the cast-Mr. Schlegel, as kothner--and
little commendable in the people with
whom the public was familiar. Mr.. Braun
was very Sachs-lke PoSner and MI
Urlus quite the opposite Of the gallant
graceful, tunefu knight that he ought to
have been. There never has been trace
of poetry in the Eva Of Nine Gadski, and
very little of either cobbler or poet In MI
Wells Sachs. In fact, traces of the ordel
of things which used 10 prevail were TO De
found only in Mr.. Goritz's inimitaoie
Beckmesser. Mr.. Reiss's David. Nine
Mattfeld's Magdalena. the orchestra ano
/ chorus. H. h. N