New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-30
Wagner's RingSeries Opens
with Admirable Perform
ance of Prologue.
AUDIENCE TESTS THE
CAPACITY OF HOUSE
Probably Largest Gathering at
Any Production of "Rhein.
gold" In New York.

The annual serial performance ~ Ricn-
ard Wsgner's Der Ring des Nibelungen"
began yesterday afternoon at the Metro
politan Opera House with representa-
ton OF "Das Rheingold." There was IN
the occasion a commentary on the trend
of things operate IN the fact that the
audience was probably the largest that
has attended a performance OF the
prologue 10 the trilogy in the history OF
the house Every seat in the auditorium
vas sold and the standees rivslled In
number those Of Caruso night. IL was
a typical Wagner audience. the type o.
audience which is seen only at the
Ring" performances and AZ 'ParsifaI -
for Tristan" is given only on suoscr1p-
ton nights. when there is little room
left for the perfect Wagnerites. festsr-
days audience came 10 hear and see, nor
10 be heard or be seen. any overture In
this direction being sGuelched In promp'
and whole-souled fashion. The demeanor
Of that audience must have given graun-
cation 10 Mr. Gatti-Casszza, Mr.. Herts
and the artists on the stage all OF whom
had contributed OF their best n make
the seasons one performance OF "Rhein-
gold an unequivocal success.
The new scenery provided for the Ring
had been disclosed already in the produc-
tons OF "Die Walktre" and "siegfried.'
and II by no means ideal had al least
proved vastly superior 70 the sets left
over from Conried days. The "Rheingolh
scenery continued this impression. par
ticularly that depicting the depths OF the
Rhine The reedy bottom OF the swift
flowing river was admirably suggested
and the three Rhine Daughters were rors
clearly discerned than in former wears.
even il the shadows % their ropes ana
pulleys were at times In evidence. I'm
short. there was in this scene a very sue
cessful attempt At atmosphere. The cave
OF the Nibelungs was also well executed.
but il did seem as II a more substantial
Walhalla could have been provided and
less eguivocal and more symmetrical rain
bow. Perhaps, after all, there is some
thing vet to be learned from the i'm
presslonists who have recently been turn
ing their attention 20 the theatre, ho~-
ever exaggerated may he some Of their
conceptions
or the artists concerned III the p'l iV1 y"
ance itself first honors fell 10 the Aloerich
Of Mr. Coritz and the Mime OF MT. kciss'
as when. indeed have "Rheingold' FIRST
honors not fell 10 these two unsurpassaole
artists? Bit Nine. ODER. as Erda and
Flosshilde. continued the tradition she has
already set for herself to follow, and Mt
Ruysdaeps Bonner and Mr.. Braun fat-
ner we're also most admirably portrayed
The Wotan Of Mr.. We'll Is too dry IN
voice and undstinguished i'm bearing 70
go down among the great enactments OF
the character but it Is an earnest ana
consistent portrayal and one in the ap-
proved German tradition Good words.
too should be said for Nine. Sparkess
Woglinde. Nine. Aliens Wengunde. MT
Murphy's From. Miss Curtiss treia ann
Mr.. Witherspoon's Fasolt; the absence o
Herr Burrian being painfully felt IN MI
J0rn's attempt at Loge. Mr.. Jorn sus-
eested neither craft nor fire-he suggested
only Mr. J6rn.
Nine. Fremstad returned to memories
of her mezzo days by singing Frlcka
Needless TO say she sang the music WITH
exquisite expression. Mr.. Hertz was, or
course. I'm the conductors stand, and In
formed the whole performance with his
uncomfortable enthusiasm.
~. ,oc, in was as follows.