The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-11
"PARSIFAL" GIVEN
FOR GOOD FRIDAY
Nine. FremStad Made Recipient
Of Special Demonstration
by Audience.

Wagner told me in 1871" writes VII
helm Tappert that in the sos when In
Zurich. he took possession OF n charming
new house and that. inspired by the beau
tful spring weather, he wrote out the
sketch that very day OF the Good
Friday music" letter to Tichat-
shcek defines the year as 1851 This
music. fifty-seven years old, was heard
once more yesterday afternoon when the
customary Good Friday matinee of Par
sifal" was given at the Metropolitan Opera
House.
The freshness. beauty. poetic imaglna-
tion and noble vitality of this truly in
spired part of Wagner's last score must
continue to impress hearers with every
repetition. The feelings with which II and
the rest OF the work are heard In the
opera houses of Europe which have just
received the drama into their repcrtores
may we'll be imagined. But the effect Of
"Parsifar' and its marvellous Good Fri
day spell are not heightened in this city
by a sudden smergence from the seclu-
sion of Bayreuth.
Than, TO the vandalism. II il may so
be called, of the late Heinrich tonred.
who laid violent hands on the treasure
of Wahnfried. we have been hearing the
drama for eleven years. In certain
sense therefore. II has been n particular
and intimate possession of New York.
That II has been cherished worthily every
observer OF musical dongs well knows.
1t has been heard over and over by
audiences intent and reverent u mas
been interpreted again and again by ar
lists inspired with the true spirit of their
tasks. Little Is left To be said then, eN-
c.pt that Yesterdays representation
brought repetition OF enactmenls ana
acceptance seen often and yet never dulled
by familiarity.
The "Parslfar audience ia the finest
tribute the work can gain. Whatever de-
fects critical examination has found In
Wayners last drama, II hus created for
itself a special public. a special atmos
phere. special place in religious and
art life. And In New York, where il il
not an item in music festival nor "A
shrine for tourist travel II has achieved
this splendid distinction more beautifully
and more definitely than in Bayreuth.
In Yesterdays performance, the last for
this sea son there were features of special
Interest one was tho first appearance
here of Rudolf Berger IN the ttlc role
in which he showed Intelligence and sym
pathy The other was the last appear
ance OF Nine. Fremstad NJ KundrD, Il role
in which she has reached the highest level
of artistic achievement. II she does not
reappear I'm this city next season she VIII
leave behind her memories most beautiful
Yesterdays audience took occasion "a
make "A special demonstration in her IA
vor at the end Of the second act After
numerous recalls with Mr., Berger SHE
was compelled to appear eight times
alone. The enthusiasm was eXtraordl-
nary.
In the evening Massenet's "Manon'
was given to large audience. Miss
Farrar was To have sung Mdnoh. but sh,
was Indispostd and Mime Aida took her
place She had not sung the role for five
, years and it had been impossible for her
| Ia have Il rehearsal. In these conditions
/ she acquitted herself with credit. Mr.
! Caruso was the Dos Grieur, and as h,
! was in good voice he gave his hearers
/ much pleasure Mr. Gilly was a good
/ Lfscdut NJ Toscaulni conducted