New-York tribune., 1915-03-13
DIE MEISTERSINCER
AT METROPOLITAN
Wagner's Comic Opera
Receives Seasons First
Performance.

The spirit OF old Germany was
abroad last night-not in lands about
he Rhine nor on the banks of the
Aisne, but at the Metropolitan Opera
douse. II was "Die Meistersinger Won
Nurnberg" that was being sung to q
large and interested audience; and the
magic Of the ancient Bayarian town,
its fun, its moonlight, its philosophy,
its love. foated over the footlights
into the hearts of all. The Germany
Of Hans Sachs and Walter Won Stolzlng
knows no enemy; Slav, Gaul and Anglo
Saxon love it alike and long for its
return. II is the Germany of the
hearth and the warm hand clasp, and
toward il all that is simplest and best
IN the human heart will ever turn.
And that it contained a Beckmesser
will not be held against IT. for the
sweet and tender love flavor needs the
sour.
In the marvellous finale of the sec
ond act lies the quintessonce Of the
charm of medieval Germany; in the
third act It's love; in the final sce"e
the apothcoss Of it all Late in the
season the "Moisterslnger" returns TO
MS and we ought at asst to be made
happy.
the best in recent years. There have
been objections to Mr.. Toscanini's
reading Of the score, and probably
some OF them are well founded. 1t
is doubtful whether any one not
German can appreciate and express the
essentially Tcutoric flavor Of much of
the humor. Signor Toscanini does not
attempt to give this, but what he gives
is none the less interesting To him
"Die MeiStersinger" is a lyric comedy
Of love. not only German, but also uni
versal Perhaps this is not what Wag-
rer meant il TO oe, yet taken thus and
treated as it was b. the great Italian
conductor. with INFINITE shading and
perfect articulation Of detail. it comes
forth a beautiful. human and a NOV
irg work Certainly in tho love ms
saops no cavil can be raised here the
composer sings in an idom that SIG
nor Toscanni loves and understands.
When in addition to this is the fact
nat the Bcckmesser, the David. the
Eva, the Walter were the best that
have been heard in New York in many
years, It is seen that those who were
present last night ought TO consider
themselves very happy.
The Beckmesser Of Otto Goritz and
the David Of Albert Reiss are two of
the really supreme impersonations that
the Metropolitan can claim. Mr.. Goritz
last night checked his recent tendency
to burlesque. and Mr.. Reiss was in un-
usually good voice. In Miss Frieda
Hempel the company has an Eva who
in innocence and maiden charm, in
sweetness of demeanor and in sweet
ness of voice, is above praise. Miss
Hempel is not a coloratura soprano Of
the first rank, but she is one OF
supreme lyric gifts. Her Eva is an
exquisite creation. The Walter was
Johannes SemJach, who appeared in
the part for the first time in America.
Mr.. Sembach has pleased in other
operas; his Walte- is the finest thing
he has yet shown He sang the music
with clear tone, with delcacy and with
fervor; he acted with dignity. never
failing to give the impression of one
whose rank was far above that Of those
who surrounded him. In short, he was
n sweet voiced and a romantic Walter.
The Hans Sachs of Hermann We'll is
always an earnest attempt. 1t was last
night little else.
Ire complete cast was as follows: