New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-19
First Representation This
Year of "GOetter-
daemmerung."
A TRIUMPH FOR
A NEW CONDUCTOR
Authorizations in the Wagnerian
Dramas, Past and
Present.
By II. f. KREHBIEL.

metropolitan opera mouse ldsb Hish !
had been seen and also heard again
more or less at the performances OF
Wagner's lyric drama last season. Since
nothing new can be chronicled about
them. there would seem TO be propriety
in devoting the notice which historical
convention is supposed 70 demand 20
the newcomers. These, outside Of the
stage manager, who. like good child,
was seen and not heard land only seen
by proxy, were Miss Julia Heinrich,
the Gutrune Of the drama, and Mr..
Arthur Bodansky, the conductor, OF
whose appearance il Is not necessary 20
speak, and who was heard as con-
doctor should be: through the music
made by others under his guidance.
There being a sort Of notion prevalent,
the offspring of latter day newspaper
ideals. that every artist must promul-
gate a new evangel on his arrival IN
America, we had been led 20 expect
that Mr.. Bodansky would teach us that
il was possible 20 curtsil Wsgner's
dramas. Those who attended the rep
resentation of last night expecting a
surprise of this kind were disappoint-
ed. There were curtailments. but the
Wagnerites of New York were taught
10 expect these concessions 10 their
comfort and enjoyment from the be
ginning They are not radicals either
by conviction or from affectation. Once
Mr. Seidl, who had no foolish conceits
on this subject despite his intimate as
ISOLATION with the composer (he wrote
ont the clean score Of "GOtterdam-
merung" from Wagner's lead pencil
pages ], restored the prologue, the scene
of the Nornir, and the lovers of Wag-
ner were delighted TO hear its magnifi-
cent music and note the lofty sym
bolism Of its poetry; but they had not
a word Of regret to utter when II was
abandoned because Of the obvious i'm
possibility Of consorting the poetical
idea with the rude materialism which
accompanied its INSTALLATION. You
can not represent the thread woven by
the Fates By the product of the hempon
rope-walk without reducing the symbol
10 al absurdity. And so. since the
music and words are magnificent, we
have wished ever since that the pro-
logue might be transferred 10 the con-
cert room. where. unfortunately II has
never been given a place.
In the early days. for the sake Of
economy in time, We were sometimes
deprived of the scene in the frst act
between Waltrsute and Brunnhllde,
This was a deplorable defect in the
representations. which the manage
ment has not repeated since 1t be-
came generous enough TO give us the
services OF a singer OF the first class
for the sake Of few minutes of
dramatic music which belongs TO the
best in score that is almost over
rich in beauty 1t was made one Of
the high lights Of last nights perform
ance by the singing of Nine. Matte
nauer, of whom it may be seid that
she was the only member OF cast
which was generally admirable, who
did not make us think that the heroic
DAYS Of Wagnerian drama were those
of its infancy in New York. ana that
the Siegfrieds and Brunnhildes, in
particular, have been growing smaller
year after year, as II they were re-
ceding in the perspective. For such a
thought we feel bit apologize 10
Nine. Kurt. whose impersonation Of
the heroine has d youthful and appeal
ing power which we DO not wish 10
underestimate. But we have no
apology 70 make for our inability 70
wax enthusiastic over M. Urlus's
Siegfrisd He is still too much of the
forest lad Of the preceding play and
has too little of the stature OF the
consummate hero OF Teutonic legend.
To conclude this branch Of the sub
ect. let a word Of gratitude be spoken
20 Mr. Bodansky for sparing US the
ghostly scene between Alberich ana
Hagen. There never was a time when
ii would not have gladly been missed.
II is extremely significant 10 the
philosophy and psychology Of the
drama a fine phrase, thisl. but II Is
the widest extravaganza, not TO say
the most foolish affectation, to insist
that the public wants TO be made cog
infant of everything in Wagner's poeti-
cal scheme. Wagnerites with normal
aesthetic and intellectual stomachs do
no more want 20 follow every thought
in the drama than the devotees Of
Italian opera, who are content 20 know
the general trend OF incident and
sentiment and permit the music 70
charm their senses and play upon
their emotions.
And now as TO the newcomers men
toned Miss Heinrich must be con-
tent with praise for being the first
singer in years al the Metropolitan TO
put "A measure of dramatic and musical
quality into the bloodleSs character Of
Gutrune. We wish more familiarity
with the stage will teach her not 10
teeter her arms and body in time with
her singing as she did last night; but
this is thing not at all uncommon.
And now, Mr.. Bodansky. The au-
dience gave him a greeting which was
full Of encouragement on his appear
ance at the conductors desk. That
was all kindness and generosity 20 a
newcomer, for no one knew what 10 ex-
pect Of him. When he appeared for
the second act there was another greet
ing. one more hearty. and now it spoke
approval and gratitude, both richly de-
served. Musically the performance
was the most finished heard az the
Metropolitan since a memorable one
conducted by Signor Toscanni 4
leaden hand which weighed tons upon
Wagner's music has been replaced by
one which respects the composers
nuances and the euphonious low of his
interviewer melodies. Mr. Bodansky
apparcntly feels the poetry Of the
music and is not obsessed by a sense
of it's mere ponderosity. He gives the
singers their due and thereby exalts
the mission of the orchestral part. lie
provided one Of the delights of an
evening which was full OF noble pleas
uric. This was the cast Of the drama:
-egfriel .+-.....s+. s'...t.- JACQUES w.
.urfhef htfifiiil wen
.isgen ..................t.... Car Braun
, ,,@''s..ttd. Observation-Disclosures. Neisuir hurf
's,,,,,,,.e ..................... Julia Heinrich
,1.trsu,s ...............Ms rsa-rie Msizensuef
"a .'.y,t. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Rita f0uiA
,1l'ft-fife observation-disclosures. Lila Kobrsou
x1oo - TIL, a, lx.,,-,,-