The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-23
NINE. HURTS KUNDRY
AT METROPOLITAN
Naoncr'S 'Parsifal' Has Large
Nudicncc at Special Holt
day Matinee.
M~ONTEMEZZT IN EVENING

"parsifal'' does not seem to have any
striking relevancy to the anniversary
Of the birth of Washington. but any
holiday may serve as an opportunity
FIR a matinee. Certainly the tired
bus man Of Broadway does not
seek nis spiritual refreshment at the
shrine Of the Holy Grail, but all per-
sons who are at liberty on holidays
are not weary directors of going con-
Germs and there are some men who can
the last utterauce OF Wagner.
For those who go often to heal the
sacred festival drama the chief interest
OF yesterday afternoons representation
az the Metropolitan opera House lay
N the fact that Melanie Kurt SANG
hurdry for the first time here. The
METROPOLITAN stage has been fortunate
IN It's hGudrU representations and II
can be recorded with pleasure this
morning that the high standard will
not los lowered Mime. kurt's interpre.
ta,lon OF the role aroused genuine en-
thus ASm and sent "rarsifal" devotees
home IN q comfortable frame of mind
Nine kurtis treatment of the role
- ItalNlul III All u'ldllS 10 lne purpose
All directions OF the composer. IL has
all tie sinister wildness OF the first act
a. the urgent seductiveness of the sec
orj and al the conquered suBservience
o. the third. Especially noteworthy
was tho pregnant meaning of her excel.
lent actir- in the first act. Commend.
able. too. was the artists u~nninchingly
4lduhic treatment of the oscillations In
The temptation scene. The caresses
were bestowed frankly and with con-
vict!on. Vet with just that indescrib.
able shade Of reserve that made the
action ind sturhiug.
Indeed al the pictorial movement OF
tho second act was eXcellently planned
and the beauty of the poses. gestures
and facial expression was no small
factor in the creation OF interest. Nine.
Kurt sang the music with abundant
voice and with a wide range OF vocal
color Her reading of the most signih-
cant dcclamttory phrases had point and
force The story Of Herzeleide's death
Mas told very tenderly and the narrative
OF the accused laugh had poignant
depth Of feeling. on the whole Mime.
Hurts kurdry was a most successful in
depreciation.
TIL music drama did not rest its
entire bjrien OF the KHndry. Mr.. Sem
bach's PdrSiIdi improves on larger
acquaintance II Is warmed with the
fire OF sincerity M is well sung. MIR,
Whi'ehiil'S touching ADifortds and Mr..
Brtun's Stdlwdrt Guunemdns were other
important Items in the representation
Mr. Hertz conducted with his we'll known
devotion. There was evidence that some
rehears.ng had been done since the las,
previous performance. The flower girls
sans much better thar they did then.
In the evening the Monday subscribers
had their first hearing this season OF
N~'l;cWezzi's thrilling opera, Lahore
def Ire Re The cast was the same
o., heretofore and the performance pro
yeeied along familiar lines. There was
D. large audience and the interest in the
work was similar to hat observed al
previous representations.
FL Amore del Tire Re" wears well and
wal probably continue 70 do 50. II has
!it,'e OF the spectacular effect of CON
tcu~l oIaneous Italian opera music. which
feIo Hes In points OF dazzling climax In
melody or defamation. Montemezzi's
work has rejuvenated the spirit Of the
l't tu classics and its chaste simplicity
WIFI probably keep il on the stage for
yefr. yet.