New-York tribune., 1920-03-14
By n. E. krehbiel
10 the Editor of The Tribune.

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
sir: For the last seven years I have
oeen devout student of Richard Wag-
ner "Parsifal" and l have also pre-
pared classes TO hear the performances
Of the same. Consequently the revival
Of the work has been of intense inter
est TO me. AT recent performances of
It the music has been most ably con-
Quoted and the various artists and
members OF the cast have entered Won
derfully into the spirit of this most
sacred work; but alas! even so this
can never make uo for the overwhel I'M
ing disappointment which the new
scenery held for many. It could by no
means be compared with that used in
former Years; it was too pagan in
spirit 700 aamboyant in effect.
In the first act We missed the mag.
nifcent oak with its sheltering
branches, the soft blue waters Of the
distant lake. In recent newspapers
there has been sufficient criticism of
the flower garden scene. In the new
Good Friday scene gone are the gentle
beauties of spring and its promise of
resurrection. Sixteen times l have
witnessed the transformation scenery
pass across the stage to the noble and
stately rhythm of the march, "The
saviour's Lament" and the approach
ias sound OF bells. Never has it
seemed in the mystic twilight "cumber-
some or awkward, but always held one
with Its depths of statelness and
beauty. Il is in such conceptions as
@astership in the art Of stagecraft.
Indeed, no curtain, however exquisite,
can have the marvellous effect which
fais transformation scenery produced.
Maurice kufferath writes: sIn a
country far away and inaccessible there
i sacred citadel by the name of
~aon.-Salvat A temple so brilliant
'nat the whole world has nothing to
compare with it rises in its glory and
sp.endor.' Can this new temple,
oungeonlike and gloomy, with its
'heckerboard floor pattern, can this be
mt sanctuary worthy of the chalce
q the Holy Grail: That other temple,
hlgn Of dome and graceful of column,
with Its soft-toned blue and rose, with
It's atmosphere Of holy mystery, which
nela US rapt and breathless with
wonder and reverence, is not that
M more to be desired for the Holy Grail
OF which we have robbed Bayreuth?
since we possess scenery so near
20 the masters conception that it is
SAID IN some respects to surpass that
a. bayreuth, why should it be dis
earded for new? To present thing
sspUstlcaily is TO present it in the spirit |
81 "hicn 1t Is composed. Therefore, |
sSaS TINS inappropriate scenery? |
afslIal is stage consecrating
aes.l7ai play; why its presentation |
as a mere opera? r n
New York, March 4.
Panorama Not Essential
&c !east consequential feature of
'nis letter we conceive to be that
'ouching the elimination OF the trans
'0fmatlon scene at the current repre-
'en'ations Of "Parsifal' a the Metro
p0htan Opera House. The reasons for
'Ae omission of the panorama have
oeen explained by Mr.. atti-Casaxza.
,Aa' great many persons would be
disappointed at the loss of the moving
r'e'ofe was foregone conclusion. for
''' appeal which it made to in
ss"u0us fancy (and probably also to
,"' taste which has been cultivated of
'a'e years by the cinematograph) was
s"e oi the elements which helped to
~s''hguish "Parsifal" from the general
1' Oh operas. 1t is mistake. how
..f' 10 think that it stood for any,
.s essential in the drama or that it's
r 'ss'oh Is deprivation, from either
e. .'a'ic or musical point of view.
q ai as its march rhythm indicates
-. progress of Gurnemanz and Par
). shal from the forest glade in which
ss meet over mountain paths and
'vush rocky defles into the TEMPLE
=, ~ 'ns Grail. it might be set down as
.sp'- , Wagner would have been the
80 man IN the world to wish that the
NY, sas'srers should keep step or be sup
posed to do so.
NM. pamphlet on the proper perform I
81, u fannhauser" he interposed a
as 'sns objection to the entrance Of the
'' IN the Hall Of Song in tho man ,
a., '. marching company. though
sss s' enter to the measures Of a march ,
ssn - sntry Of the gussts into the /
Sass song be 80 sssessd that the ,
80 .as,xagnsr,etas assrsa