New-York tribune., 1920-02-29
sParsifal" in
English Gains
Fresh Charm
Metropolitan Singers Give
Impressive Presentation
Of Work for Enjoyment
Of Big Matinee Audience
Artists Cain Confidence
Diction Especially Shows
Increased Eloquence as
Result of Familiarity

There WAS an unusual audience in tho
Metropolitan Opera House yesterday
sfternoon-unusual not in numbers,
though all the spaces in the audience
room we're flied. but in character, for.
Il was composed Of the regular Satur-
day afternoon attendants, to whom
Caruso and Miss Farrar are idols, plus
all the Wagner and specifically "Parsi-
fs" devotees who could be crowded
into stalls, boxes and standing places.
"Parsifal' had its second representa-
ton in English, and an exceedingly
beautiful and impressive one. Even
more than at the first representation,
when all concerned entered upon the
performance of their task with sense
Of reverence and responsibility. the
good results of the renovation to which
the drama has been subjected were in
evidence. The singing-actors were the
SAME, out they had gained in confidence
in themselves and in Familiarity with
the action and text. There was in con-
sequence q greater freedom and elias
ticity Of movement, an increased elo-
ouence in their musical utterance as
well as in their diction.
Mr.. Bodanzky, TOO. seemed 70 have
felt the need of vivifying the music il,
the first act ard. without sacrificing
any OF the expressive musical nuances
he managed to quicken the movement of
the drama very materially. to the obvi
Gus comfort Of those among the listen
ers who think the speeches of Gurne-
MANI tedious Tedious they are not
when sung intelligbly and with such
proper appreciation Of their beauty as
Mr. Rothier clothes them with. AT the
same time NJ. Bodanzky. whose aims
obviously 60 beyond the part which his
players in the orchestral pit have to
perform, took care to make il possible
that even more OF the text should be
brought 70 the ears and minds Of the
audience than at the performance ten
days ago. As result the hurried mar
ratlve Of Parsifal in the first scene was
probably understood by all 50 far as
clstinctness Of speech is concerned
there IS indeed little more that could
oe asked OF any dramatic singer than
Mr.. Harold and Mr.. Whitehill cave
There is still room for ;nlorevener4
n Nine. Natzenauer's verbal diction
though her musical defamation is an
arustlc achievement Of real magnitude
Splendid vlvaclty, variety and grace
mafKed the singing and acting Of the
flower ma ders. and their scene is no4
ohiy Triumph for the singers and Mr..
Eisler, their musical coach, but also for
Mr.. Qrdynsky, as the singing OF The
choruses Of The knights is for the
choirmaster Mr.. Setti.
The scenic furniture of the second
scene OF the second act (the Maric
Gardenl has placed some handieans
upon the dramatic action as well
upon Nine. Natzeuauer's eloquent re-
cital Of the death Of Parsifal's nofher
out an improvement in this respee5
mas been promised by Mr. Gatti. Who.
on another page of The Tribune to-dav
discusses with historical correctness
the qaest.on Of the uertinency and
value OF the moving panorama, which
,, mas Deen discarded not only at the
Ne'ropo Opera House, but also
al many German taeaters. IL. r. K.