The New York herald., 1921-02-03
IN NEW DRESS SUNG
IN ENGLISH AT METROPOLITAN
Wagner Opera Restored to
Repertory With Ambitious
Designs of Scenery.

WagnefS 3 "Lohengrin" was restored 10
tho repertory Of the Metropolitan Opera
House last evening. The opera was given
in English. as the other revived Wagner
dramas has been. II had its last
previous performance on February IT.
1917. when Nine. Gadski and Mr.. Urius
We're the protagonists, and the original
text OF the composer was heard. The
preparations for last evenings revival
We're long and earnest and not only was
the opera garbed in new scenic attire.
put the score was restudied.
The results might easily be made the
theme OF a long discussion, but Tor the
moment brief summary OF the most
salient facts must suffice The stage
OF the Metropolitan is now the home of
spectacular splendors and 'Lohengrin"
lends itself readily to the most ambitious
designs Of scene painter. costumer and
stage manager. The new scenery is the
best the work has ever had here
The court of the castle in the second
act Is especially well planned. 1t pre-
sents an appearance Of medieval solidity
and OF ample spaces So. too, the bridal
chamber has an atmosphere of its own
Indeed the entire pictorial investiture of
the opera interests the eye and gives
Illusion to the action. The costumes are
rich and varied and IN no other opera
has Mr. Gatti-Casazza offered 10 his sub
scribers more brilliant and luxurious
pageant than the bridal procession OF
the second act.
Mr. Bodanzky. who conducts the
opera, has put much hard work into the
preparation Of the music. Among other
things he has restored an ensemble long
omitted from the second act This en-
semble is musically important and is
one of Wagners most mastery pieces
OF choral writing, but 1t is not unlikely
that most operagoers will feel that the
act Is now too long. 1t would not be
astonishing to find the cut ren,ade
Otherwise the musical beauties OF 'Ioh-
engrin" are disclosed with skill. Per-
haps there will be questions raised as
to some of the tempt, for throughout
Europe in recent years the tendency has
been to proceed with ponderous delib-
GRAFTON, and the influence of the custom
has not yet disappeared from local per-
formances OF German operas. But con-
sidering the relentless use of common
time in "Lohengrin," Mr.. Bodanzky has
succeeded we'll in procuring the effect
of great variety of movement in this re-
markable score.
Furthermore, the musical performance
excellent treatment Of accent, the care
fulness of the phrasing and the beauti-
full elasticity and tonal quality of the
orchestra. The chorus, as well as the
orchestra. discharged its duties super
latively well and the ensembles wsre
admirable.
The principals were: Nine. Easton as
Elsa, Nine. Matzenauer as OrtrWd, Mr.
Sembach RS Lohen0riil, Mr.. Whitehill as
TelramuYd, Mr.. Biass rs the King and
Mr.. Leonhardt as the Herald. All these
artists won new laurels, and it would
be easy to descant at length upon their
excellences. A Lohen0ri, with voice and
appearance, an Elsa with supreme art
and lovely tone. Telrdnlund OF sinis-
ter power and vocal vigor and an OTtrqtd
of equally valuable merit were well
worthy OF prolonged cadences OF praise
But the passing mention must be all this
morning.
Above all, praise is due Mr.. Gatti-
CasaZza, and for him there will surely
be much honor. because his production
of "Lohengrin' last night was one of
the greatest achievements of his admin
istration. Artistically he has given US
nothing better, and perhaps there may
be a word OF remembrance for one Rich
ard Wagner. who made the triumph pos
sible.
Mrs. Newbold lie Roy Edgar, Mrs
Henry Martyr Alexander, Mr.. and Mrs.
Francis X. Pendleton and Mr.. and Mrs.
Nelson O'Shaughnessy flrmed a group
in Mrs. Goelet's box.
In box 3, with Mr.. and Mrs. +. Reeve
Merritt, were Mrs. Charles H. Semi and
Mr.. and Mrs. Nicholas Roosevelt.
Mrs. Charles ]. Welch and Messrs
Andrew A. Bibhey. Percy Bramwell
Robert Kerr Richards and Shipley Jones
and Capt Warren G. Beach were guests
OF Mrs. Louis T. Hoyt in box 2s.
The party In box 2S included Mr.. and
Mrs Adrian Iseiln. Mrs. Frank Gray
Griswold and Mr.. and Mrs. Irwin b.
Laughlin. Mr.. william Pierson Hanil-
ton and Mrs. Arthur Woods were in the
Morgan box.
others present were Mr.. and Mrs
James Lowell Putnam and Mrs William
Post, who were in Mrs. Vanderbllts
box; Mrs. Henry Asher Robbins and
Major and Mrs. Theron r.. Strong. who
were IN box 2. and Mr.. and Mrs. Harris
Fahnestock, Mr.. and Mrs. Frederic r.
Coudcrt, Mr.. and Mrs. George w. Wick
ershau. Mr.. and Mrs. George Sumner
Gerard, Miss Pauline Riggs. Mr. and
Herbert Parsons, Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac
Chauncey McKeevor, Mrs. Charles Z.
Alexander, Mr.. and Mrs. Seymour john
son, Mr.. and Mrs. William T.. Iselin,
Miss Georgne Iselin and Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Carroll Martin.