The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-02-17
new STAGE BILLS TO SET PRETTY PACE
Gadski and KnOch
Star in Wagner
Classic

In it's first iacursion into the
field of the Wagnerian music
drama, the Washington National
Opera Company last night at
Polls gave a highly creditable
account of itself in 'Die Walkure, "
the first of the Nibelungen trilogy,
of which "Das Rheingold" forms
the prelude.
In transferring itself from the
field of ordinary opera to the
much more complicated and sig
nificant lyric drama. where orches-
ira, voice and staging are given
almost equal importance, the
company met many difficulties
which were handled with deal
of finesse.
Johanna Gadski, who will go
down in musical history as one
of the greatest exponents of the
Wagnerian art, sang Brunhilde
last night, repeating a triumph
she enjoyed a few days ago at
the Metropolitan in New York in
the same role. While her voice
may not be as fresh as it was
when she made her American
debut as Brunhilde, 20 years
ago, her dramatic art is unfaiI-
ingly sure and she handled every
trying passage with consummate
ease.
Together with Ernest Knoch,
Germany's most renowned inter
prefer of Wagner, who came to
this country to WELD the baton in
the Washington company's inter-
national festival, Nine. Gadski
shared first l1onors last night.
He worked wonders with an
orchestra which has had but
four rehearsals in the magnificent
symphonic score Wagner wrote.
One might have wished for a
larger string choir.
In Elsa Alsen. one of Germany's
foremost sopranos, who made her
American debut last night, Wash
ington music lovers found a new
source of delight. She made the
somewhat minor role of Sieglinde
thing of vibrant beauty.
Paul Althouse, not ordinarily
considered a Wagnerian, sang
Siegmund very well
Howard Preston, bass baritone,
a newcomer to the local stage, sang
the part of Wotan with dignity
and assurance. Other members of
a well-balanced cast were Allen
Hinckley, as Hunding; Nine.
Charles Cahier, as Fricka, and
Edna Zahn, Marjorie Meyer, Tilla
Genunder, Merran Reader, Berry
Jenny, Stella Fryer, Ruth Nell
vaine and Mable Ritch as the
Valkyries.
The stage settings and lighting
fell far below the standards set by
the vocalists and the orchestra.
This was especially noticeable in
the Wagner opus, which makes
heavy demands upon the producer.
die Walkure" is a story of
broad lines and austerely simple
development. 1t forms. with it's
companion works in the trilogy, a.
colossal Worfd-tragedy, ethical in
its significance, and portraying the
conflicting powers of world forces,
elemental types of humanity and
ideals of human aspiration; the inn
mutable laws of righteousness and
retribution.
The whole scheme is carried out
with overpoWering grandeur and
forms the logical goal of Wagner's
elaborate theories as to subject and
treatment OF the lyric drama.
In this respect the work Is
unique in the field of opera and in
putting on the performance it did
last night the local opera company
has taken long step forward in
the development Of music in this
country.
Returning to the conventional
operate field, the company will
give Delibes' "Lakme" tomorrow
night, with Nine. Luella Melius
and Maurice Capitaine, of the
Opera Comique, Paris. in the lead
ing roles.
JOSEPH s. EDGERToN.