The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-28

hear the entire operas to be in their
seats at least ten minutes before cur
tain time.
have before me the reviews OF
the leading music critics of Chicago
regarding the work of this company
few days ago in that city. They
certainly were most laudatory.
Special praise was given Johanna
Gadski and Juliette Lippe, the two
Bruenhildes with this organization
Both will appear here, but in what
operas, the management has not
announced.
I have been asked to explain the
meaning of der Ring des Nibelun-
gen" of which die Walkure" and
"Siegfred" are parts.
The following data has been OBJ
tanned:
The gigantic tetralogy of der Ring des
Nibelungen" was projected as early as
1s4e. The music. however. was not COM
meneed until 1853. and not completed until
1874. 1t was first performed on Aug. Is,
IA. Is. and II. 1876. at Bayreuth.
"Das Rheingold.'' which forms the pro-
loge TO the trilogy proper, was completed
in 1854 and contains the key of the entire
tragedy. The prelude is perhaps the most
original Of all Wagner's preludes.
It is a musical picture of the mighty
Rhine and as the curtain rises We are
transported to the lowest depths of the
river. where the three Rhine-maidens are
disporting themselves in the waters.
Presently appears Alberich. the chief of
che Nihelungen. a race of dwarfs who in
habit the bowels Of the earth. Ugly and
malicious is he, cruel and crafty to boot.
Clumsily he tries to make auorous ad-
vances to the maidens. but they easily
escape his clutches as he slides about on
the slippery rocks.
The light has gradually grown brighter
and suddenly sunbeam strikes upon the
point Of one of the submerged rocks and
the depths are Illuminated by a golden
glow.
1t is the Rhein-gold. the treasure of the
Rhine-maidens. They foolish1y tell the
dwarf that who SO possess the gold may bv
It's power become the ruler of the world.
pat ne must first renounce love. Alherich's
cupldity is excited beyond measure,
With frantic haste he scales the rock.
curses and forever renounces love, and.
clutching the glittering metal, disappears
into the depths below. Darkness once more
1alls, and the maidens are heard dis
conSolately lamenting their loss. AS the
darkness disperses, mighty castle is re-
Vealed on high eminel4ce: in the fore
ground the god Wotan and Fricka. his
spouse. lie sleeping on the grassy mound.
Ihey awake. and gaze on the castle.
1t is Walhalla. the palace that wetan
mas commissioned the giants Fafner and
FaSolt to build for him. But, now that
the work is finished the price that must
be paid weighs heavily on Fricka's MIND.
AT the lnStigation of Loki, the embodiment
OF ShlttnesS and craft. Wotan has promised
TO the giants Freia. the goddess of worth
ana beauty Frickas sister. Fricka her.
self had persuaded Wotan to build WAL
haua she hoped thereby to keen the
rowing god more closely to her side
marital constancy not having been one of
the strongest characteristics But she has
been not part to the agreement to
surrender Freia. and she bitterly upbraids
her lord for what he has done.
The helpless Freia now rushes in tears.
pursued by the two giants, who demand
their reward. Wotan endeavors to tenn
porize. but the giants are obdurate.