Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-05
GERMAN COMPANY
RESUMES DER RING
Famous Wagnerian Cycle Is
Continued by Opera Troupe
at Polls.

The German Grand Opera Co. re-
sumed its presentation of the famous
Wagnerian cycle, Der Ring DIES Nibe-
lungen," last night with highly COM
mendable performance of Die Wal
kuere," at Polls Theater.
I, The large audience showed enthu-
siastic appreciation throughout the four
hours Of the opera, arriving for the
most part on time for the prompt cur
tain at 7:45 pm. and applauding Wig
orouSly Tor the final curtain at IL AS
pm.
This performance was well cast with
the regrettable absence of Nine. Jo-
hanna Gadski, who was to have sung
Brunhilde, the only blot on the even
ing. Nine. Gadski was taken Ill with
severe cold while in Philadelphia and
as it turned into laryngitis, had to give
up her performance. Mary Diercks, the
substitute Brunhilde, was generally
adequate. In the scenes with Wotan
in the second and final acts, Miss
Diercks did very well and her group
OF eight sister Valkyrie were especially
admirable in their ensemble work of the
last act. A better group has not been
heard in Washington.
Karl Joern Good.
The Seigmund of Karl Joern was very
good. indeed, and quite fulfilled the eX-
pectatlons that he had aroused in those
who heard him sing the role of Loge in
"DaS Rheingold." Anna Schettier
Schorr tWho is the wife of the Metro
polltan Opera singer Friedrich Schorr)
was equally fine as Sieglinde. The two
voices blended excellently in the famous
duet at the end of the first act, and both
singers showed sense of the dramatic
values and possibilities of THAR charac-
tiers that are rarely found in any per-
formances. This same quality of dra-
matte Interpretation was noticeable in
the characterizations of Richard Gross
as Wotan and Ottilie Metzger- Latter
mann as Fricka. They both sang their
roles with authority, the former giving
what seemed considerable improve
ment on his Wotan in "Das Rheingold,"
and they achieved humanness in the
duet of the second act hat effectively
overcame the extreme Iengthiness of
that dialogue. Bennett Challis looked
the part of Hunding, but vocally was
not quite up to the ferocity of his
aspect.
Ernest Knoch, who has been heard
here before, both with the Wagnerian
Opera Co. five years ago, and last sea-
son with the Washington Opera Co.
Shone as the star of the evening-if
there was star. He conducted excel
lently, bringing a dynamic power to
his baton that coaxed his orchestra of
SIS men into admirable volume on occa-
sion and equally admirable pianissimo
at other times. sometimes indeed COM
pletely hushing all of his instrumental
lists to emphasize a dramatic moment
in the action on the stage. Ernest Kroch
is a complete artist.
Superior to First Opera.
The entire atmosphere of the per-
Torrance last night was far superior
to that of the first Ring opera when
shown here. There seemed to be really
sympathetic coordination between all
concerned in the production to give the
best in them with vital energy that
carried over to the audience most
effectively. Also the settings, while
typically authentic, were much better
than those which had been assembled
so hastily for the delayed "Rheingold,"
and the costumes worn last night were
worthy of their wearerS. the gods and
goddesses of Valhalla and the demi-
gods.
S. Hurok, the New York manager
who had just taken over the manage.
ment of this company at the end of the
New York engagement, said last night
that he would like the public of Wash
ington to understand him regarding
his attitude toward the unfortunate
"Bayreuth Traditions" tangle that
seemed to involve the earlier manager,
and the New York critics in heated
arguments. Mr. Hurok said:
Il want to impress upon the public
emphatically that had nothing to do
with previous announcements and pub
licity concerning the 'Bayreuth Festival
in America It would be ridiculous and
absurd for anybody to employ the
slogan, 'Beyreuth in New York by
simply giving eight performances OF
Richard Wagner's operas. There is only
one paper in New York which has
recognized my service to music in
America"
The German Grand Opera Co.,
travelling with $50 persons on the pay
roll, has been accorded cordial recep
ton by newspapers In Baltimore, Wash
ington, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Everywhere surprise has been expressed
at the attacks of New York newspapers
and conviction is spreading that some
thing Is radically wrong with those
criticisms. The German Grand Opera
Co. Is here to stay, arrangements have
been made definitely to establish it as
a permanent organization, giving per-
formances yearly to the music-loving
American public that has shown 1t Is
DESTROYS of more Wagnerian opera"
Tonight the performance of Der
Ring" will be temporarily suspended
while Richard Wagner's greatest work,
Tristan und Isolde" will be given.
The performance will begin at 7:45 pm.
and DR.. Walter Rabl will conduct. The
leading roles will be sung by Juliette
Lippe, as Isolde; Willy Zilken. as iris
tan; Sonia Sharnova, as Brangaene;
In