Washington Journal., 1943-02-19

The King, hearing of this, galloped home to
his capital, resolved to quell the remon-
strances by signal approval Of Wagner on
his own ground in the opera house. There
was to be a special performance by royal
command, and the master himself was to con-
duct.
To silence the wagging tongues of the ladies
of the court the King persuaded his mother,
the Queen Dowager Maria, to attend the
opera with him. Thus the music was to be
faced and public approval won. Indeed the
King felt so sure of his popularity, that he
counted on having the whole theatre audience
on his side the moment he would appear IN
his roval box. when it was the custom for all
to rise from their seats to give him acclaim.
A Court Cabal
"Pfn and "Pfo", apprehending their
further tenure of office to be endangered, met
this bold plan Of their royal master with a
sinister counter stroke.
They packed the opera house with their
henchmen, besides which they caused peril
nent instructions to be given to the paid
~clacoue, cleverly distributed among the audi
ence. The musicians of the orchestra, too,
we're told to await orders while remaining
quiet in their seats before the overture.
furthermore the theatre ushers were hidden
to inform all ticket holders, as they were con-
Quoted to their seats, that the Queen Dowag-
er's health was so delicate that the audience
were begged to refrain from rising as usual
at the appearance of the royalties IN their
box. lest the turmoil Of shutting feet and OF
seats being moved and, above all, lest the
ordeal of having so many opera glasses level
led at the royal box, prove too great a strain
or. the Queen Dowager's nerves.
So, when the King and his mother appeared
in the royal box and the young monarch,
standing erect showed his handsome counte-
nance to all, then instead of the customary
ovation of welcome, but few of the audience
and none of the musicians rose, SO there was
a moments dead silence.
Still some persons, not having heard or
understood what the ushers had whispered,
rose from their seats and began a desultory
clapping Of hands.
Then some others, deeming this a disobedi-
ence to the Kings supposed wish, undertook
to hiss those disturbers down. Thereupon
all the clacqueurs and the ministers bench
men in the audience joined viclously IN the
kissing.
Meanwhile the young King still stood be-
wildered in his box, his wonted rosy face
turning deadly pale. Then his gaze, fixed on
away by a commotion at his side. The Queen
Dowager had tainted, unable to stand the
public affront to her son.
Ludwig picked her up in his arms. Lackeys
rushed INTO the box. Glaring lights OF the
great chandelier remained ON. In the sight
of every one a court physician tried to revive
the Queen. She was stood on her feet, the
King supporting her, and thus was led out OF
the box. Richard Wagner also left the opera
house.
Apparently the people had spoken. "Wag-
.ner must gO!'
On the following day the Munich news
papers on their front pages published a royal
communication to Minister President Won der
Pfordten stating that the King, for the sake
Of his subjects peace of mind, had decided to
request Herr Wagner to leave Munich until
further notice. A few days later Wagner
and Frau Cosima broke up their artistic
household in the town AND departed.
1t was the end Of King Ludwig's dream OF
erecting a worthy opera house for the master
in Munich. It was also the end, until now,
Of public performances by royal command
in the presence of the King. Hitherto the
King had Stunned showing himself to his
court and to the townspeople, though he still
was quite willing to mix among the peasants
in their mountains.
Wagner's Vndication
Suddenly the subdued discordance Of tun-
ing instruments in the orchestra now ceased.
Levy, the leader, took his seat, ready to give
the signal for the overture to begin.
At this moment the King appeared in his
royal box, accompanied by Richard Wagner.
Both stood upright, while the whole audience
rose in their seats and turning toward the
royal box gave an enthusiastic welcome to
the King and the master. 1t was an I'M
mistakable demonstration that the long spell
Of Wagner's unpopularity in Munich and the
Kings avoidance Of showing himself in public
was broken.