The New York Herald Newspaper, August 18, 1876, Page 2

Lilt Po 2 “WAGNER. The Last Performance of the Trilogy at Baireuth AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. The Composer Called Bafore the Curtain by | au Andience of Kings and Princes CLOSE OF A SERIES OF TRIUMPHS. ath of Saghied and Setf-lomdstin of Brunt & Portrayed in fhe Music-Drama [SPRCTAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD BY CABLE.) Barrguru, Bavaria, August 17, 1876. ‘The agony is over, and the grandest of all operatic tonceptions, the music drama over which Richard Wagner toiled and dreamed for twenty years. has deen given to the world tn tts complete form, To- aight the trilogy, or rather quartets of operas, was brought to @ triumphal conclusion with the Tepresentation of “Gdtterddmmerung"—Twilight of the Gods.) Although “Siegfried,” a8 dealing solely With the adventurous history of the hero, who may be considered as the central figure of the music drama, possesses @ considerable share of dramatic interest, yet in point of varied action, wondrous scenic triamphs and vivid tone painting the “{WILIGHT OF THE GODS’? surpasses the rest of the work. In it are concen- trated the choicest gems of the three preceding works, and with thelr crystallized motives as a framework Wagner has painted the grandest musical and dramatic subject that ever entered the mind of composer. Siuce the days { AMschylus no more ambitious effort has been made on the dramatic stage, and since Beethoven laid down his inspired pen, no such colossal music has been heard on the operatic s age. There were nearly 2,000 people present at the clos- ing performance, and when the curtain fell on the magnificent scene of Brfinnhilde’s self-immolation the entire audience rose as one and the building shook with rounds of deafening applause. A NOTABLE TRIUMPH. It was a triumph such as no composer has ever attained during his lifetime, and can only be com- parea to that memorable scene in Vienna when the master of all music masters, Beethoven, was greeted by the acclamations from the ardent Viennese on the Occasion of the performance of the immortal Choral Symphony. Yet the effect at the Festal Theatre at Baireuth to-night was even more striking. Kings, princes, grand dukes, renowned statesmen, famous artists and littérateurs and a host of other celebri- ties cheered vociferously, and the composer came forward and bowed his ackuowledgments to an audience such as never before was gathered within the walls of a theatre. WAGNER'S REMARKS. It was a proud moment for Wagner, the goal for which he bad long and persistently striven. He seemed deeply affected, and for some moments words and voice failed him. He expressed his warmest thanks in emotional accents, and said that he must defer his remarks on the performances for a future occasion. Yet he felt himself impelled to speak of the unfaltering devotion and snblime seif- abnegation of the artists who interpreted his music drama. THE ARTISTS REFUSE TO APPEAR. The artists were then called for, but as they had agreed among themselves not to appear before the curtain in their ordinary dress, lest the illusions of the stage to which they contributed so much should be jost on the minds of the audience, the call was respectiully declined. THE CAST. ‘Thé cast of the “Twilight of the Gods" to-night Was as follows:—Siegfried, George Unger, Baireuth; Gnaser, Sugene Gura, Hamburg; Hagen, Gustav Bietr, Viesbaden; Alberich, Carl Till, Schwerin; Brvenhilde, Amalie Materna, Vienna; Gutrune, Mathilde Weckerlin, Munich; Waitraute, Luise Taide, Darmstadt, THE CLOSING SCONES OF THE TRILOGY. ‘The majestic scene of Siegfried’s death, with its startling surroundings, 80 well befitting the end of such a representative hero, was one to be remem- bered for a lifetime, The hunting party on the Danks of the Rhine, the Joyous spirits of the un suspecting victim of treachery, the dastardly stab in the back, the dying reproaches of the hero and the grand marche funebre, formed a musical and dramatic climax that stirred to their in- most depths the hearts of all present. Then came the wild lament of Brinnhilde and her self-immolation. The horse, Grave, was brou, forward, and as she sprang upon his back and sang her farewell, previous to mounting the funeral pyre of her dead hero, the music assumed an intensity of passion rarely equalled in the entire range of the divine ar. On this wonderful curtain descended for the last ti was ended. scene we and the trilogy Mme. Materna was a superb repre- Sentative of the Valkyr from first to last. Her voice and acting lef nothing tobe wished for tn the delineation of the exacting role of Brannhiide. A REVIEW OF THE FOUR PERPORMANC Looking back on those four performances afew } Fenerw remarks may not be out of place here. “Rheingold,” although it possesses tractions on account of {ts surprising scenic efecta, and also a8 an illustration of the life of the ancient Teutonte divinities, was rather many at- monotonous in a musical point of view. “Die Waikitre” was a decided musical success, especially in certain melodious passages, which were vehe- mently applauded. Those passages were not ex- actly the ones most grateful to the ultra Wagner its, but they were the most appreciated by the ma- jority of the audience. The Ride of the Valkyrs and the fire scene were the scenes that received the largest share of ap- plause. They are so magnificently scored that they must be regarded as two of Wagner’s most powerful creations. “Siegfried” is a unique work, idyllic and characteristic. Butin the finale of the trilogy the rery highest form of musical and dramatic grandeur is attained. A ROYAL BANQUET. ‘The patrons of the music drama, among whom are > Many royal dignitaries, will have a banquet to- morrow evening, at which Wagner will preside and Wii deliver a jong address. ° THE ANTI-WAGNERITES, who came to sco, have remained to praise. Although they stil maintain that melody is com r tm s 2) 8 Sa a a | “TWILIG NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1876.—WITH- SUPPLEMENT. HT OF THE GODS’ Selections from the Last Part of Wagner’s Trilogy—No. 1, Brunnhilde and Siegfried; No. 2, Siegfried and Gunther; No. 8, Brunnhilde’s Farewell. Brixxwipe, Spicnous by its absence in Wagner's works and sneer at that endliche melodie, for which Wagner has abolished the aria proper, throwing we en tire weight of bis musical energy tnto the dla- logue as the chief factor of the action, yet they are forced to admit that the “Ring of the Nibelungen” ts the greatest work ever written by Wagner. They recognize the fact that init Wagner has given predominance to the dramatic over the lyric characterization as subject and poetry de- mandéd. Notwithstanding some acts extend to wearying length on account of the necessitudes of gradual development of action, music and plot, yet every one here admits that the “Ring of the Nibelungen” will stand as a model for future gei- erations of the highest dramatic and musical char- acter, The weather has been charming during the fes- tival. The Emperors of Germany and Brazil left Baireuth after the performance of “Die Walktre” on Monday night. THE STORY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF WAL- HALLA. In “Gotterddmmerung,”’—Twilieht of the @oda—tho . Inst opera of Wagner's Trilogy, the dramatic portion Of the work attaius tts fullest signiflcanca [+ is a very complicated and yet moro interesting story than that of its predecessors. Thero ts a prologue in which the Nornon (Parc in Grectan mythology), spin the golden thread of destiny to the wilds of the German moun- tains «They are the daughters of Earth, and are ae wise as Pailas herself They relate the recent mis- fortunes of the demzens of Walhalla, and they predict worse things to come, The thread of destiny breaks atiastand the Nornen vanish, In the guise of the Fates of the Nortuero mythology we recogni well known featarea of the Khine daughters, to whom we Wore Orst introduced in “Rheingold.” With the @isappearance of the Nornen comes a scene between the hero, Siegfried, and the Walkur, Brano- hilda, The hero, the honeymoon being over, wishes to try his prowess once more, and his wifo, goddess no longer, clings to him lovingly. He presents her with the magic ring, draws the sea of tre around her once more and departs in quest of adventure. The first act represents the castle of Gunther, @ colebrated Rheinish hero, He is anmarried, as is also his sister, Gudrun (Kriemhilda in tho original lted), and he has a half brother in the house named Hagen, an expert in every kind of villany, ‘his worthy ia the son of the Nibelung Alberich, and he is as wicked As ever such a father would desire, Siegfried, untortu- nately, stumbies into Gunther's castle on the Rhine and becomes the point d’awout at once of Gudrun’a love-making powers. The hero's heart being true to the dame-eucircled Brinnhiie Guaother’s sister tries the effect of a potion upon tim. At once he loses his memory and siraightway makes violent love to the lady present He forgets that ever a Walkur existed and Brinnhilde ts left in thecold He oven agrees to help Gunther to carry off the sleeping Bréinohilde from the mountain top, although abthe time he has Rot the remotest idea who Grinnhilde is The two men exchange the solemn oath of brotherhood accord- ing to the ancient rita The eecond scene of the first act brings ua back to the’ scene of the prologue Brinnbilde, alter a short interview with one of her aster Walkiren, is carriod off vy Siegiried, disguised as Gunther, and loses the magke ring of the ‘Nibel- ungeo. Woe are brought back agaim im the second act to Gunther's castio. That cheerfaf individual, Alberich, appears, and advises his precious son, Hagen, to kill Siegiried, the one dangerous enemy of the Nibelungen, ‘and to wrest from him the mage: ring Then Briinn- hilde ana her new husband, Gunther, appear, and the lady swears vengeance ou ber reareant husband, No. 1. She tolls Hagen that Siegfried is mvulperable except in the back, and the son of Alberich promises that bis spear shall reach bis enemy's spine, The next scene {8 on the wooded banks ot the Rising, In the midst of & bunting party Siegfried ta stabbed in the back, and Usgen is bappy. (The last act iscin Gunther's castle, which apons down to the vary boiders of the Rhine) Gudrun, who from the first has known nothing of the suspicions resting on tegfried or of the plots against his lifo, f* anxiously awaiting bis return trom buntioy. The party arrive, but bearing in the body of Siegfried, slain. Then Hagen comes forward, and, as the siayer of Siegtried, claims the ring as bis right Gunther demands it as Gudran’s heritage and the two brothors draw their swords apon each other, Gunther | faille and Hagen attempts to esmatch the ring from _—Stegfried’s fing when, to the horror of all, the dead hand raises itself with a threatening gesture, which appais and intimidates everybody. And now Briinnhilde, who, from ali that has gone before, understands at Inst the treason of ———————_—_ which both she and her husband have been the vic- tims, advances and enlightens poor Gudrun. Tho retainers, at Brinphilde’s command, prepare the hero’s funoral pile on the river’s brink in front of the castle. Briinnhilde will not survive ber husband, Her love determines her to join bim in death, the eame flames shail consume them both The whole concludes with her solemn farewell. at othe) «last «she)§=«o draws = the)=sring = from Siegfried’s Ongor and puts it on her own, Then she calls for tho Rhine’s daughters, declaring that to them she now restores their treasure, which they are to take from her ashes Stogfried is now laid on the toneral pile, Brunnhtide herself takes the torch an@ kindies it, warning those present that when they shall nresentiy seo @ distant blaze to the northward they ~~ may kuow that tho flames have spread to Walhalla, consuming is and all that are therein. Siegtried’® horse, her own, whieh she gave him once in retarn fof his keepsake the ring, is now brought forward, she mounts and instantly the steed, with one spring, , leaps upon the burning pile The flames rise, filling the scene fora moment. Then the waters of the Rhine beyond begin to swell, and presently 0 flow, quenching the fire and spreading to the vory threshold of the ball, Hagen throws himself wildly into the waves after the ring, but the water nymphs have already risen to the surface. Two of them selzo bun, and; twining their arms around lis neck, drag him down into the depths, while Flosshilde, the third, uplifts her band in triumph, holding the ring recovered at last, in the distance, to the northward, is seen the glow of the Walhalia in flames, OUR SELECTIONS FROM THB SCORE. After the Fates spin their yarn of song aad destiny and leave for parts unknown the first interesting featpre of the music drama is reached. It is the part< ing between Briinnhilde and Siegfried. The hero ts tired of Inactivity and wishes to go forth in quest of adventure. His wife, a flerce war maiden of Walhalla no longer, clings to him lovingly. They part with mutual assurances of love, and of the iinpassioned duet that follows we prosent the concluding part, an idy! of Jove and tenderness, As tho Amazon buckles on per hero’s armor and presents him with her favorite steed, Grave, the musical phrases become more and more im- passioned. This duct will be found worthy of the caroe ful attention of those who pretend to have found an utter want of sympathetic tenderness tn all of Wagner's musi The old oath (Briderschaf), by which two knights bound themselves to help each other through every emergency, is portrayed in the most vivid colors in our second selection, in the scene in which Siegfried and the treacherous Gunther pledge each other, ““Preue trink ich dem Freund!” may be considered as the word of bond between them. Nothing can be considered in opera more impassioned and grand in declamatory and tragic power than the lament of Briinnhilde over her hasband’s corpse, It is a long, protracted sceno, the most terrible ordeal, musically speaking, that any prima donna can pass through. We give in our last selection the most strike ing phrase, the cry to her horse, Grave, before she springs on the funeral pile of Siegfried, There ia more action, and, consequently, a greater namber of musical motives in ‘‘GOtterdammeriing” than in theother parts of the trilogy, Itisa sublime ending to tho greatest music drama of the age. MUSIC. ON THE MALL. The Department of Parks announco that, if the weather 1s fine, there will be music on the Mallat Central Park, under the direction of Messrs. Dedwarth and Grafuila, to-morrow, August 19, commencing at four o’clock P. M. MUSIC AT PROSPECT PARK. To-morrow the following musical programme will be performed by Conterno’s Band at Prospect Park :— PART L Grand March, “Krounungs Fest’’. L Eberhard 2 Song, “How Fair Art Thou” 3 Selection, William Tel!” 4 Waltz, “Sprrale 5. Overture, “The Hermit’s Boils’? 6 March, Scotch Melodies, arranged by..L. Conterna PART IL 1. Overture, “Kuryanthe’....... {8 Ballad, “Happy Be Thy Dreams’, R. Thomas 9. Walta, “Die Kifon Reigen’’. +-Gungl 10, Duetto, “La Contessa D’Amalti +. Petrelia 11. Galop, “Sleign Ride’ Folke March, “Killarney” “Home, Sweet Home," BRAVE. A MEMORIAL TO THE DEDICATION OF A SOLDIERS AND SAILORS’ MONUMENT aT BRIDGKPORT-——ITS TRANSFER BY THE LaDIXS TO THE CITY-—ORATION BY GENERAL HAWLEY. Brivaxror?, Cona., August 17, 1876, @espite threatening clouds and failing rain drops this has been a gala day for Bridgeport, it naving beon the occasion of the dedication, with ccronfenies, of the monyment at Seaside Park, erected through the efforts of patriotic isdies to the memory of fallon Union solditrs, The monument, a noble structure of granite $8 feet. high and 23 teet square at the base, is surmounted by a statue in bronze representing America, and above the base, in an alcove ingeniously designed and wrought, stands a statue of the Goddess of Liberty in white marble, supported on either side by two figures in bronze representing the Army and Navy. Toe work has been ten years ia pro» cess of construction and cost nearly $30,000. The cere monies of dedication, which were’ participated in by aetachments of soldiery from the various military or- ganizations of the State, including one company of ine fantry from the Twenty-seveuth regiment, N. ¥.3.N.G., began at three o’clock in the Bridgeport Opera House, tho rain preventing the carrying out of the original programme st the park, by the singing of tho tune “America.” Rev. H. G. Hinsdale, of this city, offered prayer, and D, H. Sterling, Chairman of the Com- mittee of Exercises, stated he object of the assemblage, An original hymn, entitled Toll the boll! the brave are sleeping, ? was sung. Unfortunately, the ceremonies of unveiling the monument by the ladies of the Monument Associa tuon, the receiving and hoisting at haif-mast of the national emblem by ‘the color guard, the firing of mim tute guns, a dirge, and the hoisting a the national flag at full mast had to be dispensed wi Instead of these the igled Banner,” resent joining in the chor Paras in prc mn, of New York, vy. Dr, Alexander R. Thi ered the dedicatory address, which ombraced & of the scheme fora monument and a story one trials and sufferings of those in whose memory erected. t allusion was made to’ the ‘patriotic ‘Mevotion of those who gave themse/ cause of Nberty, the progress of American in: nd the growing refined sentiments which prompted toau- guration of a work now go happily brought to complo- tion. A charscteristic original poem was deliverod by Coloael 5. B. Sumner, GENERAL HAWLEY’S srexcu. General Joseph RK. Hawley, the orator of the day, spoke as foliows:—I had the honor ten years ago to lay the corner stone of the monument which we vay aseemble to dedicate. 1 accepted your invitat gladly, and esteem it an hovor to-day to contribute m, testimony to the excellence of the completed work, You have done well, women avd men of Bridgopert. Think of It! For centuries to come this work will dasa memorial of your love and devotion. Fot ages it will remain looking out upon the waters, speak« ig its silent benediction and coronation, The sume a will be told then, and they who ast told by fathers and mothers in the sane words of veneration It is an Lonor to tako part in these ceremonies. The completion of such monuments is a tribute to the sol- diers who fought in the cause of liberty. They teach the young and help toguard the tuture of the country, There are things more untertunste than having a war, It ts worse Wan war to permit the constitution to be trampled ander foot. The benefit of our late war hag been to make the country feel safer than it felt before, Weare pot afraid now of the whole world, We have & juster self-respect than we had before. Twent} years ago We were the jest of loreign novel writers. alt tts is pow changed, and we bave to thank these dead soldiers for this renewed faith in human oature, ‘The world 18 betier than some people say it 18. Mom are ever ready bo fly to the defenee of might Oat of every twenty menwho walk (hese streets nineteca ean be found willing in an emergency to buckle on the armor of war, and of ihe torty tnillions of our people, umety-nine out of every hundred men capabise!’ bear. ing artos will willingly answer the call to duty im the country’s defence, Such was the character of those whose memory we would keep frosh and green, ‘ihe great lessons of the war show that our boasted patriok isin and reverence for the institutions of our country are not all @bam, but living truths to be perpetdated, This aduress concluded, Whittier’s Centennial hyma Was sung, and Geveral William H. Nobie, in an elo quent speech, formally transferred the snonument im behalf of the assuciation to the city, and Mayor Jartatt Mortord, in his capacity as chie! magistrate, accepted the same in an appropriate respo: The peter ag then joined tn singing “Old Hund: to the words Though far and wide our horoes sivap, es shall their requiem soand, 0, Ferris pronounced the benediction, distinguished invited guesta present Lewis, of New Haven, ex-Congresarfsa g, of Waterbury; Lieutenant ‘Governor Geor; G, Sili and State Treasurer Raymoad, General W. Morris, General G. J. Wuitehend and Colonel Husa, of New York. XAMPLE, On Saturday next the workingmen of Steinway & Sons, 900 in numbor, including the empioyés in Now York and Steinwayville, 1. L, will start for the Con- seontal Exposition at Philadelphia im a special train Jersey City, the firm wel paying ail the expenses of CROOKED WHISKEY, A GOOD Yesterday afternoon John Mahoney, Jr, was com mitted to jail by United States Commissioner Winslow, {u deiault of $4,000 bail, for ranaing au illicit distillery at the corner of Soath Fifth and Tweltth Rnd eta | acized by the Marsal Brookiya, &. D, js valued at several thousand