The New York Herald Newspaper, August 18, 1876, Page 7

2 “WAGNER. The Last Performance of the Trilogy at Baireuth AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. The Composer Called Before the Curtain by | aa Audience of Kings and Prince CLOSE OF A SERIES OF TRIUMPHS. With of Seofied and Stf-Inmulatin of Brahe, as Portrayed in he Musie-Drams [SPRCIAL DESPATCH TO THE HREALD BY CABLE. } Barrevrn, 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 in its complete form, To- aight the trilogy, or rather quartct of operas, was brought to @ triumphal conclusion with the representation of “Gbtterdimmerung”—Twilight of the Gods.) Although “Siegfried,” as 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 “TWILIGHT OF THE GODS’? Surpasses the rest of the work. In it are concen- trated the cholcest gems of the three preceding works, and with their crystallized motives as a framework Wagner has painted the grandest musical and dramatic subject that ever entered the mind of composer. Since the days ig A@schylua 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 stage. There were nearly 2,000 people present at the clos- ing performance, and when the curtain fell on the magnificent scene of Brinnhilde’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 littrateurs and a host of other celebri- tes cheered vociferously, and the composer came forward and bowed his acknowledgments to an g@ucience such as never before was gathered within ‘the walls of a theatre. WAGNKR’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 lost on the minds of the audience, the call was respectfully declined. THE CAST. ‘The cast of the “Twilight of the Gods" to-night Was as follows:—Siegfried, George Unger, Baireuth; Goatier, Sngene Gura, Hamburg; Hagen, Gustav Viesbaden; Alberich, Broanhiide, Amalie Materna, Vienna; Gutrune, Mathilde Weckerlin, Munich; Waitraute, Luise Taide, Darmstadt, Biehr, Carl Tul, Schwerin; THE CLOSING SCONFS OF THE TRILOGY. The majestic scene of Siegfried’s death, with its Starting surroundings, #o well befitting the end of such @ representative hero, was one to be remem- The hunting party on the banks of the Rhine, the joyous spirits of the un Buspecting victim of treachery, the dastardly stab dered for a lifetime. tn 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 se mmolation, The horse, Grave, Was brought 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 art. On this wonderful se e we curtain descended for the last time, and the trilogy Was ended. Mme. Materna was a superb repre- Sentative of the Valkyr from frst to last. er voice and acting lef% nothing tobe wished for tn the delineation of the exacting rdle of Brannhilde. A REVOEW OF THE FOUR YEKPORMANCES. Looking back on those four performances a few genera remarks may not be out of place here. “Rheingold,” although 1% possesses many at fractions on account of {ts surprising scenic effects, and also as an illustration of the life of the ancient Teutonte divinities, was rather monotonous in & musical point of view. “Die Waiktire” was a decided musical success, espectaily io certain meiodionus passages, which were vehe- mently applaaded. Those passages were not ex- actly the ones most gratefal to the alira 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 @ unique work, idyllic and tharacteristic. 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 ® Muny royal dignitaries, will have a banquet to- morrow evening, at which Wagner will preside and Will deliver a jong address. ry THR ANTI-WAGNERITES, who came to sco, have remained to praise. Although they still maintain that melody is com ee “TW ILIG 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. Brixwnipn, Heil,........-. strah- len - des Le Heil,.....-.--- Brfinn - hild! #43 Sass Soo spicnous by its absence in Waguer’s works and sneer at that endliche meiodie, for which Wagner has abolished the aria proper, throwing the en tire weight of his musical energy into the dia- 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 in tt 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 Walkure” on Monday night. THR STORY OF THB DESTRUCTION OF WaAL- HALLA, In “Gotterddmmerung,”"—Twilieht of (he @ods—tho . Inst opera of Wagner's Trilogy, the dramatio portion Of the work attalus its fullest significanea [1 is a very complicated and yet moro interesting story than th: of its prececessors, There {sa prologue in which the Nornen (Parc in Grecian mythology), spin the golden thread of destiny to the wilds of the German moun- taina They are the daughters of Karth, and are ae wise as Pailas herself They relate the recent mis- fortunes of the denizens of Walhalla, and they predict worse things to come, The thread of destiny breaks atinstand the Nornen vanish. in the guise of the Fates of the Nortuern mythology we recognizo the well known features of the Rhine daughters, to whom wo Were frst introduced in “Rheingold.” With the disappearance of the Nornen comes a tender scene vetween the bero, Siegfried, and the Walkur, Hrano- hilda The hero, the honeymoon being over, wisues to try his prowess once more, and his wife, goddess no longer, clings to him lovingly. He prosents ber with the magic ring, draws the sea of fre around her once more and departs in quest of adventure, The first act represents the castle of Gunther, a colebrated Rheinish hero. Ho is unmarried, as ts also his sister, Gudrun (Kriemhilda in the original ited), and he bas a half brother in the house named Hagen, an expert in every kind of villany. his worthy ta the son of the Nibelung Alberich, and he ts as wicked &s ever such a father would desire Siegfried, uniorta- nately, stumbles into Gauther’s castie on the Rhine and becomes the point d’awout ee of Gudrun’ love-making powers. The hero's heart being true to the damo-encircled Brinnhikie Gunther's sister tries the effect of a potion upon aim. At once he loses his memory and siraightway makes violent love to the lady prosent He forgets that ever » Walkur existed and Briinnhilde is left in tho-cold. He even agrees to help Gunther to carry off the sleeping Brinohilde from the mountain top, although att time he has Rot the remotest idea who Brinnhilde ts The two mon exchange the solemn oath of brotherhood accord- ing to the ancient rita The second scene of the first act brings us back to the’ scene of the prologue Brunnhilde, after a short interview with one of her sister Walkiren, is carried off by Siegfried, dingaised as Gunther, and loses the magse ring of the ‘Nibel- ungen. We are brought back again im the second act to Gunther's castia That cnecrfal indivitaal, Alberich, Appears, and advises his precious son, Hagen, to kill Siegiried, the one dangerous enemy of the Nibelungen, and to wrest from him the magw: fing. Then Brivn- hilde ana hor new husband, Gumiher, appear, and the jady swears vengeance on her reareant husband, No. 1, She tells Hagen that Siegfried is mvulperable except in the back, and the son of Ajberteh promises that bis spear shall reach his enemy's sptme. The ext scene {8 on the wooded banks ot the Rising. In the midst of & bunting party Siegfried ts slabbed im the back, and Usgen is bappy. (The last act isin Gunther's castle, ‘which apens down to the vary bowders of the Rhine) Gudrun, who from the first hag knewn nothing of the suspicions resting on Siegfried or of the plots against his life, * anxiously awaiting his retaro trom bunting. The party arrive, but bearing in the body of Siegfried, slain. Thon Hagen comes forward, and, as the siayer of Siegtried, claims the ring as bis right Gunther demands it as Gudrun’s heritage and the two brothors draw their swords upon each other. Gunther | fails and Hagen attempts to snatch the ring from Stegtried’s finger, whea, to the horror of all, the dead hand raises itself with a Ubreatening gesture, which appals and intimidates everybody. And now Briimnhilde, who, from all that has gone before, undersiands at last the treason of which both she and her husband have been the vic- tims, advances and enlightens poor Gudrun. The retainers, at Briinnhilde’s command, prepare the hero’s funeral pile on the river’s brink in front of the castle, Briinnhilde will not survive her husband. Her love determines her to join him in death, the eame flames shail consume them both. The whole concludes with = by solemn = farewell, At the last she draws the ring from Then she Siegfried’s finger and pats it on her own, enils for the Rhine's daughters, declaring that to them she now restores their treasure, which they are to take from her ashes. Stegfried is now laid on the tuneral pile, Brinnhilde herself takes the torch and indies it, warning those present that when they eball nresentiy soo @ distant blaze to the northward they —————— —__———r may know that tho flames have spread to Warhalla, consuming i and all that are therein. Siegtried™ horse, her own, whieb she gave him once im retarp for 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, Alling the scene fora moment. Then the waters of the Rhine beyond begin to swell, and presently over* flow, quonching 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 selz0 bum, and; twining their arms around lis neck, drag him down into the depths, while Flosshilde, the third, aplifts 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, OUB SELECTIONS FROM THB SCORE. After the Fates spin their yarn of song aad destiny and leave for parts unknown the first interesting feathre 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 quost of adventure. His wife, a fierce war maiden of Walhalla no longer, clings to him lovingly. They part with mutual rances of love, and of the iinpassioned duet that follows we present the concluding part, an idyi of love and tenderness, As the Amazon buckles on per horo’s armor and presents him with her favorite steed, Grave, the musical phrases become more and more im- pagsioned. This duot will be found worthy of the caroe tul attention of those who pretend to have found an utter want of sympathetic tenderness tn all of Wagner's musica The old oath (Briderschaft), by which two knights bound themselves to help each otber through every emergency, is portrayed in the most vivid colors in our second selection, in tbe scene in which Siegfried and the treacherous Gunther pledge each other, ‘*freue 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 husvand’s corpse, It is a long, protracted scene, 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 ery to her horse, Grav springs on the funeral pile of Siegfried. ‘There is more action, and, consequently, a greater number of musical motives in ‘*GOtterdammeriing” tnan in thoother parts of the trilogy. It isasublime ending to the greatest music drama of the age. MUSIC. ON THE MALL. The Department of Parks announco that, if the woather 1s fine, there will be mesic on the Mallat Central Park, under the direction of Messrs. Dodwarth 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’, Song, “How Art Thou”, Selection, “Wil tz, “Spirale Overture, “TI March, Scotch Melodi «Eberhard PART I Overture, ‘Euryanthe’’.. Ballad, “Happy Be Thy Dreams’ ’ bifen Reigen”’.... 22m Peeere 10. A MEMORIAL TO THE BRAVE. DEDICATION OF A SOLDIERS AND SAILORS® MONUMENT aT BLIDGKPORT—1ITS TRANSFER BY THE LADIES TO THE CITY-—ORATION BY OZNERAL HAWLEY. Brivexrorr, Conn., August 17, 1876, @espite threatening cioads and failing rain drops this has been a gala day for Bridgeport, it naving beon the occasion of the dedication, with cerenfonies, of the monyment at Seaside Park, erected through the efforts of patriotic iadies to the memory of fallen Union solditrs, The monument, a noble structure of granite 68 feet high and 23 feet 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 @ 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 pros cess of construction and cost nearly $30,000. The core monies of dedication, which were’ participated in by detachments ot soldiery from the various military or- ganizations of the State, including one company of im fantry from the Twenty-seventh regiment, N. ¥.3.N.G.. began at three o’clock in the Bridgeport Opera House, tho ruin preventing the carrying out of the original programme at the park, by the singing of the 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, entitiea Toll the bell! the brave are sleeping, was sung, Unfortunately, the coremonies of unveiling the monument by the ladies of the Monument Associa tuon, the receiving and hoisting at half-mast of the national emblem by the color guard, the firing of mim ute guns, a dirge, and the hoisting of the national fag at full mast had to be dispensed with, Instead of these the “Star igied Banner,” resent joining in the chorus, sung in grand ev, Dr, Alexander R. Thompson, of New York, ered the dedicatory address, which ombraced & of the scheme fora monument and a story trials and sufferings of those in whose memory it was erected. Eloquent allusion was made to the patriotic devotion of those who gave themselves to the cause of Iiberty, the progress of American institutions and the growing refined sentiments which prompted the tnau- guration of @ work now so happily brougut te complo- tion, A charsoteristic original poem was delivered by Coloael 3, B. Sumner. GENERAL HAWLEY’S SrExcH. General Joseph R. 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 this assemble to dedicate. 1 accepted your invitaty gladly, and esteem it an hovor to-day to coutribate m: testimony to the excellence of the completed work, You have done well, women aud men of Bridgopert. Think of It! For centuries to come this work will stand asa memorial of your love and devotion. Fi ages it will remain looking out upon the waters, speal ing its silent benediction and coronation, The sat story heard now will be told t and they who as! “What ts this??? will be told by fathers and mothers in the saine words of veneration. It is an Lonor to take 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 future of the country. ‘There are things more untertunate than having a war, It is worse than war to permit the constitution to be trampled ander foot. The benetit 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 a juster self-respect thin wo hud before Twent; yeurs ago We were the jest of toreign novel writers. Ail this 1s pow changed, and we bave to thank these dead soldiers for this renewed faith in human oature, ‘The world ts Detter than some people say it 1. = Mea are ever ready to fly tothe defence of riglt Out of every (twenty menwho walk (hese streety nineteca can be found willing in an emergency to buckle on the armor of war, and of the forty tnillions of our people, uipety-nine out of every handred men capable ok bear. ing arms will willingly answer the cail to duty im the country’s defence, Such was the character of those whose memory we would keep fresh and grees, The great lessons of the war slow that our boasted patrio isin and reverence for the institutions of our county: are not all bam, but living truths wo be perpetdated, This aduress concluded, Whittier’s was sang, and Geueral William H. N quent speech, formally transferred the anon: Dehalf of the association to the city, and Mayor J: Mortord, in bis capacity as chie! the sume in an appropriate respon: then joined tn singing “Uld Hundre and Rev. D. Ferris pronounced the benediction, Among the distinguished invited guests presen were Mayor Lewis, of New Haven, ex-Con; Kellogg, of Waterbury; Lieutenant Governor Geor, G, Sili and State Treasurcr Raymoad, General W. Morris + rae G. J, Wuitehead and Colonel Husa, of New Yor! A GOOD EXAMPLE, On Saturday next the workingmen of Steinway & Sons, 900 in number, including the empioyés in Now York and Steinwayville, L. 1, will start for the Co teomal Exposition at Philadelphia im a special train from Jersey City, the firm paying all the expenses of the trip. . r CROOKED WHISKEY, Yesterday afternoon John Mahoney, Jr., was com mitted to jail by United States Commissioner Winslow, iu Geiault of $5,000 bail, for ranaing au illicit distillery at the corner of South Fifth and Twelsth scree! Brooklyn, &. D. The+property seized by the Marebal i vaiued at sevoral thousand dallasa