MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 11

MUSIC.

.(By Treble Clef.)

The.Nib2lungeri Ring, v' ; '"i V? '. The ''first' cycle of the "Ring" ,came to an end on Saturday with a splendid performance of " Gotterdamnierung" (says "E.A.8.," in the "Daily News" of May 2). 'The week's work has been on' a high level, especially with regard to the orchestra, and Dr. Richter'B conducting. I havo praised his inter--protalions consistently, for they havo had the priceless quality of character."' The rhythm has,been so splendidly vital,, and the music has been so broadly and yot so delicately and ' simply' played. Dr. Richter so well conveys the German sentiment and elemental character of the music. Yet I must,confess I'do sigh for a conductor who will build up more tearing,, terrific climaxes. This emotional stress can bo overdone, but it also can bo under-played, and Richter is inclined to bo -too restrained, i have listened to almost every bar of tho "Ring" this week, and have been entranced by the beauty of much of £bo music, hut as drama—well, I have found it again wearisome, ineffective, and unimpressive. The "Ring" is a hopeless metaphysical muddle. Let not the oldfashioned."Wagnerian shoot hii still more muddled explanation into tho columns of a friendly press. I know all thoso explanations by heart, and I also know from the inherent evidence of the libretto, and tho' actual evidence of Wagner's own accounts of tho "lting" that his plan was changed and altered as he vrroto until I defy anyono satisfactorily to say what the whole work doos symbolise. Salvation by love? Oil, dear no. Love does not save Brunnhilde or Siegfried or Wotan. . Tho power of tho Ring itself is inexplicable, and wanes according to the exigencies of dramatic action.' There is one fine character in the "Ring," Brunnhilde, and she goes to pieces in "Gotterciammerung." Siegfried is a tiresome German oaf and Wotan a self-pitying judaic- bore. Mime and Alberich are pantomime demons, and tho one interesting god, Loge, quite a modern and ironic personage, drops out of tho drama after tlie prologue. Tho .trend of the "Ring" does not move or interest-mo at all. If it means anything it suggests annihilation as tho salvation of tho world, and that doctrine is too negative a?;d impractical.

The Rival Tenors. On the verge of his capitulation from the opcratic held in New York, where he has shown such indomitable pluck, Mr. Oscar Haminerstein made it a proud boast—Mid' a justifiable, one— that he had only ..bad differences of opinion with two of his. artists (luring the whole season. One unpleasant incident .arose from the fact that a prominent member of his company, a .wellknown tenor, refused to go on the stage one evening at a performance of "Tannliausor" when lie discovered that another tenor was occupying a box. For nearly half a.ll hour, consequently, tho curtain had to be kept down until tho artist to whose presence tho recalcitrant artist objected consented to retire from the scene. Looking at. the financial' risks involved, this dearly is not the sort of thing likely to induce anyone to rush into opcratic management. With regard to the pecuniary sklo of things, jlr. Ilaminerstein, mentioned tha t be bad paid in salaries'last season over £250,000, and had expended in scenery and costumes for new operas close o-il £150,000. "There is not," lie added, "a single dollar 1 unpaid for salaries, scenery, or costumes."