Quite difficult to read owing to black bar down left margin. “…the music of Richard Wagner is as [illeg.] present generation. For over thirty years this remarkable composer has been [illeg.] his views on the world of art. Not [illeg.] composer has he demanded attention [illeg.] as a letterateur and controversialist [illeg.] kept himself before the [illeg.] and has ridden into notoriety on the unpopularity as well as been fanned [illeg.] of public favor. Of late years [illeg.] ardent disciples in various in various countries have fought his battles and upborne [illeg.]. For some years he had a foothold [illeg.]; but slowly his opinions and [illeg.] have been accepted in various parts of Germany, in England and in America. [Illeg.] it seemed as if he was even [illeg.] popular favor in Italy; for his [illeg.] was given with success at [illeg.] the astonished people of Milan [illeg.] had to listen to the strange strains of [illeg.]. Curiosity for a while prevailed [illeg.]. Wagner received a fair hearing in [illeg.], but one specimen of his genius [illeg.], and the managers of the respective [illeg.] soon learned that they must have [illeg.] their programmes if they hoped [illeg.].

IN AMERICA

It owes to Theodore Thomas and Carl Bergmann whatever reputation he may enjoy in this country. To Mr. Thomas especially is [illeg.] for much of his undoubted popularity [illeg.] a large class of our music-lovers. In [illeg.] Garden Concerts and the Symphonic Soirees many extracts from the later [illeg.] Wagner have been familiarized to our [illeg.]. In the same way Mr. Bergmann [illeg.] Philharmonic Society has occasionally [illeg.] selections from this composer, which [illeg.] been listened to with careful attention [illeg.] not with thorough comprehension. Wagner has never given any intimation of a [illeg.] this country, but were he to [illeg.] certainly would find here many friends [illeg.]. His countenance has been familiar to us by the portraits in the [illeg.] where the composer of the [illeg.] figures by the side of Bach, [illeg.], Mendelssohn and Weber; and his here would certainly awaken a keen [illeg.] his music and in his novel views of [illeg.] and management of the lyric [stage].” Concludes with a few paragraphs about “WAGNER ABROAD.”