FONTANA DESCENDS INTO THE SEA.
THE SWAN IN “LOHENGRIN.”
The swan and the swan boat in “Lohengrin” are most interesting properties. The apparatus which we illustrate is that used at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, and is the result of many experiments. To understand the action of the Lohengrin swan it will first be necessary to describe the setting of the stage. At the back is a river drop; next come set water rows, gradating in height to the level of the bank, giving the effect of water rushes and reeds, and so set that the swan and boat, in passing through, are enabled to describe a graceful curve. The foreground is a built-up bank the width of the scene. Between the river drop and the first set water row there is space enough for the miniature figures of Lohengrin and the swan to pass across the stage before the real Lohengrin and the swan come into view. The drop and the set water rows—everything, in fact—give the idea of the sluggish Scheldt winding in through the weedy meadows. In order to produce the effect, two entirely distinct trucks are used—one for the first act, when Lohengrin and his swan wind their way among the reeds; and one for the last act, when the swan disappears, and the lost brother of Elsa takes its place. The problem which confronted the property master in designing the first swan and car, that is to say, the one which was to bring Lohengrin, was to devise a method of propelling the truck which carried the swan and the car so that it could be run in a curved direction, adding greatly to the naturalness of the illusion, and rendering the truck capable of being turned in a short space. A three-wheeled truck was built, the top of which was concealed by draperies painted to match the water rows themselves. The truck is propelled by two men seated within it, who shove the truck along by shuffling with their feet on the floor. The first man steers by means of a handle bar which is secured to the vertical rod which carries the front wheel. The swan is fastened to this vertical bar, so that when the direction of the steering wheel is changed the swan also changes its direction. The neck of the swan is built around a steel spring, and the wings are actuated by levers and strings. The second man has nothing to do with steering the car and the swan. His duties, besides propelling the car, consist in inclining the head of the swan and operating the wings. This is accomplished by means of lines which are invisible to the audience. Lohengrin, on reaching the steps at the bridge, in front, gets out of the boat or car, and sings his farewell song. The swan then takes his departure, drawing away the car.
FIRST SWAN AND CAR IN “LOHENGRIN.”
THE DISAPPEARING SWAN IN “LOHENGRIN.”