“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 12/08/2001
Cast: Levine; Morris, Mattila, Heppner, Allen, Pape, Polenzani
Media: MOD Video SID.17460642 Tags: Archive; 2017, Levine, Wagner
A little late for Heppner, but still a fine Walther. An excellent
overall performance.”
“OTELLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 10/13/1995
Cast: Levine; Domingo, Fleming, Morris, Croft
Media: MOD Video SID.17460743 Tags: Archive; 2017, Levine, Domingo, Verdi
This performance is also available as a DVD from Deutsche Grammophon. This was Fleming’s first big success at the Met, and she is a splendid Desdemona.This performance is also available as a DVD from Deutsche Grammophon. This was Fleming’s first big success at the Met, and she is a splendid Desdemona.”
“L’ELISIR D’AMORE : Donizetti
Original Air Date: 04/29/1989
Cast: Panni; Pavarotti, Battle, Plishka, Quilico
Media: MOD Audio SID.17460746 Tags: Archive; 2017, Pavarotti
L’Elisir is arguably the most over broadcast repertory opera on Sirius. The opera is a charming confection with lovely vocal turns for both the soprano and tenor, and meaty traditional roles for the buffo bass and the lyric baritone. For superstars like Pavarotti, Florez, and Netrebko, these parts allow them to slide a little, but just because superstars find L’Elisir handy Met repertory selection in the house and on the radio have become very distorted.
If you look at the MOoD, you see that Aida has 4 videos (including Leontyne Price’s farewell) and 8 audios while L’Elisir has 3 videos (2 with Pavarotti, 1 with Netrebko) and 11 audios (4 with Pavarotti) This 1989 is the fourth of his six Met radio broadcasts.
To be honest the best way to experience Pavarotti’s Nemorino is to hear the Decca studio version with Sutherland from 1970– JoS never did the part onstage, but the vocal gold of this studio recording is anything but hothouse.
Second best way to experience Pavarotti’s Nemorino is his 1978 broadcast with Blegen, Corena, and Sereni. The presence of the two best bass clef singers for this opera and a Pavarotti 11 years younger make for a considerable improvement. It’s on MOoD.
Also on MOoD and where you should listen to life beyond Pavarotti are the 1972 with Scotto, Bergonzi pairing with Corena and Sereni: 4 native Italians savoring the style to a fare-thee well. Bergonzi has an earlier broadcast with Peters and Guarrera in for Sereni, and Peters has a broadcast with Kraus with Corena and Sereni.
All of these are on MOoD and while they’ve all been on Sirius, they are eschewed mostly in favor of more recent performances with less stylish casts.”
“FRANCESCA DA RIMINI : Zandonai
Original Air Date: 04/07/1984
Cast: Levine; Scotto, Domingo, MacNeil, Lewis
Media: MOD AudioMOD Video SID.17480212 Tags: Archive; 2017, Levine, Domingo
This performance is also available on commercial DVD. A bit late for Scotto, but MacNeil makes quite a meal of his Giovanni. I saw Domingo with Kabaiwanska in concert at Carnegie Hall at least a decade earlier where both were in very fresh voice. 7/25/16
***
This performance is the same as the telecast video which is on MOoD and commercial DVD. It’s a bit late for Scotto, but MacNeil makes quite an impression, and it’s a good part for Domingo. 7/29/13
***
This opera returns to the repertory next season after a long absence. Best experienced in the video version available on DVD and Met Player. MacNeil’s role is no cameo. 2/24/2012
***
This is available on Met Player and on DVD. Very committed performances from all, but it is still pretty late for Scotto so not for every taste 7/18/11
“
“FRANCESCA DA RIMINI : Zandonai
Original Air Date: 04/07/1984
Cast: Levine; Scotto, Domingo, MacNeil, Lewis
Media: MOD AudioMOD Video SID.17480529 Tags: Archive; 2017, Levine, Domingo
This performance is also available on commercial DVD. A bit late for Scotto, but MacNeil makes quite a meal of his Giovanni. I saw Domingo with Kabaiwanska in concert at Carnegie Hall at least a decade earlier where both were in very fresh voice. 7/25/16
***
This performance is the same as the telecast video which is on MOoD and commercial DVD. It’s a bit late for Scotto, but MacNeil makes quite an impression, and it’s a good part for Domingo. 7/29/13
***
This opera returns to the repertory next season after a long absence. Best experienced in the video version available on DVD and Met Player. MacNeil’s role is no cameo. 2/24/2012
***
This is available on Met Player and on DVD. Very committed performances from all, but it is still pretty late for Scotto so not for every taste 7/18/11
“
“ARIADNE AUF NAXOS : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/20/1993
Cast: Marin; Norman, Moser, Swenson, Mentzer, Stewart, Oswald
Media: MOD Audio SID.17490211 Tags: Archive; 2017, Strauss
For my money Jessye Norman is much better in her two earlier broadcasts (the first with Andrew Davis conducting, the second with Levine and subsequently telecast). Moser is not my preferred Bacchus, but Swenson featuring more of a lyric Zerbinetta (a la Guden) is very fine. 11/21/16
***
This is Norman’s last Ariadne broadcast and in the new production for her. I prefer the 1988 video (which is on DVD from DG) with Troyanos and Battle under Levine. Swenson has her moments as well. 4/23/12
***
I’m not sure about the interest in this performance. Norman five years earlier under Levine has a sterling broadcast and telecast with King, Troyanos, and Battle. What has NOT been broadcast on Sirius is either Bohm Ariadne : the Met premiere season in 1963 with Rysanek (supposed to have been Della Casa, but with the opera switch from Dutchman, it went to LR). Seven years later features Bohm and Rysanek with King and a delectable performance from Reri Grist. 11 July 2011
“
“SIMON BOCCANEGRA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/03/2007
Cast: Luisi; Hampson, Gheorghiu, Giordani, Furlanetto, Gerello
Media: SID.17490212 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
Simon is one opera that gets regular outings at the Met, though not
necessarily everywhere, starting with the titanic duo of Tibbett and
Pinza, both of whom are still my standard in Simon and Fiesco (but not yet appearing on Sirius). I am not a big fan of Hampson’s traversal of the Verdi baritone repertoire.
This was followed with another MOoD broadcast (video) with Domingo moving up to the title role under Levine. For me the best of the recent SBs was the FOLLOWING year when Levine did a short revival with Hvorostovsky (not always my choice for Verdi either) with Frittoli, Vargas, and Furlanetto, where Levine seems at his most inspired– he’s conducted 1/3 of all Boccanegras at the Met, and this performance is now out on MOoD as well. Somehow this performance did not make it in to MOoD– it should.
SB is rather well represented in MOoD with Milanov, Tebaldi, Bergonzi, but stillno rebroadcast in modern times is the Ehrling 1974 Boccanegra with distinguished contributions by Ingvar Wixell in the title role and Adriana Maliponte as Amelia; Tucker and Tozzi provide solid support. 11/28/2015”
“SIMON BOCCANEGRA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/03/2007
Cast: Luisi; Hampson, Gheorghiu, Giordani, Furlanetto, Gerello
Media: SID.17490428 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
Simon is one opera that gets regular outings at the Met, though not
necessarily everywhere, starting with the titanic duo of Tibbett and
Pinza, both of whom are still my standard in Simon and Fiesco (but not yet appearing on Sirius). I am not a big fan of Hampson’s traversal of the Verdi baritone repertoire.
This was followed with another MOoD broadcast (video) with Domingo moving up to the title role under Levine. For me the best of the recent SBs was the FOLLOWING year when Levine did a short revival with Hvorostovsky (not always my choice for Verdi either) with Frittoli, Vargas, and Furlanetto, where Levine seems at his most inspired– he’s conducted 1/3 of all Boccanegras at the Met, and this performance is now out on MOoD as well. Somehow this performance did not make it in to MOoD– it should.
SB is rather well represented in MOoD with Milanov, Tebaldi, Bergonzi, but stillno rebroadcast in modern times is the Ehrling 1974 Boccanegra with distinguished contributions by Ingvar Wixell in the title role and Adriana Maliponte as Amelia; Tucker and Tozzi provide solid support. 11/28/2015”
“ARIADNE AUF NAXOS : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/20/1993
Cast: Marin; Norman, Moser, Swenson, Mentzer, Stewart, Oswald
Media: MOD Audio SID.17490530 Tags: Archive; 2017, Strauss
For my money Jessye Norman is much better in her two earlier broadcasts (the first with Andrew Davis conducting, the second with Levine and subsequently telecast). Moser is not my preferred Bacchus, but Swenson featuring more of a lyric Zerbinetta (a la Guden) is very fine. 11/21/16
***
This is Norman’s last Ariadne broadcast and in the new production for her. I prefer the 1988 video (which is on DVD from DG) with Troyanos and Battle under Levine. Swenson has her moments as well. 4/23/12
***
I’m not sure about the interest in this performance. Norman five years earlier under Levine has a sterling broadcast and telecast with King, Troyanos, and Battle. What has NOT been broadcast on Sirius is either Bohm Ariadne : the Met premiere season in 1963 with Rysanek (supposed to have been Della Casa, but with the opera switch from Dutchman, it went to LR). Seven years later features Bohm and Rysanek with King and a delectable performance from Reri Grist. 11 July 2011
“
“SIMON BOCCANEGRA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/03/2007
Cast: Luisi; Hampson, Gheorghiu, Giordani, Furlanetto, Gerello
Media: SID.17490531 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
Simon is one opera that gets regular outings at the Met, though not
necessarily everywhere, starting with the titanic duo of Tibbett and
Pinza, both of whom are still my standard in Simon and Fiesco (but not yet appearing on Sirius). I am not a big fan of Hampson’s traversal of the Verdi baritone repertoire.
This was followed with another MOoD broadcast (video) with Domingo moving up to the title role under Levine. For me the best of the recent SBs was the FOLLOWING year when Levine did a short revival with Hvorostovsky (not always my choice for Verdi either) with Frittoli, Vargas, and Furlanetto, where Levine seems at his most inspired– he’s conducted 1/3 of all Boccanegras at the Met, and this performance is now out on MOoD as well. Somehow this performance did not make it in to MOoD– it should.
SB is rather well represented in MOoD with Milanov, Tebaldi, Bergonzi, but stillno rebroadcast in modern times is the Ehrling 1974 Boccanegra with distinguished contributions by Ingvar Wixell in the title role and Adriana Maliponte as Amelia; Tucker and Tozzi provide solid support. 11/28/2015”
“HANSEL AND GRETEL : Humperdinck
Original Air Date: 01/01/2008
Cast: Jurowski; Coote, Schäfer, Langridge, Plowright, Held
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.17490640 Tags: Archive; 2017
Special Holiday Encore Presentation, Original Transmission Live January 1, 2008 This deliciously dark take on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale, appealing to audiences of all ages, was part of the Met’s popular English-language holiday series. Alice Coote and Christine Schäfer star as the famous siblings lost in the woods, who battle the ravenous Witch—a zany portrayal by tenor Philip Langridge—while the Met orchestra, under the baton of Vladimir Jurowski, glories in the rich, folk-inspired score. [metopera.org]SATURDAY AFTERNOON BROADCAST”
“ARIADNE AUF NAXOS : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/20/1993
Cast: Marin; Norman, Moser, Swenson, Mentzer, Stewart, Oswald
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500101 Tags: Archive; 2017, Strauss
For my money Jessye Norman is much better in her two earlier broadcasts (the first with Andrew Davis conducting, the second with Levine and subsequently telecast). Moser is not my preferred Bacchus, but Swenson featuring more of a lyric Zerbinetta (a la Guden) is very fine. 11/21/16
***
This is Norman’s last Ariadne broadcast and in the new production for her. I prefer the 1988 video (which is on DVD from DG) with Troyanos and Battle under Levine. Swenson has her moments as well. 4/23/12
***
I’m not sure about the interest in this performance. Norman five years earlier under Levine has a sterling broadcast and telecast with King, Troyanos, and Battle. What has NOT been broadcast on Sirius is either Bohm Ariadne : the Met premiere season in 1963 with Rysanek (supposed to have been Della Casa, but with the opera switch from Dutchman, it went to LR). Seven years later features Bohm and Rysanek with King and a delectable performance from Reri Grist. 11 July 2011
“
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 12/10/2011
Cast: Nézet-Séguin; Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Braun, Losier
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.17510317 Tags: Archive; 2017
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the
Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing
aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.
11/16/15 – The Met website continues to show the wrong broadcast date (20th) for this performance.
11/9/15 – This is the first time the Nezet-Seguin/Kaufmann Faust has appeared in the archival series. It was on several times including December 10, 2011 which was the Live in HD Transmission (part of Met Opera on Demand video offerings) and a Toll Brothers matinee. Thanks to Wendell Eatherly for listening to this morning’s introduction (I was in the shower and off to work) Contrary to the Met and Sirius’ postings of 12/20/2011 — which was broadcast on that EVENING as part of regular live transmissions, but not part of the Toll Brothers matinees which make up the broadcast base for archival rebroadcast, the December 10, 2011 Toll Brothers matinee is being broadcast this morning. We’ll see how long it takes before the published Met web page shows the right date.
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 12/10/2011
Cast: Nézet-Séguin; Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Braun, Losier
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.17510533 Tags: Archive; 2017
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the
Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing
aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.
11/16/15 – The Met website continues to show the wrong broadcast date (20th) for this performance.
11/9/15 – This is the first time the Nezet-Seguin/Kaufmann Faust has appeared in the archival series. It was on several times including December 10, 2011 which was the Live in HD Transmission (part of Met Opera on Demand video offerings) and a Toll Brothers matinee. Thanks to Wendell Eatherly for listening to this morning’s introduction (I was in the shower and off to work) Contrary to the Met and Sirius’ postings of 12/20/2011 — which was broadcast on that EVENING as part of regular live transmissions, but not part of the Toll Brothers matinees which make up the broadcast base for archival rebroadcast, the December 10, 2011 Toll Brothers matinee is being broadcast this morning. We’ll see how long it takes before the published Met web page shows the right date.
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 12/10/2011
Cast: Nézet-Séguin; Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Braun, Losier
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.17510744 Tags: Archive; 2017
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the
Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing
aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.
11/16/15 – The Met website continues to show the wrong broadcast date (20th) for this performance.
11/9/15 – This is the first time the Nezet-Seguin/Kaufmann Faust has appeared in the archival series. It was on several times including December 10, 2011 which was the Live in HD Transmission (part of Met Opera on Demand video offerings) and a Toll Brothers matinee. Thanks to Wendell Eatherly for listening to this morning’s introduction (I was in the shower and off to work) Contrary to the Met and Sirius’ postings of 12/20/2011 — which was broadcast on that EVENING as part of regular live transmissions, but not part of the Toll Brothers matinees which make up the broadcast base for archival rebroadcast, the December 10, 2011 Toll Brothers matinee is being broadcast this morning. We’ll see how long it takes before the published Met web page shows the right date.
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.”
“ELEKTRA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 02/23/1952
Cast: Reiner; Varnay, Wegner, Höngen, Schöffler, Svanholm
Media: MOD Audio SID.18010102 Tags: Archive; 2017, Strauss
The Met premiere of Elektra was broadcast in 1932 with Gertude Kappel making a memorable appearance in the title role. I have only heard parts of this, but the whole broadcast does survive. The remaining four performances that season had Rossini’s Il Signor Bruschino as a curtain raiser.
The 1938 revival with Rose Pauly was not broadcast and was paired with Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (from Trittico) for the first four, and the fifth was with Menotti’s Amelia goes to the ball.
The 1952 broadcast featured this week is the first broadcast in 20 years and features Varnay at the ripe age of 34 in the title role. She went on to sing the role all over the world for two decades before moving on to Klytemnestra.
Reiner had conducted a groundbreaking Salome in 1949 with Welitsch, and conducted Varnay in the last two Salomes of the 1952 season after this run of 5 Elektras. I can’t think of a singer (all of 34) who did both title roles in the same season.
This is available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) as
well.
2/6/2012 – This is not a premiere on Sirius, but it is not played often enough. Reiner and Varnay are in tremendous form–one of her very best roles, and this revival was the first at the Met in more than a decade. Reiner was a supreme Straussian. He broadcast Salome with Welitsch, this Elektra, and 3 Rosenkavaliers, 2 with Steber (1 with Stevens, 1 with Novotna) and one with Varnay as Marie Therese. The only thing more interesting about that broadcast would have been to SEE her as Marie Therese. Let’s hear it for the unearthing of Varnay’s Rosenkavalier. Until then, enjoy the House of Mycenae from this February 1952 matinee.
3/11/2011 – Reiner is a great Straussian, and Varnay a great Elektra. That’s quite enough for me. The only broadcast Elektra to precede this is 1932 with Gertrude Kappel. Alas, I do not believe this 1952 performance survives. Certainly I’ve never heard it. The reviews are ecstatic.
The 1966 performance which features Resnik’s only Met broadcast Klytemnestra I would like to hear again (it hasn’t been on Sirius). Nilsson and Rysanek are well caught 5 years later with Bohm; Madeira is at the very end of her career and not well served. Ute Vinzing (with Christa Ludwig as Klytemnestra) and Penelope Daner (with Rysanek as Klytemnestra), both under Levine have not been on Sirius, and i would especially like to hear the Vinzing performance
again. Daner had replaced Behrens for all performances after the premiere of the new production.
Two years after the disastrous Behrens premiere (the Times gave a glowing review to her for a performance that I thought would be interrupted at any moment) , Behrens returned in much-restored voice, and that broadcast was captured in a video with Fassbander that is in the Levine 40th DVD box set as well as Sirius broadcasting.”
“HAMLET : Thomas
Original Air Date: 03/27/2010
Cast: Langrée; Keenlyside, Petersen, Larmore, Morris, Spence
Media: MOD Video SID.18010104 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the only Met broadcast of the Thomas work. Keenlyside has a commercial DVD in the same production with Dessay from Barcelona 2004. Petersen was a late substitute for Dessay for the whole run. Larmoreis especially vivid as Gertrude, part of her movement into dramatic mezzo/soprano parts.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 11/11/1950
Cast: Stiedry; Bjorling, Rigal, Merrill, Barbieri, Siepi, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18010208 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the production that opened the Bing regime in 1950, and re-introduces Don Carlo to New York audiences. The men are the equal or superior of just about anyone who has ever sung these roles.
Barbieri was new, and if Eboli was not quite her meat as much as her Amneris, Azucena, and Quickly, she was still the Eboli of choice when the sainted Covent Garden production of 1958 made the case in London for the opera 8 years later. New York was to see more sensational Ebolis in the 1960s with Bumbry, Cossotto, and Verrett delivering masterful portrayals of the Princess. Rigal would not have seemed quite so short of desirable had she had less outstanding colleagues.
Elisabetta remains a challenging role, and though never essayed by Milanov (then the queen of Verdi in New York) or Tebaldi (never did the part onstage), the part didn’t turn out to be a major success for either Steber or Rysanek, though both have their moments in the role. Caballe, Freni, Kabaiwanska and Millo all were notable exponents, but runs were very limited. Scotto is mostly very good (not too late, not too heavy, but still not quite the right voice, if still wonderful stylistically. A propos the discussion on Verdi sopranos, Leontyne Price never did the part, which is unsurprising as it does not play to her considerable Verdian strengths—but that’s another discussion.
Siepi’s contribution is particularly important in that he opens and closes the Bing regime as Filippo, and it is a shame that the April 1972 performance has not been rebroadcast. Three veterans of the 1950 broadcast, Merrill, Siepi, and Amara (Celestial Voice) as well as two new Verdian stars in Caballe and Milnes.
1/23/2012 – How can a week get off to a bad start with Bing’s first presentation as General Manager to the Met in 1950 and the debuts of Siepi and Barbieri? The addition of Bjorling, Merrill, and Hines didn’t hurt. Rigal was a less notable debuting commodity, but this was the Don Carlo production that started the revival of interest which moved to another level with the Giulini/Visconti production at Covent Garden. Bing entrusted Stiedry with a number of his marquee productions in Verdi, Wagner, and Mozart. The sound is a little cramped, but there is no Bjorling studio or other live performance that captures him in this role. Not quite at the level of his Romeo which is one of the great Met performances ever, but my only sadness is that nothing of the video survives of the TELECAST of opening night.
1/30/2011 – A legendary performance and with good reason. Rigal not at the level of the others, but so grateful that it survives in as good a sound as it does. Also available on Met Player.
5/1/2008 – This performance has not been invisible, but for younger Sirius listeners this is a must have. Again, Bjorling did not record it commercially, and though never acclaimed as an actor, his live performances have a juice that his fine studio recordings never had. Exhibit A is the recent broadcast of the 1956 Manon Lescaut. “
“ELEKTRA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 02/23/1952
Cast: Reiner; Varnay, Wegner, Höngen, Schöffler, Svanholm
Media: MOD Audio SID.18010318 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
The Met premiere of Elektra was broadcast in 1932 with Gertude Kappel making a memorable appearance in the title role. I have only heard parts of this, but the whole broadcast does survive. The remaining four performances that season had Rossini’s Il Signor Bruschino as a curtain raiser.
The 1938 revival with Rose Pauly was not broadcast and was paired with Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (from Trittico) for the first four, and the fifth was with Menotti’s Amelia goes to the ball.
The 1952 broadcast featured this week is the first broadcast in 20 years and features Varnay at the ripe age of 34 in the title role. She went on to sing the role all over the world for two decades before moving on to Klytemnestra.
Reiner had conducted a groundbreaking Salome in 1949 with Welitsch, and conducted Varnay in the last two Salomes of the 1952 season after this run of 5 Elektras. I can’t think of a singer (all of 34) who did both title roles in the same season.
This is available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) as
well.
2/6/2012 – This is not a premiere on Sirius, but it is not played often enough. Reiner and Varnay are in tremendous form–one of her very best roles, and this revival was the first at the Met in more than a decade. Reiner was a supreme Straussian. He broadcast Salome with Welitsch, this Elektra, and 3 Rosenkavaliers, 2 with Steber (1 with Stevens, 1 with Novotna) and one with Varnay as Marie Therese. The only thing more interesting about that broadcast would have been to SEE her as Marie Therese. Let’s hear it for the unearthing of Varnay’s Rosenkavalier. Until then, enjoy the House of Mycenae from this February 1952 matinee.
3/11/2011 – Reiner is a great Straussian, and Varnay a great Elektra. That’s quite enough for me. The only broadcast Elektra to precede this is 1932 with Gertrude Kappel. Alas, I do not believe this 1952 performance survives. Certainly I’ve never heard it. The reviews are ecstatic.
The 1966 performance which features Resnik’s only Met broadcast Klytemnestra I would like to hear again (it hasn’t been on Sirius). Nilsson and Rysanek are well caught 5 years later with Bohm; Madeira is at the very end of her career and not well served. Ute Vinzing (with Christa Ludwig as Klytemnestra) and Penelope Daner (with Rysanek as Klytemnestra), both under Levine have not been on Sirius, and i would especially like to hear the Vinzing performance
again. Daner had replaced Behrens for all performances after the premiere of the new production.
Two years after the disastrous Behrens premiere (the Times gave a glowing review to her for a performance that I thought would be interrupted at any moment) , Behrens returned in much-restored voice, and that broadcast was captured in a video with Fassbander that is in the Levine 40th DVD box set as well as Sirius broadcasting.”
“HAMLET : Thomas
Original Air Date: 03/27/2010
Cast: Langrée; Keenlyside, Petersen, Larmore, Morris, Spence
Media: MOD Video SID.18010320 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the only Met broadcast of the Thomas work. Keenlyside has a commercial DVD in the same production with Dessay from Barcelona 2004. Petersen was a late substitute for Dessay for the whole run. Larmoreis especially vivid as Gertrude, part of her movement into dramatic mezzo/soprano parts.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 11/11/1950
Cast: Stiedry; Bjorling, Rigal, Merrill, Barbieri, Siepi, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18010424 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the production that opened the Bing regime in 1950, and re-introduces Don Carlo to New York audiences. The men are the equal or superior of just about anyone who has ever sung these roles.
Barbieri was new, and if Eboli was not quite her meat as much as her Amneris, Azucena, and Quickly, she was still the Eboli of choice when the sainted Covent Garden production of 1958 made the case in London for the opera 8 years later. New York was to see more sensational Ebolis in the 1960s with Bumbry, Cossotto, and Verrett delivering masterful portrayals of the Princess. Rigal would not have seemed quite so short of desirable had she had less outstanding colleagues.
Elisabetta remains a challenging role, and though never essayed by Milanov (then the queen of Verdi in New York) or Tebaldi (never did the part onstage), the part didn’t turn out to be a major success for either Steber or Rysanek, though both have their moments in the role. Caballe, Freni, Kabaiwanska and Millo all were notable exponents, but runs were very limited. Scotto is mostly very good (not too late, not too heavy, but still not quite the right voice, if still wonderful stylistically. A propos the discussion on Verdi sopranos, Leontyne Price never did the part, which is unsurprising as it does not play to her considerable Verdian strengths—but that’s another discussion.
Siepi’s contribution is particularly important in that he opens and closes the Bing regime as Filippo, and it is a shame that the April 1972 performance has not been rebroadcast. Three veterans of the 1950 broadcast, Merrill, Siepi, and Amara (Celestial Voice) as well as two new Verdian stars in Caballe and Milnes.
1/23/2012 – How can a week get off to a bad start with Bing’s first presentation as General Manager to the Met in 1950 and the debuts of Siepi and Barbieri? The addition of Bjorling, Merrill, and Hines didn’t hurt. Rigal was a less notable debuting commodity, but this was the Don Carlo production that started the revival of interest which moved to another level with the Giulini/Visconti production at Covent Garden. Bing entrusted Stiedry with a number of his marquee productions in Verdi, Wagner, and Mozart. The sound is a little cramped, but there is no Bjorling studio or other live performance that captures him in this role. Not quite at the level of his Romeo which is one of the great Met performances ever, but my only sadness is that nothing of the video survives of the TELECAST of opening night.
1/30/2011 – A legendary performance and with good reason. Rigal not at the level of the others, but so grateful that it survives in as good a sound as it does. Also available on Met Player.
5/1/2008 – This performance has not been invisible, but for younger Sirius listeners this is a must have. Again, Bjorling did not record it commercially, and though never acclaimed as an actor, his live performances have a juice that his fine studio recordings never had. Exhibit A is the recent broadcast of the 1956 Manon Lescaut. “
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 11/11/1950
Cast: Stiedry; Bjorling, Rigal, Merrill, Barbieri, Siepi, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18010534 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the production that opened the Bing regime in 1950, and re-introduces Don Carlo to New York audiences. The men are the equal or superior of just about anyone who has ever sung these roles.
Barbieri was new, and if Eboli was not quite her meat as much as her Amneris, Azucena, and Quickly, she was still the Eboli of choice when the sainted Covent Garden production of 1958 made the case in London for the opera 8 years later. New York was to see more sensational Ebolis in the 1960s with Bumbry, Cossotto, and Verrett delivering masterful portrayals of the Princess. Rigal would not have seemed quite so short of desirable had she had less outstanding colleagues.
Elisabetta remains a challenging role, and though never essayed by Milanov (then the queen of Verdi in New York) or Tebaldi (never did the part onstage), the part didn’t turn out to be a major success for either Steber or Rysanek, though both have their moments in the role. Caballe, Freni, Kabaiwanska and Millo all were notable exponents, but runs were very limited. Scotto is mostly very good (not too late, not too heavy, but still not quite the right voice, if still wonderful stylistically. A propos the discussion on Verdi sopranos, Leontyne Price never did the part, which is unsurprising as it does not play to her considerable Verdian strengths—but that’s another discussion.
Siepi’s contribution is particularly important in that he opens and closes the Bing regime as Filippo, and it is a shame that the April 1972 performance has not been rebroadcast. Three veterans of the 1950 broadcast, Merrill, Siepi, and Amara (Celestial Voice) as well as two new Verdian stars in Caballe and Milnes.
1/23/2012 – How can a week get off to a bad start with Bing’s first presentation as General Manager to the Met in 1950 and the debuts of Siepi and Barbieri? The addition of Bjorling, Merrill, and Hines didn’t hurt. Rigal was a less notable debuting commodity, but this was the Don Carlo production that started the revival of interest which moved to another level with the Giulini/Visconti production at Covent Garden. Bing entrusted Stiedry with a number of his marquee productions in Verdi, Wagner, and Mozart. The sound is a little cramped, but there is no Bjorling studio or other live performance that captures him in this role. Not quite at the level of his Romeo which is one of the great Met performances ever, but my only sadness is that nothing of the video survives of the TELECAST of opening night.
1/30/2011 – A legendary performance and with good reason. Rigal not at the level of the others, but so grateful that it survives in as good a sound as it does. Also available on Met Player.
5/1/2008 – This performance has not been invisible, but for younger Sirius listeners this is a must have. Again, Bjorling did not record it commercially, and though never acclaimed as an actor, his live performances have a juice that his fine studio recordings never had. Exhibit A is the recent broadcast of the 1956 Manon Lescaut. “
“HAMLET : Thomas
Original Air Date: 03/27/2010
Cast: Langrée; Keenlyside, Petersen, Larmore, Morris, Spence
Media: MOD Video SID.18010535 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the only Met broadcast of the Thomas work. Keenlyside has a commercial DVD in the same production with Dessay from Barcelona 2004. Petersen was a late substitute for Dessay for the whole run. Larmoreis especially vivid as Gertrude, part of her movement into dramatic mezzo/soprano parts.”
“ELEKTRA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 02/23/1952
Cast: Reiner; Varnay, Wegner, Höngen, Schöffler, Svanholm
Media: MOD Audio SID.18010636 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
The Met premiere of Elektra was broadcast in 1932 with Gertude Kappel making a memorable appearance in the title role. I have only heard parts of this, but the whole broadcast does survive. The remaining four performances that season had Rossini’s Il Signor Bruschino as a curtain raiser.
The 1938 revival with Rose Pauly was not broadcast and was paired with Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (from Trittico) for the first four, and the fifth was with Menotti’s Amelia goes to the ball.
The 1952 broadcast featured this week is the first broadcast in 20 years and features Varnay at the ripe age of 34 in the title role. She went on to sing the role all over the world for two decades before moving on to Klytemnestra.
Reiner had conducted a groundbreaking Salome in 1949 with Welitsch, and conducted Varnay in the last two Salomes of the 1952 season after this run of 5 Elektras. I can’t think of a singer (all of 34) who did both title roles in the same season.
This is available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) as
well.
2/6/2012 – This is not a premiere on Sirius, but it is not played often enough. Reiner and Varnay are in tremendous form–one of her very best roles, and this revival was the first at the Met in more than a decade. Reiner was a supreme Straussian. He broadcast Salome with Welitsch, this Elektra, and 3 Rosenkavaliers, 2 with Steber (1 with Stevens, 1 with Novotna) and one with Varnay as Marie Therese. The only thing more interesting about that broadcast would have been to SEE her as Marie Therese. Let’s hear it for the unearthing of Varnay’s Rosenkavalier. Until then, enjoy the House of Mycenae from this February 1952 matinee.
3/11/2011 – Reiner is a great Straussian, and Varnay a great Elektra. That’s quite enough for me. The only broadcast Elektra to precede this is 1932 with Gertrude Kappel. Alas, I do not believe this 1952 performance survives. Certainly I’ve never heard it. The reviews are ecstatic.
The 1966 performance which features Resnik’s only Met broadcast Klytemnestra I would like to hear again (it hasn’t been on Sirius). Nilsson and Rysanek are well caught 5 years later with Bohm; Madeira is at the very end of her career and not well served. Ute Vinzing (with Christa Ludwig as Klytemnestra) and Penelope Daner (with Rysanek as Klytemnestra), both under Levine have not been on Sirius, and i would especially like to hear the Vinzing performance
again. Daner had replaced Behrens for all performances after the premiere of the new production.
Two years after the disastrous Behrens premiere (the Times gave a glowing review to her for a performance that I thought would be interrupted at any moment) , Behrens returned in much-restored voice, and that broadcast was captured in a video with Fassbander that is in the Levine 40th DVD box set as well as Sirius broadcasting.”
“BILLY BUDD : Britten
Original Air Date: 03/08/1997
Cast: Bedford; Croft, Langridge, Morris, Braun, Courtney
Media: MOD AudioMOD Video SID.18020208 Tags: Archive; 2018
This broadcast precedes the telecast performance from 3 days later. The video was recently added to MOoD, and it’s an outstanding performance, starting with Dwayne Croft, and ably partnered by Philip Langridge as Vere and James Morris as Claggart.”
“BILLY BUDD : Britten
Original Air Date: 03/08/1997
Cast: Bedford; Croft, Langridge, Morris, Braun, Courtney
Media: MOD AudioMOD Video SID.18020425 Tags: Archive; 2018
This broadcast precedes the telecast performance from 3 days later. The video was recently added to MOoD, and it’s an outstanding performance, starting with Dwayne Croft, and ably partnered by Philip Langridge as Vere and James Morris as Claggart.”
“BILLY BUDD : Britten
Original Air Date: 03/08/1997
Cast: Bedford; Croft, Langridge, Morris, Braun, Courtney
Media: MOD AudioMOD Video SID.18020637 Tags: Archive; 2018
This broadcast precedes the telecast performance from 3 days later. The video was recently added to MOoD, and it’s an outstanding performance, starting with Dwayne Croft, and ably partnered by Philip Langridge as Vere and James Morris as Claggart.”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1957
Cast: Rudolf; Guarrera, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060104 Tags: Archive; 2018
Guarrera is an alert if not so suave Figaro. Rudolf leads an experienced ensemble. One should listen to Corena here to hear why he’s remains so missed. The Met should release the Berganza 1968 video if for no other reason to preserve his Bartolo.”
“FEDORA : Giordano
Original Air Date: 04/26/1997
Cast: Abbado; Freni, Domingo, Croft, Arteta
Media: MOD Video SID.18060209 Tags: Archive; 2018, Domingo
This is the Met’s only broadcast of this verismo work, and is available on DVD also. This is a solid performance even if it catches Freni in the extreme twilight of a very long career. This is Freni’s penultimate opera performance at the Met, with another Fedora 5 days later. She appears 5 years later in an opening night gala doing Act 2 of Fedora, and she returns 3 years later for an end of season concert that marks her last vocal appearance on any stage.”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1957
Cast: Rudolf; Guarrera, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060320 Tags: Archive; 2018
Guarrera is an alert if not so suave Figaro. Rudolf leads an experienced ensemble. One should listen to Corena here to hear why he’s remains so missed. The Met should release the Berganza 1968 video if for no other reason to preserve his Bartolo.”