“LA SONNAMBULA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1968
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Alexander, Giaiotti, Boky
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050638 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Sutherland’s second Sonnambula broadcast and well equal to the 1963 supporting cast for Sutherland of Gedda and Flagello; Both of Sutherland’s Amina broadcasts are on MOoD.
Alexander and Giaiotti are evenly matched substitutes for Gedda and Flagello. Both performances are in MOoD, and well they should be.”
“IL TROVATORE : Verdi
Original Air Date: 02/03/2018
Cast: Armiliato; Agresta, Rachvelishvili, Lee, Kelsey, Kocán
Media: Live Broadcast SID.18050640 Tags: LIVE; 2018, Verdi
Verdi’s blazing depiction of life on the edge returns in Sir David McVicar’s compelling production, featuring Jennifer Rowley as the noble heroine, Leonora, Yonghoon Lee as the troubadour who loves her, Quinn Kelsey and Luca Salsi as his rival, and Anita Rachvelishvili as the gypsy Azucena, whose bloodthirsty curse propels the story. Marco Armiliato conducts.
Production a gift of The Annenberg Foundation
Co-production of the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and San Francisco Opera Association
World premiere: Teatro Apollo, Rome, 1853.
Met premiere: October 26, 1883.”
“MANON : Massenet
Original Air Date: 03/03/2001
Cast: Rudel; Swenson, Sabbatini, de Candia
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050641 Tags: Archive; 2018
I’m not sure if anyone has conducted Manon more than Julius Rudel, the opera having been a mainstay during his NYCO stewardship. This is an OK performance, but wish we could hear the 1959 DeLosAngeles Gedda Manon under Jean Morel as well.I’m not sure if anyone has conducted Manon more than Julius Rudel, the opera having been a mainstay during his NYCO stewardship. This is an OK performance, but wish we could hear the 1959 De Los Angeles/Gedda Manon under Jean Morel as well. This opera is available on MOoD to listen to anytime.
1/29/11 – This is uncommon casting, but maybe one way to start preparing for the new production of Manon. I would be happier if someone would dig deeper into the archives for the single De Los Angeles/Gedda broadcast under Jean Morel from 1959.”
“DIE WALKURE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/01/1969
Cast: von Karajan; Nilsson, Adam, Crespin, Vickers, Veasey, Talvela
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050642 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
To my knowledge this is the only broadcast opera performance (not counting galas) in which both Nilsson and Crespin appear together. This is Crespin’s only broadcast Sieglinde from the Met. It is also Karajan’s final Met performance (he had done the Rheingold broadcast a week earlier (also on MOoD); it is also Josephine Veasey’s Met farewell.
I’m rather sorry that Stewart did not get this broadcast, but he had the first year’s with Nilsson, Rysanek, Vickers,and Ludwig. Adam is experienced (he is in Bohm’s Bayreuth Ring of the same period, but his tone is not so agreeable to me.) This 1969 broadcast is Talvela’s only broadcast Hunding.
The quality of the performance is one of the best postwar Walkures.
2/10/12 -This is one of von Karajan’s two Met broadcasts (the other is Rheingold), and Crespin’s only Sieglinde broadcast. The performance is also on MetPlayer. I’m not a big fan of Adam, but this is still powerhouse casting. Karajan’s conducting is in many ways closer to his early Bayreuth conducting than his 60s studio efforts.”
“DIE WALKURE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/01/1969
Cast: von Karajan; Nilsson, Adam, Crespin, Vickers, Veasey, Talvela
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050743 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
To my knowledge this is the only broadcast opera performance (not counting galas) in which both Nilsson and Crespin appear together. This is Crespin’s only broadcast Sieglinde from the Met. It is also Karajan’s final Met performance (he had done the Rheingold broadcast a week earlier (also on MOoD); it is also Josephine Veasey’s Met farewell.
I’m rather sorry that Stewart did not get this broadcast, but he had the first year’s with Nilsson, Rysanek, Vickers,and Ludwig. Adam is experienced (he is in Bohm’s Bayreuth Ring of the same period, but his tone is not so agreeable to me.) This 1969 broadcast is Talvela’s only broadcast Hunding.
The quality of the performance is one of the best postwar Walkures.
2/10/12 -This is one of von Karajan’s two Met broadcasts (the other is Rheingold), and Crespin’s only Sieglinde broadcast. The performance is also on MetPlayer. I’m not a big fan of Adam, but this is still powerhouse casting. Karajan’s conducting is in many ways closer to his early Bayreuth conducting than his 60s studio efforts.”
“SAMSON ET DALILA : Saint-Saëns
Original Air Date: 12/26/1936
Cast: Abravanel; Maison, Wettergren, Pinza
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050746 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the second oldest Met performance to have been rebroadcast on Sirius — the Lawrence/Melchior Gotterdammerung also from 1936 (but previous season) is the oldest. Abravanel is more remembered as longtime conductor of the Utah Symphony, but his three Met seasons beginning with this broadcast showed him as a sure hand in the French and German wings of the repertory. The principals have plenty of profile, and Pinza is an excellent High Priest. “
“ELEKTRA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/25/1961
Cast: Rosenstock; Borkh, Rysanek, Madeira, Uhde, Vinay
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050747 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
Rosenstock appears for the originally scheduled Mitropoulos who had died the previous November. Still, this is a powerful cast in a masterpiece. The whole cast is top drawer, and highly recommended. This is the only Elektra Borkh and Rysanek ever did together, and they are among the very best in these roles. Nice to welcome this performance to MOoD in their 2014 reissues. For me a highlight of the week.
Rosenstock comes to the Met first in 1929, and left after one season (poor reviews compared to Bodanzky and Bodanzky returned the following season). Rosenstock returned to Germany, then to Japan for the WHOLE WWII at NHK. He gets back to New York, and starts anew at New York City Opera and succeeds Halasz as director in 1952. After 4 seasons as director, he is replaced by Julius Rudel, and then returns to the Met in 1961 replacing the recently deceased Mitropoulos.
He goes on to conduct over 250 Met performances in the next 8 years. including Tosca and Lucia on the Met tour among just about everything. He is a solid conductor, and Borkh in 1961 one of the very great Elektras. “
“DON PASQUALE : Donizetti
Original Air Date: 04/15/2006
Cast: Benini; Alaimo, Netrebko, Flórez, Kwiecien
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060101 Tags: Archive; 2018, Netrebko
I love this performance even though Netrebko is several voice sizes bigger than Florez. They are both star performers, and give high profile performances.
This is the year of the new production, and the unifying presence of Alaimo is no small contribution. I enjoy Netrebko’s HD (also on DVD and MOoD) at the next revival under Schenk, but I’m grateful this performance is in the MOoD.”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 03/30/1991
Cast: Bonynge; Gruberova, Merritt, Gavanelli, Plishka
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060102 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is primarily for Gruberova fans. She doesn’t sing in USA much so just as well since she only has two Met broadcasts, this Puritani and Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. Of greater interest would be her Queen of the Night (Met debut) and the new production of Traviata with Kleiber and Shicoff (neither broadcast; in today’s world of live Sirius, we would likely be hearing both)”
“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.”
“ANDREA CHÉNIER : Giordano
Original Air Date: 12/28/1957
Cast: Cleva; Tucker, Milanov, Warren, Elias, Lipton, Amparan
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060208 Tags: Archive; 2018
As I noted in 2012, I prefer Corelli to Tucker, Tebaldi to Milanov, and Bastianini to Warren in these Chenier roles, but the last four decades have rarely brought one let alone three singers for these roles. So enjoy this 1957 cast with 1966 (which Sirius still hasn’t rebroadcast) with Tebaldi, Corelli, and Colzani probably the last one with such authentic style. I love Chenier, but we definitely don’t have the singers for it. I’m afraid the Met’s 2013-2014 revival confirmed the current state of Chenier singing.”
“ORFEO ED EURIDICE : Gluck
Original Air Date: 01/18/1958
Cast: Rudolf; Stevens, Amara, Cundari
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060212 Tags: Archive; 2018
For me this is much too late for Stevens (She retires in 1960). I did check Paul Jackson’s authoritative volume on Met broadcasts– and he’s at his best in the 40s and 50s, but has nothing to say about this performance.”
“L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI : Rossini
Original Air Date: 02/17/2001
Cast: Campanella; Larmore, Polenzani, Ramey, Corbelli
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060316 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Ramey’s only Mustafa broadcast, and early appearances by Polenzani and Kwiecien who are Met regulars in star parts these days. My own favorite Isabella is Borodina whose performance with Florez and Furlanetto is also on MOoD.”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 03/30/1991
Cast: Bonynge; Gruberova, Merritt, Gavanelli, Plishka
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060318 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is primarily for Gruberova fans. She doesn’t sing in USA much so just as well since she only has two Met broadcasts, this Puritani and Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. Of greater interest would be her Queen of the Night (Met debut) and the new production of Traviata with Kleiber and Shicoff (neither broadcast; in today’s world of live Sirius, we would likely be hearing both)”
“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.”
“ANDREA CHÉNIER : Giordano
Original Air Date: 12/28/1957
Cast: Cleva; Tucker, Milanov, Warren, Elias, Lipton, Amparan
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060423 Tags: Archive; 2018
As I noted in 2012, I prefer Corelli to Tucker, Tebaldi to Milanov, and Bastianini to Warren in these Chenier roles, but the last four decades have rarely brought one let alone three singers for these roles. So enjoy this 1957 cast with 1966 (which Sirius still hasn’t rebroadcast) with Tebaldi, Corelli, and Colzani probably the last one with such authentic style. I love Chenier, but we definitely don’t have the singers for it. I’m afraid the Met’s 2013-2014 revival confirmed the current state of Chenier singing.”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1957
Cast: Rudolf; Guarrera, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060424 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.”
“ORFEO ED EURIDICE : Gluck
Original Air Date: 01/18/1958
Cast: Rudolf; Stevens, Amara, Cundari
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060428 Tags: Archive; 2018
For me this is much too late for Stevens (She retires in 1960). I did check Paul Jackson’s authoritative volume on Met broadcasts– and he’s at his best in the 40s and 50s, but has nothing to say about this performance.”
“L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI : Rossini
Original Air Date: 02/17/2001
Cast: Campanella; Larmore, Polenzani, Ramey, Corbelli
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060532 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Ramey’s only Mustafa broadcast, and early appearances by Polenzani and Kwiecien who are Met regulars in star parts these days. My own favorite Isabella is Borodina whose performance with Florez and Furlanetto is also on MOoD.”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 03/30/1991
Cast: Bonynge; Gruberova, Merritt, Gavanelli, Plishka
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060534 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is primarily for Gruberova fans. She doesn’t sing in USA much so just as well since she only has two Met broadcasts, this Puritani and Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. Of greater interest would be her Queen of the Night (Met debut) and the new production of Traviata with Kleiber and Shicoff (neither broadcast; in today’s world of live Sirius, we would likely be hearing both)”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1957
Cast: Rudolf; Guarrera, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060636 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.”
“ORFEO ED EURIDICE : Gluck
Original Air Date: 01/18/1958
Cast: Rudolf; Stevens, Amara, Cundari
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060638 Tags: Archive; 2018
For me this is much too late for Stevens (She retires in 1960). I did check Paul Jackson’s authoritative volume on Met broadcasts– and he’s at his best in the 40s and 50s, but has nothing to say about this performance.”
“L’ELISIR D’AMORE : Donizetti
Original Air Date: 02/10/2018
Cast: Hindoyan; Yende, Polenzani, Luciano, D’Arcangelo
Media: Live Broadcast SID.18060639 Tags: LIVE; 2018
Pretty Yende debuts a new role at the Met with her first Adina opposite Matthew Polenzani, who enthralled Met audiences as Nemorino in 2013 with his ravishing “Una furtiva lagrima.” Bartlett Sher’s production is charming, with deft comedic timing, but also emotionally revealing. Domingo Hindoyan conducts. (metopera.org) “
“ANDREA CHÉNIER : Giordano
Original Air Date: 12/28/1957
Cast: Cleva; Tucker, Milanov, Warren, Elias, Lipton, Amparan
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060745 Tags: Archive; 2018
As I noted in 2012, I prefer Corelli to Tucker, Tebaldi to Milanov, and Bastianini to Warren in these Chenier roles, but the last four decades have rarely brought one let alone three singers for these roles. So enjoy this 1957 cast with 1966 (which Sirius still hasn’t rebroadcast) with Tebaldi, Corelli, and Colzani probably the last one with such authentic style. I love Chenier, but we definitely don’t have the singers for it. I’m afraid the Met’s 2013-2014 revival confirmed the current state of Chenier singing.”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 03/30/1991
Cast: Bonynge; Gruberova, Merritt, Gavanelli, Plishka
Media: MOD Audio SID.18060748 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is primarily for Gruberova fans. She doesn’t sing in USA much so just as well since she only has two Met broadcasts, this Puritani and Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. Of greater interest would be her Queen of the Night (Met debut) and the new production of Traviata with Kleiber and Shicoff (neither broadcast; in today’s world of live Sirius, we would likely be hearing both)”
“L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI : Rossini
Original Air Date: 02/17/2001
Cast: Campanella; Larmore, Polenzani, Ramey, Corbelli
Media: MOD Audio SID.18070101 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Ramey’s only Mustafa broadcast, and early appearances by Polenzani and Kwiecien who are Met regulars in star parts these days. My own favorite Isabella is Borodina whose performance with Florez and Furlanetto is also on MOoD.”
“MADAMA BUTTERFLY : Puccini
Original Air Date: 01/01/1966
Cast: Schick; Scotto, Alexander, Grillo, Dunlap, Schmorr
Media: MOD Audio SID.18070102 Tags: Archive; 2018, Puccini
This is *Scotto*’s first broadcast, after debuting the previous October.
This EVENING broadcast had one of the more infamous Singers Roundtables as I remember (Milanov and Gedda come to mind) remember but alas we never get the interrmission features. I don’t much care for *Dunlap* as Sharpless, but *Scotto* is a major *Butterfly*.”
“FIDELIO : Beethoven
Original Air Date: 12/07/2002
Cast: Schneider; Meier, Botha, Fink, Salminen, Hong, Clarke
Media: MOD Audio SID.18070208 Tags: Archive; 2018
Botha sings well enough, as does Fink. Maybe I will be more impressed by Meier and Schneider this time around.
Salminen does not appear often outside the Wagner repertory at the Met and this is a particularly congenial role for him.
Schneider is not famous as an inspiring conductor. It’s not a weak cast.
Available in MOoD”
“VANESSA : Barber
Original Air Date: 04/03/1965
Cast: Steinberg; Costa, Alexander, Elias, Thebom, Tozzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18070212 Tags: Archive; 2018
The Met does well by Samuel Barber, and regularly programs on Sirius the Steber world premiere season broadcast from 1958. Elias and Tozzi remain from the original cast under William Steinberg. The skating aria for Vanessa is gone by this revival, another reason to check out the Steber broadcast in MOoD.”
“RODELINDA : Handel
Original Air Date: 01/01/2005
Cast: Bicket; Fleming, Daniels, van Rensburg, Blythe, Mehta, Relyea
Media: MOD Audio SID.18070213 Tags: Archive; 2018
Fleming is the star in all three seasons of Rodelinda at the Met, and the first two broadcasts from 2005 (this one) and 2006 have a major shift with Bicket handing over to Patrick Summers, and the lead countertenor role from David Daniels to Andreas Scholl. The telecast/moviecast is on Decca DVD and in MOoD comes five years later in 2011 and returns Bicket to the podium, but for my money finds Scholl in considerably diminished form compared to his excellent effort in 2006. I’m not a big fan of Handel, and while several of the individual arias are notable, the absence of ensembles (except for the glorious duet for Blythe with the lead countertenor) and the ABA aria style make for a long afternoon or evening of listening or watching. The comings and goings of Rodelinda at the Met are well documented in MOoD, and this first broadcast is a good place to start.”