“HÄNSEL UND GRETEL : Humperdinck
Original Air Date: 12/29/2001
Cast: Mackerras; Larmore, Upshaw, Forst, Blythe, Josephson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040529 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance is indeed in German and yet is performed by a 100% Anglophone cast. Irony indeed. Mackerras is the most distinctive contributor to a work whose orchestral passages are among its most interesting. Also worth noting is there is a separate listing in MOoD for the English language versions and the German version. But though the language was German it was the same production as premiered in English in 1967-1968 by O’Hearn and Merrill and concluded with these performances in 2001-2. Hansel returned in a new also English language production by Richard Jones in 2007-2008.”
MESSA DA REQUIEM : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/28/1964
Cast: Solti; Price, Elias, Bergonzi, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040534 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This broadcast was In Memory of John F. Kennedy
Although the sound is definitely AM (not what one wants for the Manzoni Requiem), this performance documents three of the most notable Verdi singers of the 20th century: Price, Bergonzi, Siepi. Elias is remarkable for her blend with Price (on many commercial recordings as well) and this is Solti’s final Met appearance (his final full Met staged performance is Aida from December 1963 still awaits rebroadcast on Sirius).
The two performances including the day before the broadcast also included Act 3, Scene 1 of Parsifal with Jerome Hines, Jess Thomas, and Marcia Baldwin.
I’m sorry that is not included but grateful that the Verdi is in MOoD.
PARSIFAL: Act III, Scene 1
Parsifal…………….Jess Thomas
Gurnemanz……………Jerome Hines
Kundry………………Marcia Baldwin
Conductor……………Georg Solti
IN MEMORY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY
Verdi: REQUIEM MASS {35}
Soloist……………..Leontyne Price
Soloist……………..Rosalind Elias
Soloist……………..Carlo Bergonzi
Soloist……………..Cesare Siepi
Conductor……………Georg Solti [Last appearance]”
“TOSCA : Puccini
Original Air Date: 01/27/2018
Cast: Villaume; Yoncheva, Grigolo, Lucic
Media: Live Broadcast SID.18040640 Tags: LIVE; 2018, Puccini
Sir David McVicar’s “smashing new production” is “a grand triumph” (Huffington Post), featuring an exciting cast led by soprano Sonya Yoncheva in the title role of the fiery diva and Vittorio Grigolo as her passionate lover, Cavaradossi. The pair are “youthful, ardent, and innocent … their duets electric, their kisses hot and numerous” (Wall Street Journal). Yoncheva’s sound is “richly textured and shimmering,” and “Grigolo’s Mario is a true hothead … complete with thrilling top notes” (New York Times). Željko Lučić is “an imposing figure with a voice to match” (Wall Street Journal) as the villainous police chief, Scarpia, and Emmanuel Villaume conducts.
Production a gift of Jacqueline Desmarais, in memory of Paul G. Desmarais Sr; The Paiko Foundation; and Dr. Elena Prokupets, in memory of her late husband, Rudy Prokupets
Major funding from Rolex
-metopera.org”
“HÄNSEL UND GRETEL : Humperdinck
Original Air Date: 12/29/2001
Cast: Mackerras; Larmore, Upshaw, Forst, Blythe, Josephson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040745 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance is indeed in German and yet is performed by a 100% Anglophone cast. Irony indeed. Mackerras is the most distinctive contributor to a work whose orchestral passages are among its most interesting. Also worth noting is there is a separate listing in MOoD for the English language versions and the German version. But though the language was German it was the same production as premiered in English in 1967-1968 by O’Hearn and Merrill and concluded with these performances in 2001-2. Hansel returned in a new also English language production by Richard Jones in 2007-2008.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 04/04/1959
Cast: Cleva; Gari, Rysanek, Merrill, Thebom, Hines, Uhde
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050103 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This 5 performance revival are the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward. This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This five performance revival is the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward.
This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.
4/2/12 – Rysanek is in better voice here than her Abigaille referred to above. This performance is available on MOoD and marks Cleva’s only run in Don Carlo. The baton is dominated by Stiedry with 26 performances when it opens the Bing regime, and Levine with 60 performances (!!!!!) from 1979 to 2006 (8 broadcasts and 2 telecasts)
Merrill is the only singer of extraordinary interest; his voice was just about perfect for ANY composer in the 50s, and while extremely phonogenic, the sound in the opera house even more impressive. You didn’t always want to watch his acting. His Rigoletto on Sirius this week has been outstanding.”
“SAMSON ET DALILA : Saint-Saëns
Original Air Date: 12/26/1936
Cast: Abravanel; Maison, Wettergren, Pinza
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050208 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. “
“MANON : Massenet
Original Air Date: 03/03/2001
Cast: Rudel; Swenson, Sabbatini, de Candia
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050209 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.18050210 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.18050211 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.”
“LA SONNAMBULA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1968
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Alexander, Giaiotti, Boky
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050212 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.”
“ELEKTRA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/25/1961
Cast: Rosenstock; Borkh, Rysanek, Madeira, Uhde, Vinay
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050315 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.18050316 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.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 04/04/1959
Cast: Cleva; Gari, Rysanek, Merrill, Thebom, Hines, Uhde
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050319 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This 5 performance revival are the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward. This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This five performance revival is the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward.
This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.
4/2/12 – Rysanek is in better voice here than her Abigaille referred to above. This performance is available on MOoD and marks Cleva’s only run in Don Carlo. The baton is dominated by Stiedry with 26 performances when it opens the Bing regime, and Levine with 60 performances (!!!!!) from 1979 to 2006 (8 broadcasts and 2 telecasts)
Merrill is the only singer of extraordinary interest; his voice was just about perfect for ANY composer in the 50s, and while extremely phonogenic, the sound in the opera house even more impressive. You didn’t always want to watch his acting. His Rigoletto on Sirius this week has been outstanding.”
“MANON : Massenet
Original Air Date: 03/03/2001
Cast: Rudel; Swenson, Sabbatini, de Candia
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050422 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.”
“SAMSON ET DALILA : Saint-Saëns
Original Air Date: 12/26/1936
Cast: Abravanel; Maison, Wettergren, Pinza
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050423 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. “
“DIE WALKURE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/01/1969
Cast: von Karajan; Nilsson, Adam, Crespin, Vickers, Veasey, Talvela
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050426 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.18050427 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.”
“LA SONNAMBULA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1968
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Alexander, Giaiotti, Boky
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050428 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.”
“ELEKTRA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/25/1961
Cast: Rosenstock; Borkh, Rysanek, Madeira, Uhde, Vinay
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050531 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.18050532 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.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 04/04/1959
Cast: Cleva; Gari, Rysanek, Merrill, Thebom, Hines, Uhde
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050535 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This 5 performance revival are the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward. This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This five performance revival is the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward.
This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.
4/2/12 – Rysanek is in better voice here than her Abigaille referred to above. This performance is available on MOoD and marks Cleva’s only run in Don Carlo. The baton is dominated by Stiedry with 26 performances when it opens the Bing regime, and Levine with 60 performances (!!!!!) from 1979 to 2006 (8 broadcasts and 2 telecasts)
Merrill is the only singer of extraordinary interest; his voice was just about perfect for ANY composer in the 50s, and while extremely phonogenic, the sound in the opera house even more impressive. You didn’t always want to watch his acting. His Rigoletto on Sirius this week has been outstanding.”
“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)”