“DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
Cast: Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140424 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon.
This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next.
To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met
audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140425 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140426 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/01/1997
Cast: Müller; Swenson, Neill, Hampson, Miles
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140534 Tags: Archive; 2018
The Netrebko video and the Gruberova and Sutherland Elviras are all available in MOoD as well as this one. Swenson has an attractive voice, but I don’t find her especially compelling, and the supporting cast is much better on the other performances. Cavalleria/ Pagliacci from 1988 and Idomeneo from 1991 are added into the schedule beginning Wednesday.”
“DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
Cast: Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140641 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon.
This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next.
To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met
audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140642 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140743 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“EUGENE ONEGIN : Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 02/23/2002
Cast: Jurowski; Hampson, Kringelborn, Giordani, Karnéus, Lloyd
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140749 Tags: Archive; 2018
Jurowski is on especially congenial turf, but my memories of Kringelborn are not quite so positive. Hampson has a commercial Onegin in English with te Kanawa under Mackerras. I love the opera, but my favorite Met archival broadcasts are with Yuri Mazurok –he has two Onegin broadcasts from 1979 (adjacent season).”
“ANDREA CHÉNIER : Giordano
Original Air Date: 12/22/1990
Cast: Rudel; Martinucci, Millo, Milnes, Kesling, Castle, Johnson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150102 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance marks the 25th anniversary of Milnes’ Met debut, and he goes on to 1997. Millo and Martinucci are authentic Italianate performances with voices well suited to the roles, This is actually some of the best casting of the last 25 years for this opera.”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 02/19/1955
Cast: Monteux; Peerce, de los Angeles, Siepi, Merrill, Miller
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150211 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the second of Monteux’s three Faust broadcasts, the first one also including DeLosAngeles and Merrill. Paul Jackson, in is second volume reviewing Met broadcasts, Sign-off for the Old Met, is very favorable towards all three of them, a bit less so for Peerce and Siepi. I don’t have his reticence about Siepi and am glad this performance isvavailable on MOoD.”
“DER ROSENKAVALIER : Strauss
Original Air Date: 12/19/1964
Cast: Schippers; Della Casa, Schwarzkopf, Edelmann, Raskin, Dönch
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150212 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
Della Casa, a famous Marschallin in her own right, does her first Octavian with the Met in this series of performances. It’s not quite an ideal fit even if very starry. Schwarzkopf was certainly the most famous postwar Marschallin and is here in one of her only 2 Met broadcast appearances– the latter an unintentional Met farewell in a most unsatisfactory Donna Elvira 2 years later.”
“CAPRICCIO : Strauss
Original Air Date: 01/31/1998
Cast: Davis; Te Kanawa, Rootering, Kuebler, Keenlyside, Brendel, Harries
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150214 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
The Met has only had two matinee broadcasts for Strauss’ final work: this one with Te Kanawa and Fleming in 2012. Andrew Davis conducted both revivals.
Clairon was a famous role for Troyanos and luckily it is captured on a San Francisco telecast with Te Kanawa, but she died in 1993, which I guess is one reason for the more lightweight casting. Te Kanawa is definitely worth hearing.”
“ANDREA CHÉNIER : Giordano
Original Air Date: 12/22/1990
Cast: Rudel; Martinucci, Millo, Milnes, Kesling, Castle, Johnson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150319 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance marks the 25th anniversary of Milnes’ Met debut, and he goes on to 1997. Millo and Martinucci are authentic Italianate performances with voices well suited to the roles, This is actually some of the best casting of the last 25 years for this opera.”
“DER ROSENKAVALIER : Strauss
Original Air Date: 12/19/1964
Cast: Schippers; Della Casa, Schwarzkopf, Edelmann, Raskin, Dönch
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150424 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
Della Casa, a famous Marschallin in her own right, does her first Octavian with the Met in this series of performances. It’s not quite an ideal fit even if very starry. Schwarzkopf was certainly the most famous postwar Marschallin and is here in one of her only 2 Met broadcast appearances– the latter an unintentional Met farewell in a most unsatisfactory Donna Elvira 2 years later.”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 02/19/1955
Cast: Monteux; Peerce, de los Angeles, Siepi, Merrill, Miller
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150529 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the second of Monteux’s three Faust broadcasts, the first one also including DeLosAngeles and Merrill. Paul Jackson, in is second volume reviewing Met broadcasts, Sign-off for the Old Met, is very favorable towards all three of them, a bit less so for Peerce and Siepi. I don’t have his reticence about Siepi and am glad this performance isvavailable on MOoD.”
“CAPRICCIO : Strauss
Original Air Date: 01/31/1998
Cast: Davis; Te Kanawa, Rootering, Kuebler, Keenlyside, Brendel, Harries
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150531 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
The Met has only had two matinee broadcasts for Strauss’ final work: this one with Te Kanawa and Fleming in 2012. Andrew Davis conducted both revivals.
Clairon was a famous role for Troyanos and luckily it is captured on a San Francisco telecast with Te Kanawa, but she died in 1993, which I guess is one reason for the more lightweight casting. Te Kanawa is definitely worth hearing.”
“ANDREA CHÉNIER : Giordano
Original Air Date: 12/22/1990
Cast: Rudel; Martinucci, Millo, Milnes, Kesling, Castle, Johnson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150636 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance marks the 25th anniversary of Milnes’ Met debut, and he goes on to 1997. Millo and Martinucci are authentic Italianate performances with voices well suited to the roles, This is actually some of the best casting of the last 25 years for this opera.”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 02/19/1955
Cast: Monteux; Peerce, de los Angeles, Siepi, Merrill, Miller
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150744 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the second of Monteux’s three Faust broadcasts, the first one also including DeLosAngeles and Merrill. Paul Jackson, in is second volume reviewing Met broadcasts, Sign-off for the Old Met, is very favorable towards all three of them, a bit less so for Peerce and Siepi. I don’t have his reticence about Siepi and am glad this performance isvavailable on MOoD.”
“CAPRICCIO : Strauss
Original Air Date: 01/31/1998
Cast: Davis; Te Kanawa, Rootering, Kuebler, Keenlyside, Brendel, Harries
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150747 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
The Met has only had two matinee broadcasts for Strauss’ final work: this one with Te Kanawa and Fleming in 2012. Andrew Davis conducted both revivals.
Clairon was a famous role for Troyanos and luckily it is captured on a San Francisco telecast with Te Kanawa, but she died in 1993, which I guess is one reason for the more lightweight casting. Te Kanawa is definitely worth hearing.”
“ERNANI : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/29/1956
Cast: Mitropoulos; Del Monaco, Milanov, Warren, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160103 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the first Met broadcast of Ernani, and although Del Monaco is slightly better in his Florence broadcast with Cerquetti, he is the Verdian bandit to the life. This is a bit late for Milanov, but Warren and Siepi are certainly top drawer as well. Mitropoulos brings his accustomed fire and a few odd choices in musical text. Not a bad preparation for the revival coming in February with Meade.
I love Ernani, but I don’t love this performance. Mitropoulos and Del Monaco are better represented from Florence, and this part is simply too late for Milanov. This part is HARD– check Freni’s challenge at La Scala. Ernani involvami demands full blown coloratura mastery from the moment you open your mouth, and while the rest of the role is mostly ensembles, it’s challenging. Leona Mitchell is mostly very up to the challenges. Two good stabs at the part were NOT broadcast, Arroyo’s
opening night with Bergonzi and Milnes, and Millo, (2 in the house, 4 in the parks very early in her Met career). The good news on Ernani is the complete Met broadcast history is documented on Sirius.
The Met trots out its star Verdians for the first appearance of Ernani in a quarter century. It’s a bit too late for Milanov, but Del Monaco and Siepi are in especially fine form. This is also available on MOoD.
Elvira is definitely a bit late for Milanov, but the men are the best in the business for these roles in 1956, and all among the greatest ever in these roles.”
“DIE WALKUERE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/24/1968
Cast: Klobucar; Nilsson, Stewart, Rysanek, Vickers, Ludwig, Ridderbusch
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160104 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This performance has been issued on Sony Historic CD, and certainly has the cream of the crop of contemporary Wagnerians. It’s also available on MOoD. Highly recommended.”
“DIE WALKUERE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/24/1968
Cast: Klobucar; Nilsson, Stewart, Rysanek, Vickers, Ludwig, Ridderbusch
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160105 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This performance has been issued on Sony Historic CD, and certainly has the cream of the crop of contemporary Wagnerians. It’s also available on MOoD. Highly recommended.”
“IL PIRATA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/08/2003
Cast: Campanella; Fleming, Giordani, Croft
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160106 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the Met premiere of Pirata and to date its only broadcast season, but I don’t find either the soprano or tenor quite right for their parts. This was the performance that started me on my Giordani no listen zone. I was lucky enough to see Caballe do a stage Pirata (2x) in Philadelphia, and she was almost ideally cast. Fleming is a versatile, highly skilled singer, but this part was not for her.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 04/05/1952
Cast: Stiedry; Tucker, Rigal, Silveri, Barbieri, Hines, Hotter
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160212 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the first of Tucker’s three Don Carlo broadcasts, and I find his 1955 preferable. What I’ve never heard, but also from 1952 (but next season) is his second which has a better supporting cast with Merrill for Silveri, and Siepi for Hines as Filippo; Erede is in the pit for his only Don Carlo broadcast. May we hear this please?
This is most distinctive for being Tucker’s first Don Carlo broadcast and one of Hotter’s few. Tucker broadcast the opera again 8 months later in 1952 (but new season) with the production opening night cast (Merrill and Siepi replacing Silveri and Hines, and him of course replacing Bjorling) I’ve never heard this second 1952 broadcast.
Also unusual is that though Tucker went on to sing the opera for 15 more years after his 1955 broadcast with Steber, he never went to the airwaves for it again. At 26 performances, he is by far the Don Carlo champion– I saw him in it three times. most notably at a fall 1968 matinee not broadcast with (Orlandi, Verrett, Merrill, Ghiaurov, and Talvela under Abbado).
Bing did not see Hotter in leading roles and in Walkure he was cast as
Hunding, not Wotan. What has not been rebroadcast on Sirius is Hotter’s
farewell which is a 1954 Parsifal with Svanholm, Varnay, and London, and Hotter as Gurnemanz under Stiedry. I would love to hear that.”
“ERNANI : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/29/1956
Cast: Mitropoulos; Del Monaco, Milanov, Warren, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160320 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the first Met broadcast of Ernani, and although Del Monaco is slightly better in his Florence broadcast with Cerquetti, he is the Verdian bandit to the life. This is a bit late for Milanov, but Warren and Siepi are certainly top drawer as well. Mitropoulos brings his accustomed fire and a few odd choices in musical text. Not a bad preparation for the revival coming in February with Meade.
I love Ernani, but I don’t love this performance. Mitropoulos and Del Monaco are better represented from Florence, and this part is simply too late for Milanov. This part is HARD– check Freni’s challenge at La Scala. Ernani involvami demands full blown coloratura mastery from the moment you open your mouth, and while the rest of the role is mostly ensembles, it’s challenging. Leona Mitchell is mostly very up to the challenges. Two good stabs at the part were NOT broadcast, Arroyo’s
opening night with Bergonzi and Milnes, and Millo, (2 in the house, 4 in the parks very early in her Met career). The good news on Ernani is the complete Met broadcast history is documented on Sirius.
The Met trots out its star Verdians for the first appearance of Ernani in a quarter century. It’s a bit too late for Milanov, but Del Monaco and Siepi are in especially fine form. This is also available on MOoD.
Elvira is definitely a bit late for Milanov, but the men are the best in the business for these roles in 1956, and all among the greatest ever in these roles.”
“DIE WALKUERE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/24/1968
Cast: Klobucar; Nilsson, Stewart, Rysanek, Vickers, Ludwig, Ridderbusch
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160321 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This performance has been issued on Sony Historic CD, and certainly has the cream of the crop of contemporary Wagnerians. It’s also available on MOoD. Highly recommended.”
“DIE WALKUERE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/24/1968
Cast: Klobucar; Nilsson, Stewart, Rysanek, Vickers, Ludwig, Ridderbusch
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160422 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This performance has been issued on Sony Historic CD, and certainly has the cream of the crop of contemporary Wagnerians. It’s also available on MOoD. Highly recommended.”
“IL PIRATA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/08/2003
Cast: Campanella; Fleming, Giordani, Croft
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160423 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the Met premiere of Pirata and to date its only broadcast season, but I don’t find either the soprano or tenor quite right for their parts. This was the performance that started me on my Giordani no listen zone. I was lucky enough to see Caballe do a stage Pirata (2x) in Philadelphia, and she was almost ideally cast. Fleming is a versatile, highly skilled singer, but this part was not for her.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 04/05/1952
Cast: Stiedry; Tucker, Rigal, Silveri, Barbieri, Hines, Hotter
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160531 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the first of Tucker’s three Don Carlo broadcasts, and I find his 1955 preferable. What I’ve never heard, but also from 1952 (but next season) is his second which has a better supporting cast with Merrill for Silveri, and Siepi for Hines as Filippo; Erede is in the pit for his only Don Carlo broadcast. May we hear this please?
This is most distinctive for being Tucker’s first Don Carlo broadcast and one of Hotter’s few. Tucker broadcast the opera again 8 months later in 1952 (but new season) with the production opening night cast (Merrill and Siepi replacing Silveri and Hines, and him of course replacing Bjorling) I’ve never heard this second 1952 broadcast.
Also unusual is that though Tucker went on to sing the opera for 15 more years after his 1955 broadcast with Steber, he never went to the airwaves for it again. At 26 performances, he is by far the Don Carlo champion– I saw him in it three times. most notably at a fall 1968 matinee not broadcast with (Orlandi, Verrett, Merrill, Ghiaurov, and Talvela under Abbado).
Bing did not see Hotter in leading roles and in Walkure he was cast as
Hunding, not Wotan. What has not been rebroadcast on Sirius is Hotter’s
farewell which is a 1954 Parsifal with Svanholm, Varnay, and London, and Hotter as Gurnemanz under Stiedry. I would love to hear that.”
“DIE WALKUERE : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/24/1968
Cast: Klobucar; Nilsson, Stewart, Rysanek, Vickers, Ludwig, Ridderbusch
Media: MOD Audio SID.18160637 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This performance has been issued on Sony Historic CD, and certainly has the cream of the crop of contemporary Wagnerians. It’s also available on MOoD. Highly recommended.”