“LA SONNAMBULA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1968
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Alexander, Giaiotti, Boky
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350315 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 PIRATA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/08/2003
Cast: Campanella; Fleming, Giordani, Croft
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350423 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.”
“COSÃ FAN TUTTE : Mozart
Original Air Date: 04/09/1988
Cast: Epstein; TeKanawa, Rendall, Montague, Hagegård, Hong, Cheek
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350424 Tags: Archive; 2018, Mozart
While the Met casting for Zauberflote may not always leave a memorable result, the broadcast annals have a number of fine Cosis, and this is one. Max Epstein, who was Levine’s chief assistant for several years before dying much too young (the Walkure studio recording is dedicated to him as he did the major musical preparation).
Te Kanawa always found Fiordiligi one of her most congenial assignments (and other Met Fiordiligis include such fine exponents as Steber (only available in the Sony studio recording because all her broadcasts are in translation), Vaness, Fleming (not on the airwaves, but a great studio recording, and a fine run at the Met), Lorengar (who followed TeKanawa in the new production and did the broadcast).”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 01/04/1958
Cast: Morel; Gedda, Güden, Hines, Merrill, Roggero
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350425 Tags: Archive; 2018
Gedda (in his first season and his first broadcast) is extremely fine. This
performance is also available on MOoD. The other bulwark is Robert Merrill’s Valentin. Guden and Hines are OK, but certainly not the first interpreter you would want to hear.
Gedda and Merrill are top drawer, but I prefer several Marguerites to
Guden, and Hines while earnest is far from Siepi’s league. Siepi has
not one but TWO broadcast Fausts from the Met with Bjorling– 1950
and 1959 and these are long overdue for retransmission and listing in
MOoD. Siepi has six broadcast Mephistopheles, only two of which have
been on Sirius, the 1955 with Peerce and De Los Angeles and Merrill
(also on MOoD) and 1964 with Morell and Moffo.
This has been on before and Gedda and Merrill certainly are very fine in their parts, but the continue avoidance of the TWO Bjoerling (1950 and 1959 my preference is for 1959) broadcasts is a big gap in the Met broadcast legacy on Sirius. I wouldn’t mind the 1949 with Kirsten and DiStefano either. The Morel being played this week is also on Met Player.”
“LA SONNAMBULA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1968
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Alexander, Giaiotti, Boky
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350531 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.”
“COSÌ FAN TUTTE : Mozart
Original Air Date: 04/09/1988
Cast: Epstein; TeKanawa, Rendall, Montague, Hagegård, Hong, Cheek
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350640 Tags: Archive; 2018, Mozart
While the Met casting for Zauberflote may not always leave a memorable result, the broadcast annals have a number of fine Cosis, and this is one. Max Epstein, who was Levine’s chief assistant for several years before dying much too young (the Walkure studio recording is dedicated to him as he did the major musical preparation).
Te Kanawa always found Fiordiligi one of her most congenial assignments (and other Met Fiordiligis include such fine exponents as Steber (only available in the Sony studio recording because all her broadcasts are in translation), Vaness, Fleming (not on the airwaves, but a great studio recording, and a fine run at the Met), Lorengar (who followed TeKanawa in the new production and did the broadcast).”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 01/04/1958
Cast: Morel; Gedda, Güden, Hines, Merrill, Roggero
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350641 Tags: Archive; 2018
Gedda (in his first season and his first broadcast) is extremely fine. This
performance is also available on MOoD. The other bulwark is Robert Merrill’s Valentin. Guden and Hines are OK, but certainly not the first interpreter you would want to hear.
Gedda and Merrill are top drawer, but I prefer several Marguerites to
Guden, and Hines while earnest is far from Siepi’s league. Siepi has
not one but TWO broadcast Fausts from the Met with Bjorling– 1950
and 1959 and these are long overdue for retransmission and listing in
MOoD. Siepi has six broadcast Mephistopheles, only two of which have
been on Sirius, the 1955 with Peerce and De Los Angeles and Merrill
(also on MOoD) and 1964 with Morell and Moffo.
This has been on before and Gedda and Merrill certainly are very fine in their parts, but the continue avoidance of the TWO Bjoerling (1950 and 1959 my preference is for 1959) broadcasts is a big gap in the Met broadcast legacy on Sirius. I wouldn’t mind the 1949 with Kirsten and DiStefano either. The Morel being played this week is also on Met Player.”
“IL PIRATA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/08/2003
Cast: Campanella; Fleming, Giordani, Croft
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350746 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.”
“LA SONNAMBULA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 12/21/1968
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Alexander, Giaiotti, Boky
Media: MOD Audio SID.18350747 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 BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 03/06/1954
Cast: Erede; Merrill, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360103 Tags: Archive; 2018
This production was recorded by RCA with Leinsdorf for Erede, and Tozzi for Siepi, but the rest of the cast intact. Merrill and Peters are both very fine, but it is the three Italians who give performances to savor. Corena was never in second tier with his Bartolo, and the recitatives with Siepi absolutely magical. A spirited ensemble and you can hear it in uncompressed sound on MOoD any time you want. Highly recommended.
10/24/11 – This broadcast, a month after the production’s premiere is among the most vocally potent Barbieres in the history of the Met, and the RCA recording under Leinsdorf only substitutes Tozzi for Siepi for the main cast. Though I generally prefer mezzo Rosinas, this is Peters at ther best, and I find the male contingent very satisfying indeed. This is available on Met Player, and I will make sure I check it out either via Sirius or Met Player this week. No Cessa di piu resistere though Valletti did include it on the RCA recording. Don’t miss.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360209 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360210 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY : Picker
Original Air Date: 12/24/2005
Cast: Conlon; Gunn, Racette, Graham, Zajick, Larmore
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360212 Tags: Archive; 2018
An American Tragedy was premiered at the Met and should have been HDd during a scheduled revival in 2008 which was taken by Last Emperor (in hopes of a China tour which did not materialize).
Zambello directed, and she remains faithful to the work which was revived at Glimmerglass in 2014 in a revised edition. On the radio the real standout is Zajick who makes conventional lines sound momentous, but the overall cast was well chosen.”
“I VESPRI SICILIANI : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/11/2004
Cast: Chaslin; Radvanovsky, Casanova, Nucci, Ramey
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360213 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
Elena was a major breakout role for Radvanovsky, and she was the deserved star of this revival.
Nucci, who has appeared irregularly but continuously since his debut in 1980 last appeared at the Met in this 2004 broadcast where he is in fine voice as he was on the Nabucco broadcast six months earlier (prior season). His current engagements show him as busy as any Verdi baritone before the public with an appearance in January 2016 at La Scala as Rigoletto with Nadine Sierra, where they encored the Si, vendetta duet (!!!!).
Casanova has good style in arguably Verdi’s most challenging tenor part. This revival catches Ramey after the wobble had started to set in (I date at around 2002). He’s still very commanding, but it’s just a bit too late to be top quality. Procida is one of the greatest of Verdi bass roles right up there with Fiesco, if not quite at the level of Filippo II.
Chaslin conducts a well prepared performance, and so nice to have this performance in the Sirius rotation.
With Radvanovsky’s new status, this performance should be added to MOoD. This is true two years ago, and is still the case.
6/26/2012 – Ramey is a bit too late for Procida here, but Chaslin’s conducting and the other three principals are very good . Vespri is hard to sing, and never overwhelms me like Don Carlo, Ballo, Simon, or Forza, but there are still some Verdian moments to enjoy. The only competitive Met broadcast.
9/28/11 – Vespri has some great music but I find it the weakest of any of Verdi’s post Rigoletto operas. This revival was the big showcase for Radvanovsky who regularly featured some of the biggest E naturals ever heard at the Met (at the end of the Bolero). Nucci still had surprising sap left, but 2 or 3 years too late for Ramey, and Casanova will be ok on the radio, but he did not have an ideal stage appearance.
2/8/11 – It’s not Don Carlo or Simon Boccanegra, but one of the first exposures of major league Radvanovsky. Not quite enough panache for the dramatic sections, but some stirring singing. Casanova better heard than seen, and Nucci in fine shape, esp. for his age.
Just a little too late for Ramey. Much better at Scala under Muti.”
“FIDELIO : Beethoven
Original Air Date: 03/10/1951
Cast: Walter; Flagstad, Svanholm, Schöffler, Ernster, Conner, Klein
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360214 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance marks Flagstad’s return season after an absence of ten years. She also has a Fidelio broadcast under Walter from 1941 which has now also been rebroadcast and finds Flagstad on even finer form on Sirius. Walter and Flagstad are the attraction with the supporting cast variable.”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 03/06/1954
Cast: Erede; Merrill, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360319 Tags: Archive; 2018
This production was recorded by RCA with Leinsdorf for Erede, and Tozzi for Siepi, but the rest of the cast intact. Merrill and Peters are both very fine, but it is the three Italians who give performances to savor. Corena was never in second tier with his Bartolo, and the recitatives with Siepi absolutely magical. A spirited ensemble and you can hear it in uncompressed sound on MOoD any time you want. Highly recommended.
10/24/11 – This broadcast, a month after the production’s premiere is among the most vocally potent Barbieres in the history of the Met, and the RCA recording under Leinsdorf only substitutes Tozzi for Siepi for the main cast. Though I generally prefer mezzo Rosinas, this is Peters at ther best, and I find the male contingent very satisfying indeed. This is available on Met Player, and I will make sure I check it out either via Sirius or Met Player this week. No Cessa di piu resistere though Valletti did include it on the RCA recording. Don’t miss.”
“FIDELIO : Beethoven
Original Air Date: 03/10/1951
Cast: Walter; Flagstad, Svanholm, Schöffler, Ernster, Conner, Klein
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360423 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance marks Flagstad’s return season after an absence of ten years. She also has a Fidelio broadcast under Walter from 1941 which has now also been rebroadcast and finds Flagstad on even finer form on Sirius. Walter and Flagstad are the attraction with the supporting cast variable.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360425 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360426 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY : Picker
Original Air Date: 12/24/2005
Cast: Conlon; Gunn, Racette, Graham, Zajick, Larmore
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360428 Tags: Archive; 2018
An American Tragedy was premiered at the Met and should have been HDd during a scheduled revival in 2008 which was taken by Last Emperor (in hopes of a China tour which did not materialize).
Zambello directed, and she remains faithful to the work which was revived at Glimmerglass in 2014 in a revised edition. On the radio the real standout is Zajick who makes conventional lines sound momentous, but the overall cast was well chosen.”
“I VESPRI SICILIANI : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/11/2004
Cast: Chaslin; Radvanovsky, Casanova, Nucci, Ramey
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360529 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
Elena was a major breakout role for Radvanovsky, and she was the deserved star of this revival.
Nucci, who has appeared irregularly but continuously since his debut in 1980 last appeared at the Met in this 2004 broadcast where he is in fine voice as he was on the Nabucco broadcast six months earlier (prior season). His current engagements show him as busy as any Verdi baritone before the public with an appearance in January 2016 at La Scala as Rigoletto with Nadine Sierra, where they encored the Si, vendetta duet (!!!!).
Casanova has good style in arguably Verdi’s most challenging tenor part. This revival catches Ramey after the wobble had started to set in (I date at around 2002). He’s still very commanding, but it’s just a bit too late to be top quality. Procida is one of the greatest of Verdi bass roles right up there with Fiesco, if not quite at the level of Filippo II.
Chaslin conducts a well prepared performance, and so nice to have this performance in the Sirius rotation.
With Radvanovsky’s new status, this performance should be added to MOoD. This is true two years ago, and is still the case.
6/26/2012 – Ramey is a bit too late for Procida here, but Chaslin’s conducting and the other three principals are very good . Vespri is hard to sing, and never overwhelms me like Don Carlo, Ballo, Simon, or Forza, but there are still some Verdian moments to enjoy. The only competitive Met broadcast.
9/28/11 – Vespri has some great music but I find it the weakest of any of Verdi’s post Rigoletto operas. This revival was the big showcase for Radvanovsky who regularly featured some of the biggest E naturals ever heard at the Met (at the end of the Bolero). Nucci still had surprising sap left, but 2 or 3 years too late for Ramey, and Casanova will be ok on the radio, but he did not have an ideal stage appearance.
2/8/11 – It’s not Don Carlo or Simon Boccanegra, but one of the first exposures of major league Radvanovsky. Not quite enough panache for the dramatic sections, but some stirring singing. Casanova better heard than seen, and Nucci in fine shape, esp. for his age.
Just a little too late for Ramey. Much better at Scala under Muti.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360641 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360642 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 03/06/1954
Cast: Erede; Merrill, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360743 Tags: Archive; 2018
This production was recorded by RCA with Leinsdorf for Erede, and Tozzi for Siepi, but the rest of the cast intact. Merrill and Peters are both very fine, but it is the three Italians who give performances to savor. Corena was never in second tier with his Bartolo, and the recitatives with Siepi absolutely magical. A spirited ensemble and you can hear it in uncompressed sound on MOoD any time you want. Highly recommended.
10/24/11 – This broadcast, a month after the production’s premiere is among the most vocally potent Barbieres in the history of the Met, and the RCA recording under Leinsdorf only substitutes Tozzi for Siepi for the main cast. Though I generally prefer mezzo Rosinas, this is Peters at ther best, and I find the male contingent very satisfying indeed. This is available on Met Player, and I will make sure I check it out either via Sirius or Met Player this week. No Cessa di piu resistere though Valletti did include it on the RCA recording. Don’t miss.”
“AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY : Picker
Original Air Date: 12/24/2005
Cast: Conlon; Gunn, Racette, Graham, Zajick, Larmore
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360744 Tags: Archive; 2018
An American Tragedy was premiered at the Met and should have been HDd during a scheduled revival in 2008 which was taken by Last Emperor (in hopes of a China tour which did not materialize).
Zambello directed, and she remains faithful to the work which was revived at Glimmerglass in 2014 in a revised edition. On the radio the real standout is Zajick who makes conventional lines sound momentous, but the overall cast was well chosen.”
“I VESPRI SICILIANI : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/11/2004
Cast: Chaslin; Radvanovsky, Casanova, Nucci, Ramey
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360745 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
Elena was a major breakout role for Radvanovsky, and she was the deserved star of this revival.
Nucci, who has appeared irregularly but continuously since his debut in 1980 last appeared at the Met in this 2004 broadcast where he is in fine voice as he was on the Nabucco broadcast six months earlier (prior season). His current engagements show him as busy as any Verdi baritone before the public with an appearance in January 2016 at La Scala as Rigoletto with Nadine Sierra, where they encored the Si, vendetta duet (!!!!).
Casanova has good style in arguably Verdi’s most challenging tenor part. This revival catches Ramey after the wobble had started to set in (I date at around 2002). He’s still very commanding, but it’s just a bit too late to be top quality. Procida is one of the greatest of Verdi bass roles right up there with Fiesco, if not quite at the level of Filippo II.
Chaslin conducts a well prepared performance, and so nice to have this performance in the Sirius rotation.
With Radvanovsky’s new status, this performance should be added to MOoD. This is true two years ago, and is still the case.
6/26/2012 – Ramey is a bit too late for Procida here, but Chaslin’s conducting and the other three principals are very good . Vespri is hard to sing, and never overwhelms me like Don Carlo, Ballo, Simon, or Forza, but there are still some Verdian moments to enjoy. The only competitive Met broadcast.
9/28/11 – Vespri has some great music but I find it the weakest of any of Verdi’s post Rigoletto operas. This revival was the big showcase for Radvanovsky who regularly featured some of the biggest E naturals ever heard at the Met (at the end of the Bolero). Nucci still had surprising sap left, but 2 or 3 years too late for Ramey, and Casanova will be ok on the radio, but he did not have an ideal stage appearance.
2/8/11 – It’s not Don Carlo or Simon Boccanegra, but one of the first exposures of major league Radvanovsky. Not quite enough panache for the dramatic sections, but some stirring singing. Casanova better heard than seen, and Nucci in fine shape, esp. for his age.
Just a little too late for Ramey. Much better at Scala under Muti.”
“FIDELIO : Beethoven
Original Air Date: 03/10/1951
Cast: Walter; Flagstad, Svanholm, Schöffler, Ernster, Conner, Klein
Media: MOD Audio SID.18360746 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance marks Flagstad’s return season after an absence of ten years. She also has a Fidelio broadcast under Walter from 1941 which has now also been rebroadcast and finds Flagstad on even finer form on Sirius. Walter and Flagstad are the attraction with the supporting cast variable.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 11/11/1950
Cast: Stiedry; Bjorling, Rigal, Merrill, Barbieri, Siepi, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18370102 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. “
“ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA : Barber
Original Air Date: 09/16/1966
Cast: Schippers; Díaz, Price, Thomas, Flagello, Elias
Media: MOD Audio SID.18370106 Tags: Archive; 2018
From MOD: Expectations were high when the Metropolitan Opera announced that the world premiere of Samuel Barber’s Antony and Cleopatra would christen its new house at Lincoln Center in the fall of 1966—a suitably grand work based on Shakespeare’s tragedy and written specifically for Leontyne Price as Cleopatra. A singer himself, the composer knew Price’s voice and what it could do, shaping his conception of the opera’s heroine around this iconic American diva.
The 26-year-old Puerto Rican–born bass Justino Díaz starred alongside Price as Antony while Ezio Flagello portrayed Antony’s friend Enobarbus. Tenor Jess Thomas brought his heroic presence to the role of Octavius Caesar, and the beloved mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias, already a Met veteran in her 30s, sang the role of Cleopatra’s attendant Charmian.
Thanks to a Texaco–Metropolitan Opera Radio Network broadcast from the opera’s world premiere, this indelible piece of Met history has been preserved for generations.
***
This is the opening of the new Met at Lincoln Center and the world premiere of the opera. Leontyne never sang better than this night, and luckily it is well preserved for all to hear. Lady Bird Johnson and Imelda Marcos were among the dignitaries that night”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 11/11/1950
Cast: Stiedry; Bjorling, Rigal, Merrill, Barbieri, Siepi, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.18370319 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. “