L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI:Rossini
Original Air Date: 01/04/1986
Levine; Horne, Ahlstedt, Montarsolo, Monk
MOD Video SID.19280209
This performance precedes the telecast by one week and that telecast is available in MOoD. For me, the distinction of the performance is mostly Montarsolo. Isabella is Horne’s second most performed role at 37 (Carmen unsurprisingly is first at 49) Her 3d is Adalgisa in Norma (all with Sutherland). MOD is 1/11/86 performance with same cast.
AIDA:Verdi
Original Air Date: 02/20/1954
Cleva; Milanov, Baum, Barbieri, Warren, Hines
MOD Audio SID.19280210
Milanov, Barbieri, Warren and Hines are major Aida players any way you look at it. I used to have some cavils about Warren’s lack of equalization, but after the Verdi baritone singing I’ve endured the last quarter century, I am always grateful to encounter him in one of his signature roles.
SIMON BOCCANEGRA:Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/03/2007
Luisi; Hampson, Gheorghiu, Giordani, Furlanetto, Gerello
MOD Audio SID.19280212
Simon is one opera that gets regular outings at the Met, though not necessarily everywhere, starting with the titanic duo of Tibbett and Pinza, both of whom are still my standard in Simon and Fiesco (but not yet appearing on Sirius). I am not a big fan of Hampson’s traversal of the Verdi baritone repertoire. This was followed with another MOoD broadcast (video) with Domingo moving up to the title role under Levine. For me the best of the recent SBs was the FOLLOWING year when Levine did a short revival with Hvorostovsky (not always my choice for Verdi either) with Frittoli, Vargas, and Furlanetto, where Levine seems at his most inspired– he’s conducted 1/3 of all Boccanegras at the Met, and this performance is now out on MOoD as well. Somehow this performance did not make it in to MOoD– it should.
L’ELISIR D’AMORE:Donizetti
Original Air Date: 03/18/1978
Caldwell; Pavarotti, Blegen, Corena, Sereni
SID.19280213
My memory of Caldwell’s conducting (her Met farewell) is not so positive; this is the second of three Blegen/Pavarotti Elisirs. For me Sereni and Corena, especially Corena have never been replaced in these roles. Corena’s near monopoly of Dr. Dulcamara is totally deserved. It is just a shame that there are not more video representations of his very considerable art. A particular word of praise for Sereni, whose recent passing reminds us of what a reliable artist he was. The best Elisir for my money is the all Italian one from 1972 with Scotto, Bergonzi, Sereni, and Corena (on MOoD); there is an earlier broadcast (1966) which is on MOoD and Sony CD which substitutes Peters and Guarrera under Schippers for Scotto and Sereni. MOoD covers all this ground plus a fine broadcast with Peters and Kraus from 1968 with again Sereni and Corena.
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO:Mozart
Original Air Date: 01/11/1958
Leinsdorf; Tozzi, Güden, Della Casa, London, Miller
SID.19280214
Sirius honors Giorgio Tozzi who died May 30, 2011 at the age of 88. Leinsdorf and three members of this cast moved on to Vienna to record Figaro (Peters for Guden, and Elias for Miller on the recording are new) A used copy on Amazon was asking $172. This performance has been on before , but my memory of Della Casa, Guden and London are mostly from other broadcasts, so I’ll definitely take a listen. Bing did a lot of Nozze — this round of performances comes just before a new production two seasons later also with Leinsdorf. The other four performances feature cast changes in every part . A nice cast, but make sure this is the chemistry you want.
MAZEPPA:Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 03/18/2006
Gergiev; Putilin, Guryakova, Balashov, Burchuladze, Diadkova
SID.19280315
This is the only Met broadcast of Tchaikovsky’s powerful work. This performance is notable for Tchaikovsky’s powerful music, Gergiev’s assured conducting, and Putilin giving his considerable all to the title role. This is offbeat repertory that I’m glad we’ve had. Gergiev and Putilin make a strong case for hearing the work more often. It should really be on MOoD.
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Original Air Date: 01/02/1988
Dutoit; Shicoff, Morris, Bradley, Troyanos, Alexander, Quittmeyer
SID.19280316
This is the broadcast that comes six days before the Met telecast performance with the same cast. The video is available in MOoD. Dutoit in his Met debut season has just the right Gallic snap for this sprawling work, and Shicoff , Morris, and Laciura hold up the male side splendidly. The women are all sufficient to their task, and thanks to the conductor, it is an outstanding Hoffmann.
L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI:Rossini
Original Air Date: 01/04/1986
Levine; Horne, Ahlstedt, Montarsolo, Monk
MOD Video SID.19280425
This performance precedes the telecast by one week and that telecast is available in MOoD. For me, the distinction of the performance is mostly Montarsolo. Isabella is Horne’s second most performed role at 37 (Carmen unsurprisingly is first at 49) Her 3d is Adalgisa in Norma (all with Sutherland). MOD is 1/11/86 performance with same cast.
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ADRIANA LECOUVREUR:Cilea
Original Air Date: 12/31/2018
Noseda; Netrebko, Rachvelishvili, Beczala, Bosi, Maestri, Muraro
SID.19280535
Based on a play by Eugène Scribe, the story was inspired by the real-life intrigues of famed actress Adrienne Lecouvreur and the legendary soldier—and lover—Maurice of Saxony. Cilea’s operatic retelling quickly became a favorite of charismatic soloists. The title character in particular is a quintessential diva role. Drama Queen (Article by William Berger) On New Year’s Eve, Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur returns to the Met with soprano Anna Netrebko in the touchstone title role. She teams up with tenor Piotr Beczała as her lover, Maurizio—a brilliant pairing of stars fresh off a joint triumph in performances of Adriana in Vienna. Mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili rounds out the all-star principal trio, and maestro Gianandrea Noseda is on the podium. Sir David McVicar’s new staging—the Met’s first new production of the work in more than half a century—embraces Cilea’s glamorous 18th-century Parisian setting but also mines for deeper artistic significance in an opera that is often underestimated. (William Berger) Co-Production of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London; Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona; Wiener Staatsoper; San Francisco Opera; and L’Opéra National de Paris Production a gift of The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund
L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI:Rossini
Original Air Date: 01/04/1986
Levine; Horne, Ahlstedt, Montarsolo, Monk
MOD Video SID.19280641
This performance precedes the telecast by one week and that telecast is available in MOoD. For me, the distinction of the performance is mostly Montarsolo. Isabella is Horne’s second most performed role at 37 (Carmen unsurprisingly is first at 49) Her 3d is Adalgisa in Norma (all with Sutherland). MOD is 1/11/86 performance with same cast.
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Original Air Date: 01/02/1988
Dutoit; Shicoff, Morris, Bradley, Troyanos, Alexander, Quittmeyer
SID.19290101
This is the broadcast that comes six days before the Met telecast performance with the same cast. The video is available in MOoD. Dutoit in his Met debut season has just the right Gallic snap for this sprawling work, and Shicoff , Morris, and Laciura hold up the male side splendidly. The women are all sufficient to their task, and thanks to the conductor, it is an outstanding Hoffmann.
PARSIFAL:Wagner
Original Air Date: 04/09/1960
Leinsdorf; Liebl, Harshaw, Uhde, Hines, Pechner
SID.19290102
This broadcast was from a three performance run that mark Leinsdorf’s only postwar Parsifals at the Met. Modl made her farewell at the previous performance, and Liebl, a name not especially well known, has several fine Met performances to his credit. The performance is not uncut, per the review attached to the Database listing for the premiere.
CAPRICCIO:Strauss
Original Air Date: 01/31/1998
Davis; Te Kanawa, Rootering, Kuebler, Keenlyside, Brendel, Harries
MOD Audio SID.19290104
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.
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA:Rossini
Original Air Date: 03/06/1954
Erede; Merrill, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Siepi
MOD Audio SID.19290105
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. This is Peters at ther best, and I find the male contingent very satisfying indeed. No Cessa di piu resistere though Valletti did include it on the RCA recording. Don’t miss. 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.
DON CARLO:Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/05/1955
Adler; Tucker, Steber, Bastianini, Thebom, Hines, Moscona
SID.19290106
Surprisingly, Stiedry is not in the pit for this, and Adler is a rung lower and it counts in this opera. Steber lets the end of ‘Tu che le vanita’ get away from her, and the part is lower than ideal, but this is a very good house Don Carlo, Tucker a bit better than that and well matching Bastianini’s rich tones. Hines sings well enough but he is some distance from the Siepi/Ghiaurov/Christoff (not at Met) standard. You don’t want to hear Bastianini in his final two Met broadcasts (both 1965) of Forza del Destino and Don Carlo. Though his prime at the Met (1953-1960) was short most of the 70+ performances at the Met including five broadcasts are worth hearing for sampling one of the premiere post-WW2 Italian baritone voices. I’ve never heard his Traviata with Albanese from 1955, and career listers speak with reverence about his Carlo Gerard from 1960; certainly his CG with Tebaldi and Del Monaco in the studio is a classic. This performance is also available in MOoD and a good way to experience it.
ROMÉO ET JULIETTE:Gounod
Original Air Date: 03/31/1973
Rich; Corelli, Boky, Macurdy, Forst, Cossa
SID.19290107
Corelli made quite a splash when he did it with Freni, but by 1973 he is near the end of his Met career. He actually has another Romeo broadcast a year later with Judith Blegen which is on Met Player. She is much better than Boky, but I’m afraid Corelli is past it on both. Listen to the Price Tosca this week and hear what glory he could offer. For Romeo, listen to Sayao and Bjorling. Also on Met Player and Sony CD. Corelli is not especially good on any of his broadcast Romeos the last two done close to the end of his Met career. The last one with Blegen is in MOoD, but nothing like the Bjorling Sayao from 1947 or Gedda Freni from 1968 and other fine ones from Gheorgiu Alagna and Netrebko Alagna.
MADAMA BUTTERFLY:Puccini
Original Air Date: 02/10/1979
Woitach; Zylis-Gara, Alexander, Love, Monk, Velis
SID.19290208
A very solid Butterfly from Zylis-Gara, the second of three broadcast efforts in this role. Alexander, Monk, and Velis are top quality. The continuing omission of Stella and Tucci and Gorchakova (with Gatti conducting) are missing three of the more distinctive Cio-Cio Sans.
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA / PAGLIACCI:Mascagni / Leoncavallo
Original Air Date: 01/22/2000
Crawford; Zajick, Armiliato, Jospheson / Villarroel, O’Neill, Pons
SID.19290209
Zajick is in tremendous form. Armiliato still appears in Italy, but has not been at the Met in 10 years. Always room for his conducting brother, Mario, but a loss to the house in major roles like Manrico, Ernani, and Radames. Now 59, I think he’s not coming back.
DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL:Mozart
Original Air Date: 02/01/2003
Levine; Deshorties, Groves, Moll, Welch-Babidge, Banks
SID.19290210
This is Moll’s antepenultimate Met broadcast (Landgrave in Tannhauser and Sarastro in Zauberflote were to follow). Osmin was long a signature role for him, but I think better experienced 13 years earlier and with a better supporting cast in a performance available in MOoD.
RUSALKA:Dvorak
Original Air Date: 02/08/2014
Nézet-Séguin; Fleming, Beczala, Magee, Zajick, Relyea
Live in HD SID.19290211
THE FIRST EMPEROR:Dun
Original Air Date: 01/13/2007
Dun; Domingo, Futral, Groves, Tian, DeYoung
Live in HDMOD Video SID.19290212
This is Domingo’s vehicle and the broadcast and HD performance from its premiere season. Sony issued a commercial DVD. Better to watch than listen to. I enjoyed seeing the production, and while it’s not on my weekly rotation, it held my interest more than Glass’ The Voyage. The simultaneous broadcast/HD moviecast is available on commercial DVD and MOoD (Metropolitan Opera on Demand).
COSÌ FAN TUTTE:Mozart
Original Air Date: 04/09/1988
Epstein; TeKanawa, Rendall, Montague, Hagegård, Hong, Cheek
MOD Audio SID.19290213
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).
LA GIOCONDA:Ponchielli
Original Air Date: 01/03/1953
Cleva; Milanov, Baum, Warren, Barbieri, Siepi
MOD Audio SID.19290214
This is a big voiced Gioconda cast– the work does not call for chamber voices and this is the third of Milanov’s 7 broadcasts of the street singer. Baum is on a lower plane than the other starry principals, but for Gioconda aficionados (I’m one), this is a performance to enjoy.
EUGENE ONEGIN:Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 04/19/1997
Pappano; Chernov, Gorchakova, Farina, Tarassova, Ognovenko
MOD Audio SID.19290315
We hear so much more of Onegin these days, and this run is Pappano’s (CGarden music director) only Met appearance. Good to hear Chernov again in retrospect. Turned out to not be the Russian Robert Merrill. Antonio Pappano, though an American resident for some years has ended up basing most of his operatic career as the music director at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The Met thought enough to give him this new production as his debut and only run of Met appearances Chernov was originally brought in as a Russian Robert Merrill. The voice is attractive and smoothly lyric, but not a patch on his countryman, Yuri Mazurok, and at least two sizes too small to even be compared to Merrill. Even in the Met’s own archives, the Peter G. Davis review of the opening night comes in for some very hard knocks musically for both the singers and the conductor. Why this was picked for MOoD when the two Mazurok broadcasts (regularly on Sirius) were not picked gives one pause about performance selection on MOoD.
CAPRICCIO:Strauss
Original Air Date: 01/31/1998
Davis; Te Kanawa, Rootering, Kuebler, Keenlyside, Brendel, Harries
MOD Audio SID.19290320
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.
THE FIRST EMPEROR:Dun
Original Air Date: 01/13/2007
Dun; Domingo, Futral, Groves, Tian, DeYoung
Live in HDMOD Video SID.19290428
This is Domingo’s vehicle and the broadcast and HD performance from its premiere season. Sony issued a commercial DVD. Better to watch than listen to. I enjoyed seeing the production, and while it’s not on my weekly rotation, it held my interest more than Glass’ The Voyage. The simultaneous broadcast/HD moviecast is available on commercial DVD and MOoD (Metropolitan Opera on Demand).