“SIMON BOCCANEGRA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/03/2007
Cast: Luisi; Hampson, Gheorghiu, Giordani, Furlanetto, Gerello
Media: SID.17490531 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
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.
SB is rather well represented in MOoD with Milanov, Tebaldi, Bergonzi, but stillno rebroadcast in modern times is the Ehrling 1974 Boccanegra with distinguished contributions by Ingvar Wixell in the title role and Adriana Maliponte as Amelia; Tucker and Tozzi provide solid support. 11/28/2015”
“ROMÉO ET JULIETTE : Gounod
Original Air Date: 12/06/1986
Cast: Domingo; Kraus, Gasdia, Plishka, Harris, Schexnayder
Media: MOD Audio SID.17490535 Tags: Archive; 2017, Domingo
This broadcast documents Gasdia’s only season at the Met. The run, Kraus’ only times in Romeo at the Met, also featured 6 performances with Soviero, whom I would have preferred in the broadcast. “
“AIDA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/11/1950
Cast: Cooper; Welitsch, Vinay, Harshaw, Merrill, Hines
Media: MOD Audio SID.17490637 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
According to my records this is new to Sirius [ in 2013]. It may have
been broadcast in the first three years of Sirius when I wasn’t doing
the playlists.
I’ve heard this performance, and Welitsch has some powerful moments, and a pleasure to hear early Merrill in this role. He is the Met champion Amonasro with 72 (MacNeil is 71, and Amato 70) “
“HANSEL AND GRETEL : Humperdinck
Original Air Date: 01/01/2008
Cast: Jurowski; Coote, Schäfer, Langridge, Plowright, Held
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.17490640 Tags: Archive; 2017
Special Holiday Encore Presentation, Original Transmission Live January 1, 2008 This deliciously dark take on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale, appealing to audiences of all ages, was part of the Met’s popular English-language holiday series. Alice Coote and Christine Schäfer star as the famous siblings lost in the woods, who battle the ravenous Witch—a zany portrayal by tenor Philip Langridge—while the Met orchestra, under the baton of Vladimir Jurowski, glories in the rich, folk-inspired score. [metopera.org]SATURDAY AFTERNOON BROADCAST”
“DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER : Wagner
Original Air Date: 12/30/1950
Cast: Reiner; Hotter, Varnay, Svanholm, Nilsson
Media: MOD Audio SID.17490641 Tags: Archive; 2017, Nilsson, Wagner
Only two months since the last rotation? A bit of chaos in current Sirius programming. This performance is also in the Met’s bicentenary Wagner CD box from Sony. Reiner, Hotter, and Varnay are experienced Wagnerians, but this is one Wagner opera better served by the historic partnership a decade later of Schippers / Bohm, London, and Rysanek (and Tozzi too). (9/26/16) “
“ARIADNE AUF NAXOS : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/20/1993
Cast: Marin; Norman, Moser, Swenson, Mentzer, Stewart, Oswald
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500101 Tags: Archive; 2017, Strauss
For my money Jessye Norman is much better in her two earlier broadcasts (the first with Andrew Davis conducting, the second with Levine and subsequently telecast). Moser is not my preferred Bacchus, but Swenson featuring more of a lyric Zerbinetta (a la Guden) is very fine. 11/21/16
***
This is Norman’s last Ariadne broadcast and in the new production for her. I prefer the 1988 video (which is on DVD from DG) with Troyanos and Battle under Levine. Swenson has her moments as well. 4/23/12
***
I’m not sure about the interest in this performance. Norman five years earlier under Levine has a sterling broadcast and telecast with King, Troyanos, and Battle. What has NOT been broadcast on Sirius is either Bohm Ariadne : the Met premiere season in 1963 with Rysanek (supposed to have been Della Casa, but with the opera switch from Dutchman, it went to LR). Seven years later features Bohm and Rysanek with King and a delectable performance from Reri Grist. 11 July 2011
“
“OTELLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/11/1967
Cast: Mehta; Caballé, McCracken, Gobbi, Lorenzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500105 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
This is the first Otello broadcast from the new house at Lincoln
Center, and I attended an earlier performance in the run. Caballe is very fine in the fourth act, but earlier acts do not find her fully engaged. McCracken and Gobbi are fully engaged from first note, and Mehta is a solid participant. Sirius continues to deprive us of Tebaldi’s 1955 and 1958 Desdemonas which capture her (especially 1955) in remarkable voice. This performance is available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD)
and definitely worth your time.
1/16/12 – I remember this revival well, but in the house and on the airwaves, it was certainly strongly performed by all. This is Caballe’s first broadcast from the Met, and McCracken, Gobbi and Mehta are wonderful partners. Compared to some other Desdemonas, I found her a little short until Act Four, but in the final act she was on all eight cylinders. I love the chemistry of McCracken and Gobbi. This fine performance is available on MetPlayer also.
There never was a tenor quite like James McCracken—a veritable force of nature vocally, he fought his way to an international career that would come to be dominated by his seething portrayal of the title role of Verdi’s Otello. In this March 11, 1967, broadcast conducted by Zubin Mehta, McCracken’s finely sung Otello rages with a raw-nerve fury but also brings heroic tenderness to the love duet and his final moments. Montserrat Caballé’s singing, regal in its beauty throughout, gives way to towering passion in Desdemona’s clash with Otello in Act III. Tito Gobbi is utter, impeccable evil as Iago, heard in the savage glee he finally takes in hurling Cassio’s name, like a knife, at Otello at the end of Act II.”
“RUSALKA : Dvorák
Original Air Date: 12/11/1993
Cast: Fiore; Benacková, Heppner, Martin, Toczyska, Koptchak
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500106 Tags: Archive; 2017
This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is a very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
8/25/14 – This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince
replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
3/4/14 – This is quite a wonderful performance with Benackova, Heppner, and Koptchak especially strong. I love Rusalka and this premiere Met season of it, the ensemble is of high quality. This is a performance that belongs in MOoD.
9/11/12 – I love Rusalka, and this is its only broadcast until Fleming’s 2009 run where three performances were on Sirius, and one of them was in the matinee series on the Met International network. Belohlavek is an authentic conductor, but I think Fiore does just fine with his excellently prepared cast.
11/22/11 – I love the music in Rusalka and this is the Met’s first season with it. Martin is the only one less than excellent, but the Foreign Princess is a very awkwardly written role, so not all the blame goes to her. Even if some of the names are unknown to you, they are well up to the considerable vocal demands.
7/5/11 – Benackova was the first broadcast Rusalka at the Met, and this performance captures her very well. Heppner early in his Met career is on fine form as is the lesser known Koptchak as the Water Sprite. Martin is a bit tested as the Foreign Princess– a very difficult part, no one makes it sound easy. Still, a lovely opera in a fine performance, and this is well deserving being added to the Met Player repertory besides its visibility on Sirius.
1/17/11 – Benackova to the manner born, and early Heppner. Toczyska and Koptchak really on top of things as well. Love this work.”
“DON GIOVANNI : Mozart
Original Air Date: 02/15/2003
Cast: Cambreling; Mattei, Radvanovsky, Furlanetto, Diener, Trost, Netrebko
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500212 Tags: Archive; 2017, Netrebko, Mozart
This Don Giovanni is a solid performance especially in key roles, and proof that not all fine performances are pre-1980. Radvanovsky and Netrebko have gone on to extraordinary careers, but Mattei and Furlanetto make for a fresh and effective pairing as the Don and Leporello (Mattei will reprise his DON later in the 2014-2015 season, but I don’t think Furlanetto does Leporello so much these days. I’ve listened to this performance
thanks to previous Sirius appearances. Recommended.
8/22/11 – This performance is on Met Player and I think it’s a splendid afternoon. I saw an earlier performance with Mattei and found him one of the very best of recent Giovannis. I’m not forgetting Siepi, but Mattei managed to be both dark of drama and sunny of voice. The women are among the very best of recent trios, with Radvanovsky just starting to take off, Diener very solid, and Netrebko one of the lushest Zerlinas ever. Furlanetto is not chopped liver as Leporello, and Trost is OK. Not all fine
performances took place 40 years ago.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/02/1957
Cast: Stiedry; Harshaw, Windgassen, Böhme, Uhde, Schech, Madeira
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500213 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This is a very solid performance and Windgassen in one of only two broadcasts from his single season at the Met. While Frick was the pre-eminent Wagner bass of the 50s, for Hagen there was a strong competition between Bohme and Greindl for next slot. I always preferred Bohme’s voice. Harshaw is up to the score in every way if without the star presence of Nilsson or Varnay. This performance is also available in MOoD. This used to be a very rare performance.
11/21/11 – The Siegfried from this cycle was on a few weeks ago, and while Harshaw is a far different Brunnhilde than Modl, I look forward to hearing this. These are major Wagnerians (mostly native Europeans) from the late 1950s, and well worth hearing. “
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/02/1957
Cast: Stiedry; Harshaw, Windgassen, Böhme, Uhde, Schech, Madeira
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500214 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This is a very solid performance and Windgassen in one of only two broadcasts from his single season at the Met. While Frick was the pre-eminent Wagner bass of the 50s, for Hagen there was a strong competition between Bohme and Greindl for next slot. I always preferred Bohme’s voice. Harshaw is up to the score in every way if without the star presence of Nilsson or Varnay. This performance is also available in MOoD. This used to be a very rare performance.
11/21/11 – The Siegfried from this cycle was on a few weeks ago, and while Harshaw is a far different Brunnhilde than Modl, I look forward to hearing this. These are major Wagnerians (mostly native Europeans) from the late 1950s, and well worth hearing. “
“OTELLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/11/1967
Cast: Mehta; Caballé, McCracken, Gobbi, Lorenzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500315 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
This is the first Otello broadcast from the new house at Lincoln
Center, and I attended an earlier performance in the run. Caballe is very fine in the fourth act, but earlier acts do not find her fully engaged. McCracken and Gobbi are fully engaged from first note, and Mehta is a solid participant. Sirius continues to deprive us of Tebaldi’s 1955 and 1958 Desdemonas which capture her (especially 1955) in remarkable voice. This performance is available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD)
and definitely worth your time.
1/16/12 – I remember this revival well, but in the house and on the airwaves, it was certainly strongly performed by all. This is Caballe’s first broadcast from the Met, and McCracken, Gobbi and Mehta are wonderful partners. Compared to some other Desdemonas, I found her a little short until Act Four, but in the final act she was on all eight cylinders. I love the chemistry of McCracken and Gobbi. This fine performance is available on MetPlayer also.
There never was a tenor quite like James McCracken—a veritable force of nature vocally, he fought his way to an international career that would come to be dominated by his seething portrayal of the title role of Verdi’s Otello. In this March 11, 1967, broadcast conducted by Zubin Mehta, McCracken’s finely sung Otello rages with a raw-nerve fury but also brings heroic tenderness to the love duet and his final moments. Montserrat Caballé’s singing, regal in its beauty throughout, gives way to towering passion in Desdemona’s clash with Otello in Act III. Tito Gobbi is utter, impeccable evil as Iago, heard in the savage glee he finally takes in hurling Cassio’s name, like a knife, at Otello at the end of Act II.”
“RUSALKA : Dvorák
Original Air Date: 12/11/1993
Cast: Fiore; Benacková, Heppner, Martin, Toczyska, Koptchak
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500317 Tags: Archive; 2017
This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is a very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
8/25/14 – This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince
replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
3/4/14 – This is quite a wonderful performance with Benackova, Heppner, and Koptchak especially strong. I love Rusalka and this premiere Met season of it, the ensemble is of high quality. This is a performance that belongs in MOoD.
9/11/12 – I love Rusalka, and this is its only broadcast until Fleming’s 2009 run where three performances were on Sirius, and one of them was in the matinee series on the Met International network. Belohlavek is an authentic conductor, but I think Fiore does just fine with his excellently prepared cast.
11/22/11 – I love the music in Rusalka and this is the Met’s first season with it. Martin is the only one less than excellent, but the Foreign Princess is a very awkwardly written role, so not all the blame goes to her. Even if some of the names are unknown to you, they are well up to the considerable vocal demands.
7/5/11 – Benackova was the first broadcast Rusalka at the Met, and this performance captures her very well. Heppner early in his Met career is on fine form as is the lesser known Koptchak as the Water Sprite. Martin is a bit tested as the Foreign Princess– a very difficult part, no one makes it sound easy. Still, a lovely opera in a fine performance, and this is well deserving being added to the Met Player repertory besides its visibility on Sirius.
1/17/11 – Benackova to the manner born, and early Heppner. Toczyska and Koptchak really on top of things as well. Love this work.”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 03/06/1954
Cast: Erede; Merrill, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500321 Tags: Archive; 2017
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.”
“OTELLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/11/1967
Cast: Mehta; Caballé, McCracken, Gobbi, Lorenzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500423 Tags: Archive; 2017, Verdi
This is the first Otello broadcast from the new house at Lincoln
Center, and I attended an earlier performance in the run. Caballe is very fine in the fourth act, but earlier acts do not find her fully engaged. McCracken and Gobbi are fully engaged from first note, and Mehta is a solid participant. Sirius continues to deprive us of Tebaldi’s 1955 and 1958 Desdemonas which capture her (especially 1955) in remarkable voice. This performance is available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD)
and definitely worth your time.
1/16/12 – I remember this revival well, but in the house and on the airwaves, it was certainly strongly performed by all. This is Caballe’s first broadcast from the Met, and McCracken, Gobbi and Mehta are wonderful partners. Compared to some other Desdemonas, I found her a little short until Act Four, but in the final act she was on all eight cylinders. I love the chemistry of McCracken and Gobbi. This fine performance is available on MetPlayer also.
There never was a tenor quite like James McCracken—a veritable force of nature vocally, he fought his way to an international career that would come to be dominated by his seething portrayal of the title role of Verdi’s Otello. In this March 11, 1967, broadcast conducted by Zubin Mehta, McCracken’s finely sung Otello rages with a raw-nerve fury but also brings heroic tenderness to the love duet and his final moments. Montserrat Caballé’s singing, regal in its beauty throughout, gives way to towering passion in Desdemona’s clash with Otello in Act III. Tito Gobbi is utter, impeccable evil as Iago, heard in the savage glee he finally takes in hurling Cassio’s name, like a knife, at Otello at the end of Act II.”
“DON GIOVANNI : Mozart
Original Air Date: 02/15/2003
Cast: Cambreling; Mattei, Radvanovsky, Furlanetto, Diener, Trost, Netrebko
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500529 Tags: Archive; 2017, Netrebko, Mozart
This Don Giovanni is a solid performance especially in key roles, and proof that not all fine performances are pre-1980. Radvanovsky and Netrebko have gone on to extraordinary careers, but Mattei and Furlanetto make for a fresh and effective pairing as the Don and Leporello (Mattei will reprise his DON later in the 2014-2015 season, but I don’t think Furlanetto does Leporello so much these days. I’ve listened to this performance
thanks to previous Sirius appearances. Recommended.
8/22/11 – This performance is on Met Player and I think it’s a splendid afternoon. I saw an earlier performance with Mattei and found him one of the very best of recent Giovannis. I’m not forgetting Siepi, but Mattei managed to be both dark of drama and sunny of voice. The women are among the very best of recent trios, with Radvanovsky just starting to take off, Diener very solid, and Netrebko one of the lushest Zerlinas ever. Furlanetto is not chopped liver as Leporello, and Trost is OK. Not all fine
performances took place 40 years ago.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/02/1957
Cast: Stiedry; Harshaw, Windgassen, Böhme, Uhde, Schech, Madeira
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500530 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This is a very solid performance and Windgassen in one of only two broadcasts from his single season at the Met. While Frick was the pre-eminent Wagner bass of the 50s, for Hagen there was a strong competition between Bohme and Greindl for next slot. I always preferred Bohme’s voice. Harshaw is up to the score in every way if without the star presence of Nilsson or Varnay. This performance is also available in MOoD. This used to be a very rare performance.
11/21/11 – The Siegfried from this cycle was on a few weeks ago, and while Harshaw is a far different Brunnhilde than Modl, I look forward to hearing this. These are major Wagnerians (mostly native Europeans) from the late 1950s, and well worth hearing. “
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/02/1957
Cast: Stiedry; Harshaw, Windgassen, Böhme, Uhde, Schech, Madeira
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500531 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This is a very solid performance and Windgassen in one of only two broadcasts from his single season at the Met. While Frick was the pre-eminent Wagner bass of the 50s, for Hagen there was a strong competition between Bohme and Greindl for next slot. I always preferred Bohme’s voice. Harshaw is up to the score in every way if without the star presence of Nilsson or Varnay. This performance is also available in MOoD. This used to be a very rare performance.
11/21/11 – The Siegfried from this cycle was on a few weeks ago, and while Harshaw is a far different Brunnhilde than Modl, I look forward to hearing this. These are major Wagnerians (mostly native Europeans) from the late 1950s, and well worth hearing. “
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 03/06/1954
Cast: Erede; Merrill, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500532 Tags: Archive; 2017
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.”
“RUSALKA : Dvorák
Original Air Date: 12/11/1993
Cast: Fiore; Benacková, Heppner, Martin, Toczyska, Koptchak
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500533 Tags: Archive; 2017
This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is a very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
8/25/14 – This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince
replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
3/4/14 – This is quite a wonderful performance with Benackova, Heppner, and Koptchak especially strong. I love Rusalka and this premiere Met season of it, the ensemble is of high quality. This is a performance that belongs in MOoD.
9/11/12 – I love Rusalka, and this is its only broadcast until Fleming’s 2009 run where three performances were on Sirius, and one of them was in the matinee series on the Met International network. Belohlavek is an authentic conductor, but I think Fiore does just fine with his excellently prepared cast.
11/22/11 – I love the music in Rusalka and this is the Met’s first season with it. Martin is the only one less than excellent, but the Foreign Princess is a very awkwardly written role, so not all the blame goes to her. Even if some of the names are unknown to you, they are well up to the considerable vocal demands.
7/5/11 – Benackova was the first broadcast Rusalka at the Met, and this performance captures her very well. Heppner early in his Met career is on fine form as is the lesser known Koptchak as the Water Sprite. Martin is a bit tested as the Foreign Princess– a very difficult part, no one makes it sound easy. Still, a lovely opera in a fine performance, and this is well deserving being added to the Met Player repertory besides its visibility on Sirius.
1/17/11 – Benackova to the manner born, and early Heppner. Toczyska and Koptchak really on top of things as well. Love this work.”
“DON GIOVANNI : Mozart
Original Air Date: 02/15/2003
Cast: Cambreling; Mattei, Radvanovsky, Furlanetto, Diener, Trost, Netrebko
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500638 Tags: Archive; 2017, Netrebko, Mozart
This Don Giovanni is a solid performance especially in key roles, and proof that not all fine performances are pre-1980. Radvanovsky and Netrebko have gone on to extraordinary careers, but Mattei and Furlanetto make for a fresh and effective pairing as the Don and Leporello (Mattei will reprise his DON later in the 2014-2015 season, but I don’t think Furlanetto does Leporello so much these days. I’ve listened to this performance
thanks to previous Sirius appearances. Recommended.
8/22/11 – This performance is on Met Player and I think it’s a splendid afternoon. I saw an earlier performance with Mattei and found him one of the very best of recent Giovannis. I’m not forgetting Siepi, but Mattei managed to be both dark of drama and sunny of voice. The women are among the very best of recent trios, with Radvanovsky just starting to take off, Diener very solid, and Netrebko one of the lushest Zerlinas ever. Furlanetto is not chopped liver as Leporello, and Trost is OK. Not all fine
performances took place 40 years ago.”
“IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA : Rossini
Original Air Date: 03/06/1954
Cast: Erede; Merrill, Peters, Valletti, Corena, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500744 Tags: Archive; 2017
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: 03/02/1957
Cast: Stiedry; Harshaw, Windgassen, Böhme, Uhde, Schech, Madeira
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500746 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This is a very solid performance and Windgassen in one of only two broadcasts from his single season at the Met. While Frick was the pre-eminent Wagner bass of the 50s, for Hagen there was a strong competition between Bohme and Greindl for next slot. I always preferred Bohme’s voice. Harshaw is up to the score in every way if without the star presence of Nilsson or Varnay. This performance is also available in MOoD. This used to be a very rare performance.
11/21/11 – The Siegfried from this cycle was on a few weeks ago, and while Harshaw is a far different Brunnhilde than Modl, I look forward to hearing this. These are major Wagnerians (mostly native Europeans) from the late 1950s, and well worth hearing. “
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 03/02/1957
Cast: Stiedry; Harshaw, Windgassen, Böhme, Uhde, Schech, Madeira
Media: MOD Audio SID.17500747 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This is a very solid performance and Windgassen in one of only two broadcasts from his single season at the Met. While Frick was the pre-eminent Wagner bass of the 50s, for Hagen there was a strong competition between Bohme and Greindl for next slot. I always preferred Bohme’s voice. Harshaw is up to the score in every way if without the star presence of Nilsson or Varnay. This performance is also available in MOoD. This used to be a very rare performance.
11/21/11 – The Siegfried from this cycle was on a few weeks ago, and while Harshaw is a far different Brunnhilde than Modl, I look forward to hearing this. These are major Wagnerians (mostly native Europeans) from the late 1950s, and well worth hearing. “
“RUSALKA : Dvorák
Original Air Date: 12/11/1993
Cast: Fiore; Benacková, Heppner, Martin, Toczyska, Koptchak
Media: MOD Audio SID.17510101 Tags: Archive; 2017
This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is a very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
8/25/14 – This is from the first Met season for Rusalka and Benackova is a worthy heroine. For the broadcast a young Ben Heppner is the Prince
replacing Neil Rosenshein. There is a later broadcast with Fleming and Antonenko which I don’t remember so well and would love to hear again. Zajick did the Jezibaba premiere but ceded the broadcast to Toczyska who is very fine artist. I love the work, and never miss a chance to hear.
3/4/14 – This is quite a wonderful performance with Benackova, Heppner, and Koptchak especially strong. I love Rusalka and this premiere Met season of it, the ensemble is of high quality. This is a performance that belongs in MOoD.
9/11/12 – I love Rusalka, and this is its only broadcast until Fleming’s 2009 run where three performances were on Sirius, and one of them was in the matinee series on the Met International network. Belohlavek is an authentic conductor, but I think Fiore does just fine with his excellently prepared cast.
11/22/11 – I love the music in Rusalka and this is the Met’s first season with it. Martin is the only one less than excellent, but the Foreign Princess is a very awkwardly written role, so not all the blame goes to her. Even if some of the names are unknown to you, they are well up to the considerable vocal demands.
7/5/11 – Benackova was the first broadcast Rusalka at the Met, and this performance captures her very well. Heppner early in his Met career is on fine form as is the lesser known Koptchak as the Water Sprite. Martin is a bit tested as the Foreign Princess– a very difficult part, no one makes it sound easy. Still, a lovely opera in a fine performance, and this is well deserving being added to the Met Player repertory besides its visibility on Sirius.
1/17/11 – Benackova to the manner born, and early Heppner. Toczyska and Koptchak really on top of things as well. Love this work.”
“LA JUIVE : Halévy
Original Air Date: 12/13/2003
Cast: Viotti; Isokoski, Shicoff, Futral, Cutler, Furlanetto
Media: MOD Audio SID.17510105 Tags: Archive; 2017
Viotti died only a year or so after premiering the Juive. He was a real talent, and Shicoff, Isokoski and Furlanetto all bring their considerable talents in a production transferred from Vienna. This is the Met’s first season since the mid 1930s and its only broadcast to date. Some early 1930s operas were broadcast but don’t exist. La Juive was never broadcast until 2003.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/10/1953
Cast: Reiner; Schöffler, de los Angeles, Hopf, Pechner, Greindl, Holm
Media: MOD Audio SID.17510210 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This performance has been on Sirius before and is in the Sony Wagner at the Met box. For me, the distinctions are chiefly Reiner, Schoffler, and de los Angeles. Greindl, the Pogner, Holm, the David make their final Met appearances on this broadcast.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/10/1953
Cast: Reiner; Schöffler, de los Angeles, Hopf, Pechner, Greindl, Holm
Media: MOD Audio SID.17510211 Tags: Archive; 2017, Wagner
This performance has been on Sirius before and is in the Sony Wagner at the Met box. For me, the distinctions are chiefly Reiner, Schoffler, and de los Angeles. Greindl, the Pogner, Holm, the David make their final Met appearances on this broadcast.”
“DER ROSENKAVALIER : Strauss
Original Air Date: 02/18/1956
Cast: Kempe; Stevens, Della Casa; Edelmann, Güden, Herbert
Media: MOD Audio SID.17510212 Tags: Archive; 2017, Strauss
Sadly, we lost Della Casa this past week [December 2012]. No more
beautiful woman ever trod the operatic stage. With Kempe in the pit
for his final Met broadcast, this is a wonderful all-around performance.
5/3/11 – This performance has been on, but not frequently. I found a reference to my hearing it in January 2010, but Met Database does not show it has having been on Sirius. In any case I give the performance an absolute rave. If maybe a little late for Stevens, Della Casa and Guden are in absolute prime. Kempe appeared too little and we certainly need his Arabella (in English) with Steber, Guden and London to appear on Sirius. Don’t miss.”
“FAUST : Gounod
Original Air Date: 12/10/2011
Cast: Nézet-Séguin; Kaufmann, Poplavskaya, Pape, Braun, Losier
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.17510317 Tags: Archive; 2017
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the
Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing
aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.
11/16/15 – The Met website continues to show the wrong broadcast date (20th) for this performance.
11/9/15 – This is the first time the Nezet-Seguin/Kaufmann Faust has appeared in the archival series. It was on several times including December 10, 2011 which was the Live in HD Transmission (part of Met Opera on Demand video offerings) and a Toll Brothers matinee. Thanks to Wendell Eatherly for listening to this morning’s introduction (I was in the shower and off to work) Contrary to the Met and Sirius’ postings of 12/20/2011 — which was broadcast on that EVENING as part of regular live transmissions, but not part of the Toll Brothers matinees which make up the broadcast base for archival rebroadcast, the December 10, 2011 Toll Brothers matinee is being broadcast this morning. We’ll see how long it takes before the published Met web page shows the right date.
Nezet-Seguin’s conducting was one of the best things he’s done at the Met, and both Kaufmann and Pape were excellent if not exactly erasing aural memories of Bjorling and Siepi (1950 and 1959). The two blots for me were Poplavskaya as Marguerite and the misconceived production by Des McAnuff which will not disturb listening.”