PORGY AND BESS: Gershwins
Original Air Date: 02/01/2020
David Robertson: Eric Owens, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore, Frederick Ballentine, Alfred Walker, Golda Schultz
Live in HD SID.20050600
Single Intermission
Backstage Pass – HD Host Audra McDonald interviews Angel Blue and
Eric Owens
Mary Jo Hearth interviews Joyce DiDonato about Agrippina
Mary Jo Hearth interviews Anita Hartig about Le Nozze di Figaro
Backstage Pass – HD Host Audra McDonald interviews Latonia Moore,
Golda Schultz, and Denyce Graves
Backstage Pass – HD Host Audra McDonald interviews
Frederick Ballentine and Alfred Walker
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060101
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060102
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.
DON PASQUALE:Donizetti
Rescigno; Bacquier, Sills, Kraus, Hagegård
Original Air Date: 01/20/1979
MOD Audio
SID.20060208
This is Beverly Sills’ farewell production and her company farewell comes at the end of the Met spring tour in Detroit. This is the audio broadcast that followed the national telecast by 9 days, and marks her Metropolitan Opera House farewell. Both performances are available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD). I find Sills’ video a congenial interpretation even if I prefer the Netrebko video. For audio, I prefer the younger Kraus with Grist and Corena.
AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY:Picker
Conlon; Gunn, Racette, Graham, Zajick, Larmore
Original Air Date: 12/24/2005
MOD Audio
SID.20060211
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.
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060318
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.
AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY:Picker
Conlon; Gunn, Racette, Graham, Zajick, Larmore
Original Air Date: 12/24/2005
MOD Audio
SID.20060422
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.
DON PASQUALE:Donizetti
Rescigno; Bacquier, Sills, Kraus, Hagegård
Original Air Date: 01/20/1979
MOD Audio
SID.20060424
This is Beverly Sills’ farewell production and her company farewell comes at the end of the Met spring tour in Detroit. This is the audio broadcast that followed the national telecast by 9 days, and marks her Metropolitan Opera House farewell. Both performances are available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD). I find Sills’ video a congenial interpretation even if I prefer the Netrebko video. For audio, I prefer the younger Kraus with Grist and Corena.
LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN:Offenbach
Baudo; Gedda, Bacquier, Boky, Crespin, Amara, von Stade
Original Air Date: 04/10/1971
MOD Audio
SID.20060534
The fall performances went unbroadcast. This 1970/71 Hoffmann was divided between a fall group with Grist, Elias, and Lorengar in the three ladies and the spring offering was Boky, Crespin, and Amara. The excellent Gedda and Bacquier were in both parts of the revival. In the fall performances Grist and Lorengar were excellent. The broadcast does not come until spring, Crespin’s Giulietta while visually dazzling was one rocky ride on the Venetian canal. Amara sang a solid Antonia, but her tone never had the luster of a Lorengar. Boky is similarly lacking compared to Grist. Baudo is no Julius Rudel (among the best conductors I’ve ever heard for Hoffmann) or Chailly, let alone Monteux who originated the production in 1955. What should be mentioned is the strong supporting cast including von Stade as Nicklausse , Velis in the four comic tenor parts, and Paul Franke as an inimitable Spalanzani.
AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY:Picker
Conlon; Gunn, Racette, Graham, Zajick, Larmore
Original Air Date: 12/24/2005
MOD Audio
SID.20060637
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.
DON PASQUALE:Donizetti
Rescigno; Bacquier, Sills, Kraus, Hagegård
Original Air Date: 01/20/1979
MOD Audio
SID.20060641
This is Beverly Sills’ farewell production and her company farewell comes at the end of the Met spring tour in Detroit. This is the audio broadcast that followed the national telecast by 9 days, and marks her Metropolitan Opera House farewell. Both performances are available in Met Opera on Demand (MOoD). I find Sills’ video a congenial interpretation even if I prefer the Netrebko video. For audio, I prefer the younger Kraus with Grist and Corena.
TURANDOT:Puccini
Mehta; Nilsson, Freni, Corelli, Giaiotti
Original Air Date: 12/03/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20070102
This performance is Included in the Met’s 50th Anniversary collection. Turandot: The Best To Date at New Met [Unsigned review in the Journal-American of opening night September 26, 1966] The celebrating the opening of the new opera house over, the Metropolitan Opera settled for repertory last night and put on its best show to date. Puccini’s Turandot began the regular subscription season as a five-year old production that readily adjusted itself to new surroundings. It looked handsome, and it moved handsomely. Sighs. Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli took the leading roles as usual, the singing was magnificent. What else is there to say! This was a beautifully knit performance. Cecil Beaton’s sets and costumes rate among the best creations. Nathaniel Merrill has achieved some of the most imaginative staging. The cast is excellent. A new element entered with Zubin Mehta taking the conductor’s assignment. He imparts vitality and usually comprehends everything he does. The live acoustics of the pit led to overloud playing, but most interestingly he restrained himself in giving full rein to Puccini’s romanticism.
DAS RHEINGOLD:Wagner
Levine; Welch-Babidge, Petrova, Zifchak, Bunnell, Zaremba, Naef, Baker, Langridge, Siegel, Fink, Held, Nikitin, Koptchak, Morris
Original Air Date: 03/20/2004
MOD Audio
SID.20070208
There are multiple Rheingolds with Morris and Levine on MOoD; this is from Morris penultimate season in the Ring at the Met. The 1961 Leinsdorf Nilsson Ring has been on Sirius, but only the Walkure and Gotterdammerung have made their way to MOoD. The 1951 and 1957 Rheingolds make it to MOoD as well, but no Siegfied pre-Levine is on MOoD except the 1937 Bodanzky Melchior.
DAS RHEINGOLD:Wagner
Levine; Welch-Babidge, Petrova, Zifchak, Bunnell, Zaremba, Naef, Baker, Langridge, Siegel, Fink, Held, Nikitin, Koptchak, Morris
Original Air Date: 03/20/2004
MOD Audio
SID.20070211
There are multiple Rheingolds with Morris and Levine on MOoD; this is from Morris penultimate season in the Ring at the Met. The 1961 Leinsdorf Nilsson Ring has been on Sirius, but only the Walkure and Gotterdammerung have made their way to MOoD. The 1951 and 1957 Rheingolds make it to MOoD as well, but no Siegfied pre-Levine is on MOoD except the 1937 Bodanzky Melchior.
TANNHÄUSER:Wagner
Elder; Seiffert, Voigt, DeYoung, Hampson, Moll
Original Air Date: 12/18/2004
MOD Audio
SID.20070317
Seiffert was a more effective Tannhauser than I expected, but my memories of this broadcast from all participants is more solid than memorable.
TURANDOT:Puccini
Mehta; Nilsson, Freni, Corelli, Giaiotti
Original Air Date: 12/03/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20070318
This performance is Included in the Met’s 50th Anniversary collection. Turandot: The Best To Date at New Met [Unsigned review in the Journal-American of opening night September 26, 1966] The celebrating the opening of the new opera house over, the Metropolitan Opera settled for repertory last night and put on its best show to date. Puccini’s Turandot began the regular subscription season as a five-year old production that readily adjusted itself to new surroundings. It looked handsome, and it moved handsomely. Sighs. Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli took the leading roles as usual, the singing was magnificent. What else is there to say! This was a beautifully knit performance. Cecil Beaton’s sets and costumes rate among the best creations. Nathaniel Merrill has achieved some of the most imaginative staging. The cast is excellent. A new element entered with Zubin Mehta taking the conductor’s assignment. He imparts vitality and usually comprehends everything he does. The live acoustics of the pit led to overloud playing, but most interestingly he restrained himself in giving full rein to Puccini’s romanticism.
TURANDOT:Puccini
Mehta; Nilsson, Freni, Corelli, Giaiotti
Original Air Date: 12/03/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20070422
This performance is Included in the Met’s 50th Anniversary collection. Turandot: The Best To Date at New Met [Unsigned review in the Journal-American of opening night September 26, 1966] The celebrating the opening of the new opera house over, the Metropolitan Opera settled for repertory last night and put on its best show to date. Puccini’s Turandot began the regular subscription season as a five-year old production that readily adjusted itself to new surroundings. It looked handsome, and it moved handsomely. Sighs. Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli took the leading roles as usual, the singing was magnificent. What else is there to say! This was a beautifully knit performance. Cecil Beaton’s sets and costumes rate among the best creations. Nathaniel Merrill has achieved some of the most imaginative staging. The cast is excellent. A new element entered with Zubin Mehta taking the conductor’s assignment. He imparts vitality and usually comprehends everything he does. The live acoustics of the pit led to overloud playing, but most interestingly he restrained himself in giving full rein to Puccini’s romanticism.
DAS RHEINGOLD:Wagner
Levine; Welch-Babidge, Petrova, Zifchak, Bunnell, Zaremba, Naef, Baker, Langridge, Siegel, Fink, Held, Nikitin, Koptchak, Morris
Original Air Date: 03/20/2004
MOD Audio
SID.20070427
There are multiple Rheingolds with Morris and Levine on MOoD; this is from Morris penultimate season in the Ring at the Met. The 1961 Leinsdorf Nilsson Ring has been on Sirius, but only the Walkure and Gotterdammerung have made their way to MOoD. The 1951 and 1957 Rheingolds make it to MOoD as well, but no Siegfied pre-Levine is on MOoD except the 1937 Bodanzky Melchior.
TANNHÄUSER:Wagner
Elder; Seiffert, Voigt, DeYoung, Hampson, Moll
Original Air Date: 12/18/2004
MOD Audio
SID.20070533
Seiffert was a more effective Tannhauser than I expected, but my memories of this broadcast from all participants is more solid than memorable.
TURANDOT:Puccini
Mehta; Nilsson, Freni, Corelli, Giaiotti
Original Air Date: 12/03/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20070534
This performance is Included in the Met’s 50th Anniversary collection. Turandot: The Best To Date at New Met [Unsigned review in the Journal-American of opening night September 26, 1966] The celebrating the opening of the new opera house over, the Metropolitan Opera settled for repertory last night and put on its best show to date. Puccini’s Turandot began the regular subscription season as a five-year old production that readily adjusted itself to new surroundings. It looked handsome, and it moved handsomely. Sighs. Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli took the leading roles as usual, the singing was magnificent. What else is there to say! This was a beautifully knit performance. Cecil Beaton’s sets and costumes rate among the best creations. Nathaniel Merrill has achieved some of the most imaginative staging. The cast is excellent. A new element entered with Zubin Mehta taking the conductor’s assignment. He imparts vitality and usually comprehends everything he does. The live acoustics of the pit led to overloud playing, but most interestingly he restrained himself in giving full rein to Puccini’s romanticism.
DAS RHEINGOLD:Wagner
Levine; Welch-Babidge, Petrova, Zifchak, Bunnell, Zaremba, Naef, Baker, Langridge, Siegel, Fink, Held, Nikitin, Koptchak, Morris
Original Air Date: 03/20/2004
MOD Audio
SID.20070744
There are multiple Rheingolds with Morris and Levine on MOoD; this is from Morris’s penultimate season in the Ring at the Met. The 1961 Leinsdorf Nilsson Ring has been on Sirius, but only the Walkure and Gotterdammerung have made their way to MOoD. The 1951 and 1957 Rheingolds make it to MOoD as well, but no Siegfied pre-Levine is on MOoD except the 1937 Bodanzky Melchior.
TANNHÄUSER:Wagner
Elder; Seiffert, Voigt, DeYoung, Hampson, Moll
Original Air Date: 12/18/2004
MOD Audio
SID.20080101
Seiffert was a more effective Tannhauser than expected, but memories of this broadcast from all participants is more solid than memorable.
ROMÉO ET JULIETTE:Gounod
Molinari-Pradelli; Gedda, Freni, Macurdy, Baldwin, Reardon
Original Air Date: 04/13/1968
MOD Audio
SID.20080102
Molinari-Pradelli is an improvement on Domingo in the pit, but others are still much better. Gedda and Freni are not ideal, but it’s a wonderful memory of her youthful singing at the Met, and she is more alive on the broadcast than in the studio (and many performances) with Corelli.
PARSIFAL:Wagner
Levine; Vickers, Ludwig, Weikl, Talvela, Shinall
Original Air Date: 04/14/1979
MOD Audio
SID.20080103
There is another Vickers Parsifal broadcast from 1985 which features Rysanek, Estes, Moll, and Mazura. This performance was issued on CD as a Guild special but has not been rebroadcast in any other form. At the minimum, it should appear on Sirius, since the restoration work has already been done. How did Shinall and Talvela, whose voice does not have the roundness of a Moll or Siepi or Pape end up in these roles.
PARSIFAL:Wagner
Levine; Vickers, Ludwig, Weikl, Talvela, Shinall
Original Air Date: 04/14/1979
MOD Audio
SID.20080104
There is another Vickers Parsifal broadcast from 1985 which features Rysanek, Estes, Moll, and Mazura. This performance was issued on CD as a Guild special but has not been rebroadcast in any other form. At the minimum, it should appear on Sirius, since the restoration work has already been done. How did Shinall and Talvela, whose voice does not have the roundness of a Moll or Siepi or Pape end up in these roles.
DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN:Strauss
Böhm; Rysanek, King, Ludwig, Berry, Dalis
Original Air Date: 12/17/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20080105
This is the Met broadcast premiere of one of Strauss’ greatest works. Hearing the performance almost five decades later it still holds up as one of the great ensemble and individual performance efforts in Met history. All of the singers are excellent, and for radio only, the voice that makes the best effect is Walter Berry. His work may be less well known to newer opera-goers, but he is favorite Barak on disc or in the theatre. FiDi was by all accounts quite memorable in the theatre. This performance is now on the Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) series as well as part of the Met at Lincoln Center 50th anniversary CD box.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA:Barber
Schippers; Díaz, Price, Thomas, Flagello, Elias
Original Air Date: 09/16/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20080107
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. 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.