“CARMEN : Bizet
Original Air Date: 01/12/1974
Cast: Lewis; Horne, McCracken, Amara, Reardon
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030102 Tags: Archive; 2018
I’m rather down on this performance from its most recent rebroadcast.
Lewis’conducting lacks snap or allure, and Horne without Bernstein to
challenge her seems too wayward for me. If you want to sample Horne
and McCracken, listen to the studio based on the first performances of
the production from the previous season; the March 1973 broadcast (same cast except Krause for Reardon) is only slightly better. Check the DG recording with Lenny.”
“LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR : Donizetti
Original Air Date: 12/08/1956
Cast: Cleva; Callas, Campora, Sordello, Moscona
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030103 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Callas’ only broadcast in the Met matinee series, and is not notable for her cast or her performance. Lucia is one of her most famous parts, but by general consensus she is much better heard live in Berlin under Karajan.”
“RIGOLETTO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 02/24/1990
Cast: Panni; Nucci, Anderson, Pavarotti, Furlanetto, Svendén
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030104 Tags: Archive; 2018, Pavarotti, Verdi
This performance was of the new Otto Schenk production, catching both Anderson and Pavarotti in particularly good voice. Held is a solid Monterone (Sirius does not list, but I find it a very important, if short role).
—————
10/17/11 This performance is Pavarotti’s 3d Duke broadcast (the first was from 17 years earlier). As I remember this 1990 performance, he was in very good voice ; this performance is also available on Met Player. Nucci was a highly dependable Rigoletto, if not the crowd favorite Warren or MacNeil were at their best.
I had forgotten that Furlanetto was the Sparafucile, and Alan Held the Monterone. Monterone is one of the shortest parts in opera, but a good one can really supercharge a Rigoletto. I would think Held would be well cast (I don’t remember his performance), but my two Monterones are Giaiotti and Morris (Giaiotti’s only broadcast is MacNeil’s first broadcast Rigoletto from 1960 and includes for further
bass clef plush Tozzi– we need to hear this on Sirius!!!; Morris is available on Met Player with Pavarotti from 1973).”
“DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/16/1963
Cast: Böhm; London, Rysanek, Kónya, Tozzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030209 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This is a legendary partnership of Bohm with London and Rysanek. Bohm and Rysanek are together for two later broadcasts in 1965 with David Ward, and 1970 with William Dooley. Neither of those have been on Sirius. This 1963 broadcast was swapped with Ariadne 2 weeks earlier when the Hollander cast could not be assembled. That swap denied the broadcast audience the chance to hear Della Casa’s Ariadne. For my money there is no Senta like Rysanek. Read the Opera-L archives for my appreciation (I saw a tour performance from the stage). Rysanek and London are certainly a remarkable pair, and the applause for their Act 2 duet (in the 3 act version) regularly seemed unending.
———-
10/10/11 This performance was originally scheduled 2 weeks earlier when Konya was sick and Ariadne was switched at the last minute (and effectively knocked Della Casa out of an Ariadne broadcast). The Met Hollander premiere 3 years earlier with Rysanek and London was with Schippers. Bohm takes command of 3 broadcasts all with Rysanek, but David Ward is on the second (I would love to hear this again– a fine singer almost forgotten), and the third in 1970 with Dooley. For me, Senta and Kaiserin are Rysanek’s two most singular creations. There is nothing like the finale and as I’ve noted in other Opera-L postings I once saw this creation from the stage with her first husband standing right behind me. Fortunately this performance is on Met Player, and is far more thrilling than the studio performance with much the same cast under Dorati.”
“FALSTAFF : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/16/1967
Cast: Amaducci; Flagello, Curtin, Guarrera, Barbieri, Raskin, Alva
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030315 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
Barbieri, Guarrera, and Alva are veterans of many Falstaffs, and Flagello features a lot of voice for a bass Falstaff. Amaducci, by memory, didn’t have much sparkle. High praise for Alva and Barbieri; she is a characterful Quickly, and he a perfect Fenton, but Amaducci is possibly the weakest Falstaff conductor in Met history(certainly on broadcasts).
The 1964 Bernstein has never been on Sirius, and though the Met Database records the 1972 as having been on Sirius with Gobbi, Tebaldi, and Paskalis under von Dohnanyi, it has not been on more than once, and should be heard again. Both of these performances belong in MOoD not this performance.
Flagello who had one of the great voices in a time when the Met’s bass cabinet was chock full sings the part very well, but for this work, you must have a conductor to work with you, and that he doesn’t have. Alas, Falstaff is about ensemble, not individual efforts.”
“SUSANNAH : Floyd
Original Air Date: 04/03/1999
Cast: Conlon; Fleming, Hadley, Ramey
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030316 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the Met’s only broadcast of Susannah to date, and finds all three principals on especially fine form. I’ve seen the opera 4 times, and each time it is very successful and attention holding. Even without the visual appeal, the opera makes an impact from the music alone.
This was a highly successful Met repertory debut for the Carlisle Floyd opera and both Fleming and Ramey are extremely well cast. Conlon is very committed to the work, and it is a contemporary work that works almost as well in audio only as in the theatre with its sure-fire theatrics. One of the best efforts of the Met for both American and contemporary opera.
Very fine performances from both Fleming and Ramey under Conlon bring great credit to the Met and the artists. One of the most distinctive broadcasts of the week.
This is one of Fleming’s very best outings, and Ramey and Hadley are well cast as well. One of the better 20th century American operas.”
“UN BALLO IN MASCHERA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 02/26/1966
Cast: Molinari-Pradelli; Bergonzi, Price, Merrill, Peters, Dunn
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030317 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the first of Corelli’s four Don Carlo broadcasts and the 1964 performance which was issued in 2011 on Sony only retains Dalis and Uhde in their roles.
Since Curtis-Verna is generally underrepresented, I am happy to have this on, but the missing broadcast which is earnestly called for is Bing’s final broadcast as general manager from 1972 with Siepi and Amara returning in their roles from Bing’s inaugural broadcast 22 years earlier.
Curtis-Verna only has one other broadcast, that of Aida in 1957 replacing Tebaldi who had withdrawn the day before due to her mother’s death. Curtis-Verna has a very respectable 97 performances over 9 seasons all in leads, but does not make it past 1966 into the new House. She was interviewed in Opera News before her death in 2009 and finished off her career with a distinguished tenure at University of Washington for more than 3 decades in their voice department.”
“CARMEN : Bizet
Original Air Date: 01/12/1974
Cast: Lewis; Horne, McCracken, Amara, Reardon
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030318 Tags: Archive; 2018
I’m rather down on this performance from its most recent rebroadcast.
Lewis’conducting lacks snap or allure, and Horne without Bernstein to
challenge her seems too wayward for me. If you want to sample Horne
and McCracken, listen to the studio based on the first performances of
the production from the previous season; the March 1973 broadcast (same cast except Krause for Reardon) is only slightly better. Check the DG recording with Lenny.”
“LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR : Donizetti
Original Air Date: 12/08/1956
Cast: Cleva; Callas, Campora, Sordello, Moscona
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030319 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Callas’ only broadcast in the Met matinee series, and is not notable for her cast or her performance. Lucia is one of her most famous parts, but by general consensus she is much better heard live in Berlin under Karajan.”
“RIGOLETTO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 02/24/1990
Cast: Panni; Nucci, Anderson, Pavarotti, Furlanetto, Svendén
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030320 Tags: Archive; 2018, Pavarotti, Verdi
This performance was of the new Otto Schenk production, catching both Anderson and Pavarotti in particularly good voice. Held is a solid Monterone (Sirius does not list, but I find it a very important, if short role).
—————
10/17/11 This performance is Pavarotti’s 3d Duke broadcast (the first was from 17 years earlier). As I remember this 1990 performance, he was in very good voice ; this performance is also available on Met Player. Nucci was a highly dependable Rigoletto, if not the crowd favorite Warren or MacNeil were at their best.
I had forgotten that Furlanetto was the Sparafucile, and Alan Held the Monterone. Monterone is one of the shortest parts in opera, but a good one can really supercharge a Rigoletto. I would think Held would be well cast (I don’t remember his performance), but my two Monterones are Giaiotti and Morris (Giaiotti’s only broadcast is MacNeil’s first broadcast Rigoletto from 1960 and includes for further
bass clef plush Tozzi– we need to hear this on Sirius!!!; Morris is available on Met Player with Pavarotti from 1973).”
“CARMEN : Bizet
Original Air Date: 01/12/1974
Cast: Lewis; Horne, McCracken, Amara, Reardon
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030422 Tags: Archive; 2018
I’m rather down on this performance from its most recent rebroadcast.
Lewis’conducting lacks snap or allure, and Horne without Bernstein to
challenge her seems too wayward for me. If you want to sample Horne
and McCracken, listen to the studio based on the first performances of
the production from the previous season; the March 1973 broadcast (same cast except Krause for Reardon) is only slightly better. Check the DG recording with Lenny.”
“FALSTAFF : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/16/1967
Cast: Amaducci; Flagello, Curtin, Guarrera, Barbieri, Raskin, Alva
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030423 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
Barbieri, Guarrera, and Alva are veterans of many Falstaffs, and Flagello features a lot of voice for a bass Falstaff. Amaducci, by memory, didn’t have much sparkle. High praise for Alva and Barbieri; she is a characterful Quickly, and he a perfect Fenton, but Amaducci is possibly the weakest Falstaff conductor in Met history(certainly on broadcasts).
The 1964 Bernstein has never been on Sirius, and though the Met Database records the 1972 as having been on Sirius with Gobbi, Tebaldi, and Paskalis under von Dohnanyi, it has not been on more than once, and should be heard again. Both of these performances belong in MOoD not this performance.
Flagello who had one of the great voices in a time when the Met’s bass cabinet was chock full sings the part very well, but for this work, you must have a conductor to work with you, and that he doesn’t have. Alas, Falstaff is about ensemble, not individual efforts.”
“DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/16/1963
Cast: Böhm; London, Rysanek, Kónya, Tozzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030425 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This is a legendary partnership of Bohm with London and Rysanek. Bohm and Rysanek are together for two later broadcasts in 1965 with David Ward, and 1970 with William Dooley. Neither of those have been on Sirius. This 1963 broadcast was swapped with Ariadne 2 weeks earlier when the Hollander cast could not be assembled. That swap denied the broadcast audience the chance to hear Della Casa’s Ariadne. For my money there is no Senta like Rysanek. Read the Opera-L archives for my appreciation (I saw a tour performance from the stage). Rysanek and London are certainly a remarkable pair, and the applause for their Act 2 duet (in the 3 act version) regularly seemed unending.
———-
10/10/11 This performance was originally scheduled 2 weeks earlier when Konya was sick and Ariadne was switched at the last minute (and effectively knocked Della Casa out of an Ariadne broadcast). The Met Hollander premiere 3 years earlier with Rysanek and London was with Schippers. Bohm takes command of 3 broadcasts all with Rysanek, but David Ward is on the second (I would love to hear this again– a fine singer almost forgotten), and the third in 1970 with Dooley. For me, Senta and Kaiserin are Rysanek’s two most singular creations. There is nothing like the finale and as I’ve noted in other Opera-L postings I once saw this creation from the stage with her first husband standing right behind me. Fortunately this performance is on Met Player, and is far more thrilling than the studio performance with much the same cast under Dorati.”
“SUSANNAH : Floyd
Original Air Date: 04/03/1999
Cast: Conlon; Fleming, Hadley, Ramey
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030529 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the Met’s only broadcast of Susannah to date, and finds all three principals on especially fine form. I’ve seen the opera 4 times, and each time it is very successful and attention holding. Even without the visual appeal, the opera makes an impact from the music alone.
This was a highly successful Met repertory debut for the Carlisle Floyd opera and both Fleming and Ramey are extremely well cast. Conlon is very committed to the work, and it is a contemporary work that works almost as well in audio only as in the theatre with its sure-fire theatrics. One of the best efforts of the Met for both American and contemporary opera.
Very fine performances from both Fleming and Ramey under Conlon bring great credit to the Met and the artists. One of the most distinctive broadcasts of the week.
This is one of Fleming’s very best outings, and Ramey and Hadley are well cast as well. One of the better 20th century American operas.”
“UN BALLO IN MASCHERA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 02/26/1966
Cast: Molinari-Pradelli; Bergonzi, Price, Merrill, Peters, Dunn
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030533 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This is the first of Corelli’s four Don Carlo broadcasts and the 1964 performance which was issued in 2011 on Sony only retains Dalis and Uhde in their roles.
Since Curtis-Verna is generally underrepresented, I am happy to have this on, but the missing broadcast which is earnestly called for is Bing’s final broadcast as general manager from 1972 with Siepi and Amara returning in their roles from Bing’s inaugural broadcast 22 years earlier.
Curtis-Verna only has one other broadcast, that of Aida in 1957 replacing Tebaldi who had withdrawn the day before due to her mother’s death. Curtis-Verna has a very respectable 97 performances over 9 seasons all in leads, but does not make it past 1966 into the new House. She was interviewed in Opera News before her death in 2009 and finished off her career with a distinguished tenure at University of Washington for more than 3 decades in their voice department.”
“CARMEN : Bizet
Original Air Date: 01/12/1974
Cast: Lewis; Horne, McCracken, Amara, Reardon
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030534 Tags: Archive; 2018
I’m rather down on this performance from its most recent rebroadcast.
Lewis’conducting lacks snap or allure, and Horne without Bernstein to
challenge her seems too wayward for me. If you want to sample Horne
and McCracken, listen to the studio based on the first performances of
the production from the previous season; the March 1973 broadcast (same cast except Krause for Reardon) is only slightly better. Check the DG recording with Lenny.”
“LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR : Donizetti
Original Air Date: 12/08/1956
Cast: Cleva; Callas, Campora, Sordello, Moscona
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030535 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Callas’ only broadcast in the Met matinee series, and is not notable for her cast or her performance. Lucia is one of her most famous parts, but by general consensus she is much better heard live in Berlin under Karajan.”
“RIGOLETTO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 02/24/1990
Cast: Panni; Nucci, Anderson, Pavarotti, Furlanetto, Svendén
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030636 Tags: Archive; 2018, Pavarotti, Verdi
This performance was of the new Otto Schenk production, catching both Anderson and Pavarotti in particularly good voice. Held is a solid Monterone (Sirius does not list, but I find it a very important, if short role).
—————
10/17/11 This performance is Pavarotti’s 3d Duke broadcast (the first was from 17 years earlier). As I remember this 1990 performance, he was in very good voice ; this performance is also available on Met Player. Nucci was a highly dependable Rigoletto, if not the crowd favorite Warren or MacNeil were at their best.
I had forgotten that Furlanetto was the Sparafucile, and Alan Held the Monterone. Monterone is one of the shortest parts in opera, but a good one can really supercharge a Rigoletto. I would think Held would be well cast (I don’t remember his performance), but my two Monterones are Giaiotti and Morris (Giaiotti’s only broadcast is MacNeil’s first broadcast Rigoletto from 1960 and includes for further
bass clef plush Tozzi– we need to hear this on Sirius!!!; Morris is available on Met Player with Pavarotti from 1973).”
“SUSANNAH : Floyd
Original Air Date: 04/03/1999
Cast: Conlon; Fleming, Hadley, Ramey
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030638 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the Met’s only broadcast of Susannah to date, and finds all three principals on especially fine form. I’ve seen the opera 4 times, and each time it is very successful and attention holding. Even without the visual appeal, the opera makes an impact from the music alone.
This was a highly successful Met repertory debut for the Carlisle Floyd opera and both Fleming and Ramey are extremely well cast. Conlon is very committed to the work, and it is a contemporary work that works almost as well in audio only as in the theatre with its sure-fire theatrics. One of the best efforts of the Met for both American and contemporary opera.
Very fine performances from both Fleming and Ramey under Conlon bring great credit to the Met and the artists. One of the most distinctive broadcasts of the week.
This is one of Fleming’s very best outings, and Ramey and Hadley are well cast as well. One of the better 20th century American operas.”
“DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER : Wagner
Original Air Date: 02/16/1963
Cast: Böhm; London, Rysanek, Kónya, Tozzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030642 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This is a legendary partnership of Bohm with London and Rysanek. Bohm and Rysanek are together for two later broadcasts in 1965 with David Ward, and 1970 with William Dooley. Neither of those have been on Sirius. This 1963 broadcast was swapped with Ariadne 2 weeks earlier when the Hollander cast could not be assembled. That swap denied the broadcast audience the chance to hear Della Casa’s Ariadne. For my money there is no Senta like Rysanek. Read the Opera-L archives for my appreciation (I saw a tour performance from the stage). Rysanek and London are certainly a remarkable pair, and the applause for their Act 2 duet (in the 3 act version) regularly seemed unending.
———-
10/10/11 This performance was originally scheduled 2 weeks earlier when Konya was sick and Ariadne was switched at the last minute (and effectively knocked Della Casa out of an Ariadne broadcast). The Met Hollander premiere 3 years earlier with Rysanek and London was with Schippers. Bohm takes command of 3 broadcasts all with Rysanek, but David Ward is on the second (I would love to hear this again– a fine singer almost forgotten), and the third in 1970 with Dooley. For me, Senta and Kaiserin are Rysanek’s two most singular creations. There is nothing like the finale and as I’ve noted in other Opera-L postings I once saw this creation from the stage with her first husband standing right behind me. Fortunately this performance is on Met Player, and is far more thrilling than the studio performance with much the same cast under Dorati.”
“FALSTAFF : Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/16/1967
Cast: Amaducci; Flagello, Curtin, Guarrera, Barbieri, Raskin, Alva
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030748 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
Barbieri, Guarrera, and Alva are veterans of many Falstaffs, and Flagello features a lot of voice for a bass Falstaff. Amaducci, by memory, didn’t have much sparkle. High praise for Alva and Barbieri; she is a characterful Quickly, and he a perfect Fenton, but Amaducci is possibly the weakest Falstaff conductor in Met history(certainly on broadcasts).
The 1964 Bernstein has never been on Sirius, and though the Met Database records the 1972 as having been on Sirius with Gobbi, Tebaldi, and Paskalis under von Dohnanyi, it has not been on more than once, and should be heard again. Both of these performances belong in MOoD not this performance.
Flagello who had one of the great voices in a time when the Met’s bass cabinet was chock full sings the part very well, but for this work, you must have a conductor to work with you, and that he doesn’t have. Alas, Falstaff is about ensemble, not individual efforts.”
“SUSANNAH : Floyd
Original Air Date: 04/03/1999
Cast: Conlon; Fleming, Hadley, Ramey
Media: MOD Audio SID.18030749 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is the Met’s only broadcast of Susannah to date, and finds all three principals on especially fine form. I’ve seen the opera 4 times, and each time it is very successful and attention holding. Even without the visual appeal, the opera makes an impact from the music alone.
This was a highly successful Met repertory debut for the Carlisle Floyd opera and both Fleming and Ramey are extremely well cast. Conlon is very committed to the work, and it is a contemporary work that works almost as well in audio only as in the theatre with its sure-fire theatrics. One of the best efforts of the Met for both American and contemporary opera.
Very fine performances from both Fleming and Ramey under Conlon bring great credit to the Met and the artists. One of the most distinctive broadcasts of the week.
This is one of Fleming’s very best outings, and Ramey and Hadley are well cast as well. One of the better 20th century American operas.”
“NORMA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 04/04/1970
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Horne, Bergonzi, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040210 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Sutherland/Horne’s first of two Met broadcasts of Norma (both in 1970 but different seasons). One will not find stronger support than Bergonzi and Siepi, and the ladies stand up very well to the competition.
This performance is available in MOoD, and if the fall performances
are even half this level we will be very lucky indeed.
6/15/2012 This is the first Sutherland/Horne Norma broadcast, and the only appearances I know for Bergonzi as Pollione. Siepi goes back to Milanov and Callas. This is available also on MOoD (Met Opera on Demand) so you can listen to it anytime you want. The
ladies’ duet singing is remarkable.”
“HÄNSEL UND GRETEL : Humperdinck
Original Air Date: 12/29/2001
Cast: Mackerras; Larmore, Upshaw, Forst, Blythe, Josephson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040212 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance is indeed in German and yet is performed by a 100% Anglophone cast. Irony indeed. Mackerras is the most distinctive contributor to a work whose orchestral passages are among its most interesting. Also worth noting is there is a separate listing in MOoD for the English language versions and the German version. But though the language was German it was the same production as premiered in English in 1967-1968 by O’Hearn and Merrill and concluded with these performances in 2001-2. Hansel returned in a new also English language production by Richard Jones in 2007-2008.”
“MESSA DA REQUIEM : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/28/1964
Cast: Solti; Price, Elias, Bergonzi, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040317 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This broadcast was In Memory of John F. Kennedy
Although the sound is definitely AM (not what one wants for the Manzoni Requiem), this performance documents three of the most notable Verdi singers of the 20th century: Price, Bergonzi, Siepi. Elias is remarkable for her blend with Price (on many commercial recordings as well) and this is Solti’s final Met appearance (his final full Met staged performance is Aida from December 1963 still awaits rebroadcast on Sirius).
The two performances including the day before the broadcast also included Act 3, Scene 1 of Parsifal with Jerome Hines, Jess Thomas, and Marcia Baldwin.
I’m sorry that is not included but grateful that the Verdi is in MOoD.
PARSIFAL: Act III, Scene 1
Parsifal…………….Jess Thomas
Gurnemanz……………Jerome Hines
Kundry………………Marcia Baldwin
Conductor……………Georg Solti
IN MEMORY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY
Verdi: REQUIEM MASS {35}
Soloist……………..Leontyne Price
Soloist……………..Rosalind Elias
Soloist……………..Carlo Bergonzi
Soloist……………..Cesare Siepi
Conductor……………Georg Solti [Last appearance]”
“NORMA : Bellini
Original Air Date: 04/04/1970
Cast: Bonynge; Sutherland, Horne, Bergonzi, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040427 Tags: Archive; 2018
This is Sutherland/Horne’s first of two Met broadcasts of Norma (both in 1970 but different seasons). One will not find stronger support than Bergonzi and Siepi, and the ladies stand up very well to the competition.
This performance is available in MOoD, and if the fall performances
are even half this level we will be very lucky indeed.
6/15/2012 This is the first Sutherland/Horne Norma broadcast, and the only appearances I know for Bergonzi as Pollione. Siepi goes back to Milanov and Callas. This is available also on MOoD (Met Opera on Demand) so you can listen to it anytime you want. The
ladies’ duet singing is remarkable.”
“HÄNSEL UND GRETEL : Humperdinck
Original Air Date: 12/29/2001
Cast: Mackerras; Larmore, Upshaw, Forst, Blythe, Josephson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040529 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance is indeed in German and yet is performed by a 100% Anglophone cast. Irony indeed. Mackerras is the most distinctive contributor to a work whose orchestral passages are among its most interesting. Also worth noting is there is a separate listing in MOoD for the English language versions and the German version. But though the language was German it was the same production as premiered in English in 1967-1968 by O’Hearn and Merrill and concluded with these performances in 2001-2. Hansel returned in a new also English language production by Richard Jones in 2007-2008.”
MESSA DA REQUIEM : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/28/1964
Cast: Solti; Price, Elias, Bergonzi, Siepi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040534 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
This broadcast was In Memory of John F. Kennedy
Although the sound is definitely AM (not what one wants for the Manzoni Requiem), this performance documents three of the most notable Verdi singers of the 20th century: Price, Bergonzi, Siepi. Elias is remarkable for her blend with Price (on many commercial recordings as well) and this is Solti’s final Met appearance (his final full Met staged performance is Aida from December 1963 still awaits rebroadcast on Sirius).
The two performances including the day before the broadcast also included Act 3, Scene 1 of Parsifal with Jerome Hines, Jess Thomas, and Marcia Baldwin.
I’m sorry that is not included but grateful that the Verdi is in MOoD.
PARSIFAL: Act III, Scene 1
Parsifal…………….Jess Thomas
Gurnemanz……………Jerome Hines
Kundry………………Marcia Baldwin
Conductor……………Georg Solti
IN MEMORY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY
Verdi: REQUIEM MASS {35}
Soloist……………..Leontyne Price
Soloist……………..Rosalind Elias
Soloist……………..Carlo Bergonzi
Soloist……………..Cesare Siepi
Conductor……………Georg Solti [Last appearance]”
“HÄNSEL UND GRETEL : Humperdinck
Original Air Date: 12/29/2001
Cast: Mackerras; Larmore, Upshaw, Forst, Blythe, Josephson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18040745 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance is indeed in German and yet is performed by a 100% Anglophone cast. Irony indeed. Mackerras is the most distinctive contributor to a work whose orchestral passages are among its most interesting. Also worth noting is there is a separate listing in MOoD for the English language versions and the German version. But though the language was German it was the same production as premiered in English in 1967-1968 by O’Hearn and Merrill and concluded with these performances in 2001-2. Hansel returned in a new also English language production by Richard Jones in 2007-2008.”
“DON CARLO : Verdi
Original Air Date: 04/04/1959
Cast: Cleva; Gari, Rysanek, Merrill, Thebom, Hines, Uhde
Media: MOD Audio SID.18050103 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This 5 performance revival are the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward. This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.What is most distinctive about this broadcast is Cleva’s conducting. This five performance revival is the only times he took the reins, with the opera much dominated by Stiedry in the 1950s, and Levine from the 1970s forward.
This is Rysanek’s first season in the part at the Met, and Merrill is among the best of Met Rodrigos.
4/2/12 – Rysanek is in better voice here than her Abigaille referred to above. This performance is available on MOoD and marks Cleva’s only run in Don Carlo. The baton is dominated by Stiedry with 26 performances when it opens the Bing regime, and Levine with 60 performances (!!!!!) from 1979 to 2006 (8 broadcasts and 2 telecasts)
Merrill is the only singer of extraordinary interest; his voice was just about perfect for ANY composer in the 50s, and while extremely phonogenic, the sound in the opera house even more impressive. You didn’t always want to watch his acting. His Rigoletto on Sirius this week has been outstanding.”