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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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Various:Various
Various Artists
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19500534
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19500636
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Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19500745
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19500746
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19510101
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19510102
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE:Wagner
Leindsorf; Thomas, Nilsson, Dalis, Tozzi, Doole
Original Air Date: 12/18/1971
MOD Audio
SID.19510103
This performance is not often rebroadcast, and is as distinctive for Leinsdorf’s sleek conducting as for Nilsson’s continued mastery of Isolde. I find Jess Thomas less ingratiating than most, but this is one of his better performances.
Various:Various
Various Artists
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19510104
UN BALLO IN MASCHERA:Verdi
Panizza; Björling, Milanov, Sved, Andreva, Castagna
Original Air Date: 12/14/1940
SID.19510105
Neither Milanov nor Bjorling recorded these roles complete, let alone together (Bjorling scheduled for two–Toscanini and Solti). Panizza, Milanov, and Bjorling all outstanding. It was widely available in various private pressings. This is still 1940s sound and this week is only the second appearance on Sirius. My guess is that this will appear in the MOoD offerings shortly [ well we’re two years later it still is not in MOoD], as almost all the big box reissues on CD make their way into MOoD.
ELEKTRA:Strauss
Levine; Schnaut, Voigt, Schwarz, Pape, Jerusalem
Original Air Date: 12/21/2002
SID.19510106
The same 3 ladies also have a 1999 broadcast with Levine which is regularly alternated on Sirius. For my taste, this is far too much Schnaut. Schwarz whom I remember fondly for her work on the Chereau Ring at Bayreuth (an outstanding Fricka) makes her last Met appearance with this broadcast, but though gone 12 years, the database does not yet mark it as a final Met appearance [still true in 2015]. I prefer Varnay, Borkh, and Nilsson. Eva Marton did not do her Elektra at the Met, a great loss, and Gwyneth Jones did not broadcast any of her 4 Met Elektras– one of her best roles. Marton does have a fantastic Chrysothemis with Mastilovic under Leinsdorf which has been on Sirius and well worth a listen.
TANNHÄUSER:Wagner
Levine; McCracken, Kubiak, Bumbry, Weikl, Macurdy
Original Air Date: 01/21/1978
SID.19510107
This is McCracken’s only broadcast outing as Tannhauser, and he is really very fine. Weikl and Bumbry are tops in these roles and Kubiak is a very decent Elisabeth. Levine is at his very best. What is inexplicable to me is why this performance has not made its way to MOoD. McCracken has 597 Met appearances, more than 300 of them after his return as Otello in March 1963. Bumbry, to my mind is the most important American mezzo of the 20th century. Venus was a breakthrough role for her in 1960 at the Bayreuth Festival. This is her only broadcast from the Met of Venus. This performance does great honor to all of the cast and I am grateful that it has been regularly on Sirius, but the better sound afforded in MOoD would definitely benefit Tannhauser.
ESCLARMONDE:Massenet
Bonynge; Sutherland, Aragall, Tourangeau, Grant
Original Air Date: 12/11/1976
MOD Audio
SID.19510208
This is the Met’s only broadcast of Esclarmonde, and the performance in addition to the predictable glitter from Sutherland, captures Aragall in one of his best performances. For many, his material was the best of absolute best, and the new generation of tenors in the 1970s, but it never quite all came together. Here is the exception. Enjoy.
Puccini
Rudel; Mitchell, Mauro, Schexnayder, Tajo
Original Air Date: 01/31/1987
SID.19510209
Mitchell is quite a good Manon, and Mauro is acceptable. I’ve heard this performance several times on Sirius, and it is a decent repertory performance. 10/17/11-Manon Lescaut is at the top of my Puccini list, and it is nice to hear Mitchell’s lush voice in the music, while still showing off attractive high notes. Mauro is less to my taste, but this performance is not overly rotated. I’ll catch again during the week.
DER ROSENKAVALIER:Strauss
Kout; Mentzer, Studer, Halfvarson, Norberg-Schulz, Opie
Original Air Date: 01/29/2000
MOD Audio
SID.19510210
This is Cheryl Studer’s penultimate Met performance in her 39 performance Met career. The Met has cast Rosenkavalier more strongly, but Studer still has major Strauss credentials.
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TBA
Original Air Date: 01/01/9999
SID.19510211
DON PASQUALE:Donizetti
Papi; Baccaloni, Sayão, Martini, Valentino
Original Air Date: 12/21/1940
MOD Audio
SID.19510212
This is one of the older Met broadcasts to appear in the Sirius rebroadcast series. It’s also one of the best, with Baccaloni and Sayao in very top form. This is also available in MOoD. Sayao and Baccaloni have a lot of charm in our only broadcast from the 40s this week This is also on Met Player, and it’s good to hear why Baccaloni and Sayao were so beloved. What personality even in 1940 AM sound.