“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM : Britten
Original Air Date: 12/21/1996
Cast: Atherton; McNair, Kowalski, Rose, Streit, Bunnell, Gilfry, Gustafson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130422 Tags: Archive; 2018
The work was revived under Conlon in 2013 for 3 Sirius streamed live broadcasts, one of which was rebroadcast on Sirius as part of their June Friday night encores, but no national free network. I saw a lovely production at the original Sadler’s Wells Theatre almost 20 years ago under the late Richard Hickox. It’s one of those works I seem to like less as the years go on, but that may be just me.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130425 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130426 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“ARABELLA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/05/1983
Cast: Leinsdorf; Te Kanawa, Weikl, Battle, Rendall, Dunn, Gramm
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130535 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
This new production was the first time in German at the Met. Te Kanawa sings beautifully but for anyone who has heard the prior broadcasts from Steber and Della Casa, it’s just not in the same league. Battle and Weikl are strong vocal support.”
“AIDA : Verdi
Original Air Date: 03/03/1962
Cast: Schick; Tucci, Corelli, Dalis, MacNeil, Tozzi
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130636 Tags: Archive; 2018, Verdi
I much enjoy the energy and passion of all the singers. Tucci is definitely a lyric Aida, but she knows the idiom well and is very solid. George Schick who was a staff conductor at the Met for some years, knows how to keep the forces under control without stifling any of the artists’ expressive impulses. The men definitely ate their Wheaties before the performance. Enjoy.”
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM : Britten
Original Air Date: 12/21/1996
Cast: Atherton; McNair, Kowalski, Rose, Streit, Bunnell, Gilfry, Gustafson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130637 Tags: Archive; 2018
The work was revived under Conlon in 2013 for 3 Sirius streamed live broadcasts, one of which was rebroadcast on Sirius as part of their June Friday night encores, but no national free network. I saw a lovely production at the original Sadler’s Wells Theatre almost 20 years ago under the late Richard Hickox. It’s one of those works I seem to like less as the years go on, but that may be just me.”
“COSÌ FAN TUTTE : Mozart
Original Air Date: 03/31/2018
Cast: Robertson; Majeski, Bliss, Malfi, Plachetka, O’Hara, Maltman
Media: Live Broadcast SID.18130639 Tags: LIVE; 2018, Mozart
“
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130642 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/27/1962
Cast: Leinsdorf; Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Mittelmann, Kuchta, Dalis
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130743 Tags: Archive; 2018, Nilsson, Wagner
This is a magnificent performance with Nilsson and Frick among the best ever in two of the most challenging roles in the repertoire. The rest of the cast are seasoned performers who certainly bring something special. This was possibly the first uncut broadcast Gotterdammerung, though that now seems commonplace.”
“ARABELLA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/05/1983
Cast: Leinsdorf; Te Kanawa, Weikl, Battle, Rendall, Dunn, Gramm
Media: MOD Audio SID.18130745 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
This new production was the first time in German at the Met. Te Kanawa sings beautifully but for anyone who has heard the prior broadcasts from Steber and Della Casa, it’s just not in the same league. Battle and Weikl are strong vocal support.”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/01/1997
Cast: Müller; Swenson, Neill, Hampson, Miles
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140102 Tags: Archive; 2018
The Netrebko video and the Gruberova and Sutherland Elviras are all available in MOoD as well as this one. Swenson has an attractive voice, but I don’t find her especially compelling, and the supporting cast is much better on the other performances. Cavalleria/ Pagliacci from 1988 and Idomeneo from 1991 are added into the schedule beginning Wednesday.”
“EUGENE ONEGIN : Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 02/23/2002
Cast: Jurowski; Hampson, Kringelborn, Giordani, Karnéus, Lloyd
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140105 Tags: Archive; 2018
Jurowski is on especially congenial turf, but my memories of Kringelborn are not quite so positive. Hampson has a commercial Onegin in English with te Kanawa under Mackerras. I love the opera, but my favorite Met archival broadcasts are with Yuri Mazurok –he has two Onegin broadcasts from 1979 (adjacent season).”
“DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
Cast: Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140208 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon.
This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next.
To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met
audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140209 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140210 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“EUGENE ONEGIN : Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 02/23/2002
Cast: Jurowski; Hampson, Kringelborn, Giordani, Karnéus, Lloyd
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140315 Tags: Archive; 2018
Jurowski is on especially congenial turf, but my memories of Kringelborn are not quite so positive. Hampson has a commercial Onegin in English with te Kanawa under Mackerras. I love the opera, but my favorite Met archival broadcasts are with Yuri Mazurok –he has two Onegin broadcasts from 1979 (adjacent season).”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/01/1997
Cast: Müller; Swenson, Neill, Hampson, Miles
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140318 Tags: Archive; 2018
The Netrebko video and the Gruberova and Sutherland Elviras are all available in MOoD as well as this one. Swenson has an attractive voice, but I don’t find her especially compelling, and the supporting cast is much better on the other performances. Cavalleria/ Pagliacci from 1988 and Idomeneo from 1991 are added into the schedule beginning Wednesday.”
“EUGENE ONEGIN : Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 02/23/2002
Cast: Jurowski; Hampson, Kringelborn, Giordani, Karnéus, Lloyd
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140423 Tags: Archive; 2018
Jurowski is on especially congenial turf, but my memories of Kringelborn are not quite so positive. Hampson has a commercial Onegin in English with te Kanawa under Mackerras. I love the opera, but my favorite Met archival broadcasts are with Yuri Mazurok –he has two Onegin broadcasts from 1979 (adjacent season).”
“DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
Cast: Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140424 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon.
This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next.
To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met
audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140425 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140426 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“I PURITANI : Bellini
Original Air Date: 02/01/1997
Cast: Müller; Swenson, Neill, Hampson, Miles
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140534 Tags: Archive; 2018
The Netrebko video and the Gruberova and Sutherland Elviras are all available in MOoD as well as this one. Swenson has an attractive voice, but I don’t find her especially compelling, and the supporting cast is much better on the other performances. Cavalleria/ Pagliacci from 1988 and Idomeneo from 1991 are added into the schedule beginning Wednesday.”
“LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR : Donizetti
Original Air Date: 04/07/2018
Cast: Abbado; Peretyatko-Mariotti, Grigolo, Cavalletti, Kowaljow
Media: Live Broadcast SID.18140640 Tags: LIVE; 2018
The role of the fragile title heroine who teeters between love and madness is shared by sopranos Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti and Pretty Yende, who have each impressed audiences with dazzling bel canto portrayals at the Met. Vittorio Grigolo and Michael Fabiano share the role of her lover in this chilling production by Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman. Roberto Abbado conducts.
Production a gift of The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund
Revival a gift of the Metropolitan Opera Club “
“DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA : Strauss
Original Air Date: 03/31/2007
Cast: Luisi; Voigt, Kerl, Damrau, Grove, Brendel
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140641 Tags: Archive; 2018, Strauss
This is the Met’s only broadcast of the Strauss work and Kerl and Damrau are very impressive. I don’t love the work, but like most Strauss, it has its moments. It’s repeated too often in rotation which in no way approximates its importance in the Strauss canon.
This was the first Met production in more than eight decades. I love the awakening scene, but for me it’s one of the weaker Strauss works. I shouldn’t complain. No Strauss at all this season or next.
To date this is the only Met matinee broadcast of this uncommon Strauss work. The strongest profile is from Damrau who is an excellent Aithra. The opera has some great moments, and was one of Met
audience’s first chances to encounter Luisi, now the Principal Conductor.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140642 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG : Wagner
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
Cast: Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140743 Tags: Archive; 2018, Wagner
This performance is on Sony’s Met historical CD series Lorengar and King, who do not have commercials of their portrayals are fine exponents of their roles, and Kusche is a long respected Beckmesser. Adam split the Sachs with Tozzi, and at this point Adam was probably the better choice.”
“EUGENE ONEGIN : Tchaikovsky
Original Air Date: 02/23/2002
Cast: Jurowski; Hampson, Kringelborn, Giordani, Karnéus, Lloyd
Media: MOD Audio SID.18140749 Tags: Archive; 2018
Jurowski is on especially congenial turf, but my memories of Kringelborn are not quite so positive. Hampson has a commercial Onegin in English with te Kanawa under Mackerras. I love the opera, but my favorite Met archival broadcasts are with Yuri Mazurok –he has two Onegin broadcasts from 1979 (adjacent season).”
“ANDREA CHÉNIER : Giordano
Original Air Date: 12/22/1990
Cast: Rudel; Martinucci, Millo, Milnes, Kesling, Castle, Johnson
Media: MOD Audio SID.18150102 Tags: Archive; 2018
This performance marks the 25th anniversary of Milnes’ Met debut, and he goes on to 1997. Millo and Martinucci are authentic Italianate performances with voices well suited to the roles, This is actually some of the best casting of the last 25 years for this opera.”
“THE FIRST EMPEROR : Dun
Original Air Date: 01/13/2007
Cast: Dun; Domingo, Futral, Groves, Tian, DeYoung
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.18150208 Tags: Archive; 2018, Domingo
This is Domingo’s vehicle and the broadcast and HD performance from its premiere season. Sony issued a commercial DVD. Better to watch than listen to.
***
I enjoyed seeing the production, and while it’s not on my weekly rotation, it held my interest more than Glass’ The Voyage. The simultaneous broadcast/HD moviecast is available on commercial DVD and MOoD (Metropolitan Opera on Demand).”
“THAÏS : Massenet
Original Air Date: 12/20/2008
Cast: López-Cobos; Fleming, Hampson, Schade
Media: Live in HDMOD Video SID.18150210 Tags: Archive; 2018
Although the video has been available almost continuously on MOoD, I find this performance preferable to the Sills Milnes, which was massively overplayed in the first years of Sirius Radio. I rather like Thais as a break from other titles in the repertory.”