In this 11th year, over ten nights performances from the Met’s Live in HD series will be shown starting with a screening of FUNNY FACE in a special co-presentation with Film at Lincoln Center. Screenings run from August 23 through September 2. There will be 3000 seats in the Plaza in front of the Opera House with an additional standing room area. Cancellations due to thunder/lighting or high wind will not be rescheduled.
DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG:Wagner
Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
MOD Audio
SID.19400105
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
Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
MOD Audio
SID.19400316
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
Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
MOD Audio
SID.SID.19400747
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
Schippers; Adam, Lorengar, King, Kusche, Flagello, Driscoll
Original Air Date: 01/15/1972
MOD Audio
SID.19410101
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.
L’ASSEDIO DI CORINTO:Rossini
Schippers; Sills, Verrett, Theyard, Díaz
Original Air Date: 04/19/1975
MOD Audio
SID.19410106
The following season also with Sills and Verrett under Woitach) are the Met broadcast history of this problematic Rossini work, and both are on MOoD. Verrett is in top form, but I find Sills too late for these assumptions. I find the work as edited for these performances a jumble and they don’t make this reluctant Rossinian any less so. Barbiere remains a miracle and though done to death, still sparkles.
L’ASSEDIO DI CORINTO:Rossini
Schippers; Sills, Verrett, Theyard, Díaz
Original Air Date: 04/19/1975
MOD Audio
SID.19410316
The following season also with Sills and Verrett under Woitach) are the Met broadcast history of this problematic Rossini work, and both are on MOoD. Verrett is in top form, but I find Sills too late for these assumptions. I find the work as edited for these performances a jumble and they don’t make this reluctant Rossinian any less so. Barbiere remains a miracle and though done to death, still sparkles.
L’ASSEDIO DI CORINTO:Rossini
Schippers; Sills, Verrett, Theyard, Díaz
Original Air Date: 04/19/1975
MOD Audio
SID.19410532
The following season also with Sills and Verrett under Woitach) are the Met broadcast history of this problematic Rossini work, and both are on MOoD. Verrett is in top form, but I find Sills too late for these assumptions. I find the work as edited for these performances a jumble and they don’t make this reluctant Rossinian any less so. Barbiere remains a miracle and though done to death, still sparkles.
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.
ERNANI:Verdi
Schippers; Corelli, Price, Sereni, Siepi
Original Air Date: 04/10/1965
MOD Audio
SID.20080212
The Met has two outstanding Ernani broadcasts from the mid 1960s, both with Schippers and Leontyne Price. The first is with Bergonzi and MacNeil, and the second features the special contributions of Corelli and Siepi. Luckily both are on MOoD, with the first also issued on Sony Historical CD. Both these performances belong in every Verdi lover’s playlist. Ernani was back later with Domingo in the baritone role; his only Met appearance in the title role was in 1971 (not broadcast).
ERNANI:Verdi
Schippers; Corelli, Price, Sereni, Siepi
Original Air Date: 04/10/1965
MOD Audio
SID.20080428
The Met has two outstanding Ernani broadcasts from the mid 1960s, both with Schippers and Leontyne Price. The first is with Bergonzi and MacNeil, and the second features the special contributions of Corelli and Siepi. Luckily both are on MOoD, with the first also issued on Sony Historical CD. Both these performances belong in every Verdi lover’s playlist. Ernani was back later with Domingo in the baritone role; his only Met appearance in the title role was in 1971 (not broadcast).
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA:Barber
Schippers; Díaz, Price, Thomas, Flagello, Elias
Original Air Date: 09/16/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20080531
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.
ERNANI:Verdi
Schippers; Corelli, Price, Sereni, Siepi
Original Air Date: 04/10/1965
MOD Audio
SID.20080532
The Met has two outstanding Ernani broadcasts from the mid 1960s, both with Schippers and Leontyne Price. The first is with Bergonzi and MacNeil, and the second features the special contributions of Corelli and Siepi. Luckily both are on MOoD, with the first also issued on Sony Historical CD. Both these performances belong in every Verdi lover’s playlist. Ernani was back later with Domingo in the baritone role; his only Met appearance in the title role was in 1971 (not broadcast).
ERNANI:Verdi
Schippers; Corelli, Price, Sereni, Siepi
Original Air Date: 04/10/1965
MOD Audio
SID.20080744
The Met has two outstanding Ernani broadcasts from the mid 1960s, both with Schippers and Leontyne Price. The first is with Bergonzi and MacNeil, and the second features the special contributions of Corelli and Siepi. Luckily both are on MOoD, with the first also issued on Sony Historical CD. Both these performances belong in every Verdi lover’s playlist. Ernani was back later with Domingo in the baritone role; his only Met appearance in the title role was in 1971 (not broadcast).
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA:Barber
Schippers; Díaz, Price, Thomas, Flagello, Elias
Original Air Date: 09/16/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20080746
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.
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO:Verdi
Schippers; Tebaldi, Tucker, Sereni, Hines, Dunn, Baccaloni
Original Air Date: 03/12/1960
MOD Audio
SID.20090105
Tebaldi and Tucker are famous for their roles in FORZA, but except for two performances in 1956, and the FORZA preceding this broadcast which was halted because of the onstage death of Leonard Warren, these are their only appearances together in it. Tebaldi is not at the vocal peak of her 1958 Naples video (with Corelli and Bastianini) or her Florence performances with Mitropoulos and Del Monaco, but there is still much to enjoy. Leonora is one of Verdi’s greatest challenges, and most performers just don’t have the stuff.
LA BOHÈME:Puccini
Schippers; Albanese, Hurley, Bergonzi, Sereni, Scott
Original Air Date: 02/15/1958
MOD Audio
SID.20090106
This classic performance has been issued on Sony Classical Historical Met CD series as well as MOoD. Albanese goes back more than two decades for her recorded Mimi with Gigli, the classic Toscanini set with Peerce, and this solid performance from Bergonzi. Sereni was the first choice Marcello most evenings, though there are a few appearances by Bastianini and Merrill, but after Scotti’s 146 Marcellos, Sereni is next with 76 and Frank Guarrera third at 71. MacNeil had four park concert Marcellos with the Met, but never in the house onstage. The August 2014 rebroadcast was part of the extensive memorial the Met and Sirius broadcast that week on the occasion of Bergonzi’s passing. A Met singer most beloved. Worth tracking down that 2014 citation for the whole week as many of his broadcasts are on MOoD.
L’ASSEDIO DI CORINTO:Rossini
Schippers; Sills, Verrett, Di Giuseppe, Díaz
Original Air Date: 01/17/1976
SID.20090212
The following season also with Sills and Verrett under Woitach) are the Met broadcast history of this problematic Rossini work, and both are on MOoD. Verrett is in top form, but I find Sills too late for these assumptions. The work seems to be edited for these performances and is a jumble. Barbiere remains a miracle and though done to death, still sparkles.
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO:Verdi
Schippers; Tebaldi, Tucker, Sereni, Hines, Dunn, Baccaloni
Original Air Date: 03/12/1960
MOD Audio
SID.20090315
Tebaldi and Tucker are famous for their roles in FORZA, but except for two performances in 1956, and the FORZA preceding this broadcast which was halted because of the onstage death of Leonard Warren, these are their only appearances together in it. Tebaldi is not at the vocal peak of her 1958 Naples video (with Corelli and Bastianini) or her Florence performances with Mitropoulos and Del Monaco, but there is still much to enjoy. Leonora is one of Verdi’s greatest challenges, and most performers just don’t have the stuff.
LA BOHÈME:Puccini
Schippers; Albanese, Hurley, Bergonzi, Sereni, Scott
Original Air Date: 02/15/1958
MOD Audio
SID.20090317
This classic performance has been issued on Sony Classical Historical Met CD series as well as MOoD. Albanese goes back more than two decades for her recorded Mimi with Gigli, the classic Toscanini set with Peerce, and this solid performance from Bergonzi. Sereni was the first choice Marcello most evenings, though there are a few appearances by Bastianini and Merrill, but after Scotti’s 146 Marcellos, Sereni is next with 76 and Frank Guarrera third at 71. MacNeil had four park concert Marcellos with the Met, but never in the house onstage. The August 2014 rebroadcast was part of the extensive memorial the Met and Sirius broadcast that week on the occasion of Bergonzi’s passing. A Met singer most beloved. Worth tracking down that 2014 citation for the whole week as many of his broadcasts are on MOoD.
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO:Verdi
Schippers; Tebaldi, Tucker, Sereni, Hines, Dunn, Baccaloni
Original Air Date: 03/12/1960
MOD Audio
SID.20090423
Tebaldi and Tucker are famous for their roles in FORZA, but except for two performances in 1956, and the FORZA preceding this broadcast which was halted because of the onstage death of Leonard Warren, these are their only appearances together in it. Tebaldi is not at the vocal peak of her 1958 Naples video (with Corelli and Bastianini) or her Florence performances with Mitropoulos and Del Monaco, but there is still much to enjoy. Leonora is one of Verdi’s greatest challenges, and most performers just don’t have the stuff.
L’ASSEDIO DI CORINTO:Rossini
Schippers; Sills, Verrett, Di Giuseppe, Díaz
Original Air Date: 01/17/1976
SID.20090529
The following season also with Sills and Verrett under Woitach) are the Met broadcast history of this problematic Rossini work, and both are on MOoD. Verrett is in top form, but I find Sills too late for these assumptions. The work seems to be edited for these performances and is a jumble. Barbiere remains a miracle and though done to death, still sparkles.
LA BOHÈME:Puccini
Schippers; Albanese, Hurley, Bergonzi, Sereni, Scott
Original Air Date: 02/15/1958
MOD Audio
SID.20090533
This classic performance has been issued on Sony Classical Historical Met CD series as well as MOoD. Albanese goes back more than two decades for her recorded Mimi with Gigli, the classic Toscanini set with Peerce, and this solid performance from Bergonzi. Sereni was the first choice Marcello most evenings, though there are a few appearances by Bastianini and Merrill, but after Scotti’s 146 Marcellos, Sereni is next with 76 and Frank Guarrera third at 71. MacNeil had four park concert Marcellos with the Met, but never in the house onstage. The August 2014 rebroadcast was part of the extensive memorial the Met and Sirius broadcast that week on the occasion of Bergonzi’s passing. A Met singer most beloved. Worth tracking down that 2014 citation for the whole week as many of his broadcasts are on MOoD.
L’ASSEDIO DI CORINTO:Rossini
Schippers; Sills, Verrett, Di Giuseppe, Díaz
Original Air Date: 01/17/1976
SID.20090638
The following season also with Sills and Verrett under Woitach) are the Met broadcast history of this problematic Rossini work, and both are on MOoD. Verrett is in top form, but I find Sills too late for these assumptions. The work seems to be edited for these performances and is a jumble. Barbiere remains a miracle and though done to death, still sparkles.
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO:Verdi
Schippers; Tebaldi, Tucker, Sereni, Hines, Dunn, Baccaloni
Original Air Date: 03/12/1960
MOD Audio
SID.20090749
Tebaldi and Tucker are famous for their roles in FORZA, but except for two performances in 1956, and the FORZA preceding this broadcast which was halted because of the onstage death of Leonard Warren, these are their only appearances together in it. Tebaldi is not at the vocal peak of her 1958 Naples video (with Corelli and Bastianini) or her Florence performances with Mitropoulos and Del Monaco, but there is still much to enjoy. Leonora is one of Verdi’s greatest challenges, and most performers just don’t have the stuff.
AIDA:Verdi
Schippers; Price, Bergonzi, Bumbry, Merrill, Hines
Original Air Date: 02/25/1967
MOD Audio
SID.20120103
On paper this performance looks like the dream cast. It is not. Price who sang possibly her very best performance ever in the opening night Antony and Cleopatra six months earlier, sings much too much on “principal” with a particularly vulgar opening of Ritorna vincitor. What is most sad is that her first two Aida broadcasts, the first with Gorr, Bergonzi, Sereni, Siepi, and Macurdy under Solti from 1963, the second from 1965 with Dalis, Tucker, Merrill, Ghiuselev, Michalski under Mehta have not been on Sirius. The first I remember vividly , and has been on private European pressings; it is one of the very best Met Aidas. Bergonzi is substantially stronger in 1963; The 1965 performance simply has Mehta as a better Aida conductor than Schippers. Richard Tucker, whose career is not overlooked by the Sirius folk, has not managed to have his Radames on Sirius despite having broadcast the role with Nilsson, Price, and Arroyo. Bumbry is here in the first of her 3 broadcast Amnerises, and she is better with Arroyo which has been on Sirius. Merrill is in remarkable voice 21 years after his debut (a few too many woofs, but still the most mellifluous Amonasro ever (though plenty of testosterone if not real anger). So here are 4 relatively recent Aidas (post 1960) which somehow can’t get to the airwaves. This 1967 is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and also appears in the 2013 Verdi at the Met bicentennial box, but it still does not rank as one of Price’s best efforts, or one of the best modern Met Aidas. Available in MOoD. This is also in the new Verdi box , but the missing AIda should be the 1963 with Solti conducting Price, Gorr, Bergonzi, Siepi, Macurdy. Bergonzi cracks in the Celeste AIda and neither Price nor Bumbry are at their best.
AIDA:Verdi
Schippers; Price, Bergonzi, Bumbry, Merrill, Hines
Original Air Date: 02/25/1967
MOD Audio
SID.20120319
On paper this performance looks like the dream cast. It is not. Price who sang possibly her very best performance ever in the opening night Antony and Cleopatra six months earlier, sings much too much on “principal” with a particularly vulgar opening of Ritorna vincitor. What is most sad is that her first two Aida broadcasts, the first with Gorr, Bergonzi, Sereni, Siepi, and Macurdy under Solti from 1963, the second from 1965 with Dalis, Tucker, Merrill, Ghiuselev, Michalski under Mehta have not been on Sirius. The first I remember vividly , and has been on private European pressings; it is one of the very best Met Aidas. Bergonzi is substantially stronger in 1963; The 1965 performance simply has Mehta as a better Aida conductor than Schippers. Richard Tucker, whose career is not overlooked by the Sirius folk, has not managed to have his Radames on Sirius despite having broadcast the role with Nilsson, Price, and Arroyo. Bumbry is here in the first of her 3 broadcast Amnerises, and she is better with Arroyo which has been on Sirius. Merrill is in remarkable voice 21 years after his debut (a few too many woofs, but still the most mellifluous Amonasro ever (though plenty of testosterone if not real anger). So here are 4 relatively recent Aidas (post 1960) which somehow can’t get to the airwaves. This 1967 is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and also appears in the 2013 Verdi at the Met bicentennial box, but it still does not rank as one of Price’s best efforts, or one of the best modern Met Aidas. Available in MOoD. This is also in the new Verdi box , but the missing AIda should be the 1963 with Solti conducting Price, Gorr, Bergonzi, Siepi, Macurdy. Bergonzi cracks in the Celeste AIda and neither Price nor Bumbry are at their best.
AIDA:Verdi
Schippers; Price, Bergonzi, Bumbry, Merrill, Hines
Original Air Date: 02/25/1967
MOD Audio
SID.20120534
On paper this performance looks like the dream cast. It is not. Price who sang possibly her very best performance ever in the opening night Antony and Cleopatra six months earlier, sings much too much on “principal” with a particularly vulgar opening of Ritorna vincitor. What is most sad is that her first two Aida broadcasts, the first with Gorr, Bergonzi, Sereni, Siepi, and Macurdy under Solti from 1963, the second from 1965 with Dalis, Tucker, Merrill, Ghiuselev, Michalski under Mehta have not been on Sirius. The first I remember vividly , and has been on private European pressings; it is one of the very best Met Aidas. Bergonzi is substantially stronger in 1963; The 1965 performance simply has Mehta as a better Aida conductor than Schippers. Richard Tucker, whose career is not overlooked by the Sirius folk, has not managed to have his Radames on Sirius despite having broadcast the role with Nilsson, Price, and Arroyo. Bumbry is here in the first of her 3 broadcast Amnerises, and she is better with Arroyo which has been on Sirius. Merrill is in remarkable voice 21 years after his debut (a few too many woofs, but still the most mellifluous Amonasro ever (though plenty of testosterone if not real anger). So here are 4 relatively recent Aidas (post 1960) which somehow can’t get to the airwaves. This 1967 is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and also appears in the 2013 Verdi at the Met bicentennial box, but it still does not rank as one of Price’s best efforts, or one of the best modern Met Aidas. Available in MOoD. This is also in the new Verdi box , but the missing AIda should be the 1963 with Solti conducting Price, Gorr, Bergonzi, Siepi, Macurdy. Bergonzi cracks in the Celeste AIda and neither Price nor Bumbry are at their best.
AIDA:Verdi
Schippers; Price, Bergonzi, Bumbry, Merrill, Hines
Original Air Date: 02/25/1967
MOD Audio
SID.20120743
On paper this performance looks like the dream cast. It is not. Price who sang possibly her very best performance ever in the opening night Antony and Cleopatra six months earlier, sings much too much on “principal” with a particularly vulgar opening of Ritorna vincitor. What is most sad is that her first two Aida broadcasts, the first with Gorr, Bergonzi, Sereni, Siepi, and Macurdy under Solti from 1963, the second from 1965 with Dalis, Tucker, Merrill, Ghiuselev, Michalski under Mehta have not been on Sirius. The first I remember vividly , and has been on private European pressings; it is one of the very best Met Aidas. Bergonzi is substantially stronger in 1963; The 1965 performance simply has Mehta as a better Aida conductor than Schippers. Richard Tucker, whose career is not overlooked by the Sirius folk, has not managed to have his Radames on Sirius despite having broadcast the role with Nilsson, Price, and Arroyo. Bumbry is here in the first of her 3 broadcast Amnerises, and she is better with Arroyo which has been on Sirius. Merrill is in remarkable voice 21 years after his debut (a few too many woofs, but still the most mellifluous Amonasro ever (though plenty of testosterone if not real anger). So here are 4 relatively recent Aidas (post 1960) which somehow can’t get to the airwaves. This 1967 is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and also appears in the 2013 Verdi at the Met bicentennial box, but it still does not rank as one of Price’s best efforts, or one of the best modern Met Aidas. Available in MOoD. This is also in the new Verdi box , but the missing AIda should be the 1963 with Solti conducting Price, Gorr, Bergonzi, Siepi, Macurdy. Bergonzi cracks in the Celeste AIda and neither Price nor Bumbry are at their best.
L’ELISIR D’AMORE:Donizetti
Schippers; Bergonzi, Peters, Corena, Guarrera
Original Air Date: 03/05/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20140212
This performance has been issued in Sony’s Historic Met CD series. Also on MOoD is Bergonzi and Corena partnered by Scotto and Sereni who I think are better matches in this opera.One cannot lose with Bergonzi and Corena.
L’ELISIR D’AMORE:Donizetti
Schippers; Bergonzi, Peters, Corena, Guarrera
Original Air Date: 03/05/1966
MOD Audio
SID.20140431
This performance has been issued in Sony’s Historic Met CD series. Also on MOoD is Bergonzi and Corena partnered by Scotto and Sereni who I think are better matches in this opera.One cannot lose with Bergonzi and Corena.