2019 Summer HD Festival

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/07/1968
Cleva; Merrill, Moffo, Bergonzi, Michalski, Love
SID.19350106
A bit of a mini-Robert Merrill festival with his Scarpia and Rigoletto in one week. While RM may be a good shot away from the dramatic demands of Scarpia, Rigoletto worked better for him, not least because of the richness of his voice. I remember this performance well, and while neither Bergonzi nor Merrill are perfect, they brought me much pleasure. Moffo is not in especially good voice (Lucia awaits her before the broadcast microphones 8 weeks later).

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/07/1968
Cleva; Merrill, Moffo, Bergonzi, Michalski, Love
SID.19350422
A bit of a mini-Robert Merrill festival with his Scarpia and Rigoletto in one week. While RM may be a good shot away from the dramatic demands of Scarpia, Rigoletto worked better for him, not least because of the richness of his voice. I remember this performance well, and while neither Bergonzi nor Merrill are perfect, they brought me much pleasure. Moffo is not in especially good voice (Lucia awaits her before the broadcast microphones 8 weeks later).

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Original Air Date: 12/07/1968
Cleva; Merrill, Moffo, Bergonzi, Michalski, Love
SID.19350639
A bit of a mini-Robert Merrill festival with his Scarpia and Rigoletto in one week. While RM may be a good shot away from the dramatic demands of Scarpia, Rigoletto worked better for him, not least because of the richness of his voice. I remember this performance well, and while neither Bergonzi nor Merrill are perfect, they brought me much pleasure. Moffo is not in especially good voice (Lucia awaits her before the broadcast microphones 8 weeks later).

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Original Air Date: 05/01/2019
Luisotti; Feola, Zaharia, Hymel, Gagnidze, Ivashchenko
SID.19360535
Verdi’s tragic jester returns in Michael Mayer’s neon-bedecked, Las Vegas–themed production. Baritones Roberto Frontali and George Gagnidze share the title role, and soprano Nadine Sierra reprises her portrayal of Gilda, the role that helped launch her now-blossoming Met career. Tenors Vittorio Grigolo, Francesco Demuro, Matthew Polenzani, and Stephen Costello share the role of the lascivious Duke, and Nicola Luisotti conducts.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Original Air Date: 01/05/1957
Cleva; Merrill, Güden, Peerce, Tozzi, Roggero
SID.19390209
This exact same cast broadcast Rigoletto four years earlier– Bing could be very much a creature of habit. Also the exact same trio of leads as the 1953 performance except Erede was in the pit. This is Merrill probably at his vocal peak (the Rigoletto broadcasts would mostly alternate between Warren (often with Tucker) and Merrill, with Tucker’s brother-in law. Luxury indeed. Let me put in a word here for the 1960 Rigoletto which has MacNeil’s first broadcast jester, Giaiotti as Monterone and Tozzi in the third of his three broadcast Sparafuciles. 1957 like so many years was an extraordinary year for Merrill’s instrument. Take a listen. A note on representation in MOoD for Rigoletto. There is no performance represented there between 1945 and 1973. The 1945 shows Warren at close to his vocal best, but no representation of Tucker’s Duke– four broadcasts from 1951-1972, nor Peerce’s, the 1960 for MacNeil, and no Merrill Rigoletto at all, and the same for Peters’ Gilda. Considering some of the mediocre Rigolettos that ARE included, this is one of the worst gaps in terms of match of Sirius/ MOoD to actual Met performance and broadcast history.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Original Air Date: 01/05/1957
Cleva; Merrill, Güden, Peerce, Tozzi, Roggero
SID.19390532
This exact same cast broadcast Rigoletto four years earlier– Bing could be very much a creature of habit. Also the exact same trio of leads as the 1953 performance except Erede was in the pit. This is Merrill probably at his vocal peak (the Rigoletto broadcasts would mostly alternate between Warren (often with Tucker) and Merrill, with Tucker’s brother-in law. Luxury indeed. Let me put in a word here for the 1960 Rigoletto which has MacNeil’s first broadcast jester, Giaiotti as Monterone and Tozzi in the third of his three broadcast Sparafuciles. 1957 like so many years was an extraordinary year for Merrill’s instrument. Take a listen. A note on representation in MOoD for Rigoletto. There is no performance represented there between 1945 and 1973. The 1945 shows Warren at close to his vocal best, but no representation of Tucker’s Duke– four broadcasts from 1951-1972, nor Peerce’s, the 1960 for MacNeil, and no Merrill Rigoletto at all, and the same for Peters’ Gilda. Considering some of the mediocre Rigolettos that ARE included, this is one of the worst gaps in terms of match of Sirius/ MOoD to actual Met performance and broadcast history.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Cleva; Merrill, Güden, Peerce, Tozzi, Roggero
Original Air Date: 01/05/1957

SID.19390744
This exact same cast broadcast Rigoletto four years earlier– Bing could be very much a creature of habit. Also the exact same trio of leads as the 1953 performance except Erede was in the pit. This is Merrill probably at his vocal peak (the Rigoletto broadcasts would mostly alternate between Warren (often with Tucker) and Merrill, with Tucker’s brother-in law. Luxury indeed. Let me put in a word here for the 1960 Rigoletto which has MacNeil’s first broadcast jester, Giaiotti as Monterone and Tozzi in the third of his three broadcast Sparafuciles. 1957 like so many years was an extraordinary year for Merrill’s instrument. Take a listen. A note on representation in MOoD for Rigoletto. There is no performance represented there between 1945 and 1973. The 1945 shows Warren at close to his vocal best, but no representation of Tucker’s Duke– four broadcasts from 1951-1972, nor Peerce’s, the 1960 for MacNeil, and no Merrill Rigoletto at all, and the same for Peters’ Gilda. Considering some of the mediocre Rigolettos that ARE included, this is one of the worst gaps in terms of match of Sirius/ MOoD to actual Met performance and broadcast history.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Erede; Warren, Güden, Tucker, Pernerstorfer, Madeira
Original Air Date: 12/08/1951

SID.19430208
Though Gueden’s 24 Met Gildas isn’t going to threaten Roberta Peters’ 88 performance record, this was her Met debut a month before this broadcast in a new production designed by Eugene Berman and directed by Herbert Graf (same team as for classic Don Giovanni 6 years later). Warren was the pre-eminent Met Rigoletto during his Met years, and few have sung it so powerfully. Tucker sings the ‘Possente amor’ cabaletta to his ‘Parmi veder’ (only this season if memory serves; the cabaletta does not return until the appearance of Alfredo Kraus 15 years later) None of the 1951 matinee performers are short when it comes to filling out the vocal lines. What is unfortunate is the only broadcast of Warren’s Rigoletto from 1945 to 1959 has not made it to MOoD, and only two of Warren’s SEVEN broadcasts have appeared on Sirius. This 1951 broadcast is very deserving of being promoted to MOoD.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Erede; Warren, Güden, Tucker, Pernerstorfer, Madeira
Original Air Date: 12/08/1951

SID.19430424
Though Gueden’s 24 Met Gildas isn’t going to threaten Roberta Peters’ 88 performance record, this was her Met debut a month before this broadcast in a new production designed by Eugene Berman and directed by Herbert Graf (same team as for classic Don Giovanni 6 years later). Warren was the pre-eminent Met Rigoletto during his Met years, and few have sung it so powerfully. Tucker sings the ‘Possente amor’ cabaletta to his ‘Parmi veder’ (only this season if memory serves; the cabaletta does not return until the appearance of Alfredo Kraus 15 years later) None of the 1951 matinee performers are short when it comes to filling out the vocal lines. What is unfortunate is the only broadcast of Warren’s Rigoletto from 1945 to 1959 has not made it to MOoD, and only two of Warren’s SEVEN broadcasts have appeared on Sirius. This 1951 broadcast is very deserving of being promoted to MOoD.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Erede; Warren, Güden, Tucker, Pernerstorfer, Madeira
Original Air Date: 12/08/1951

SID.19430748
Though Gueden’s 24 Met Gildas isn’t going to threaten Roberta Peters’ 88 performance record, this was her Met debut a month before this broadcast in a new production designed by Eugene Berman and directed by Herbert Graf (same team as for classic Don Giovanni 6 years later). Warren was the pre-eminent Met Rigoletto during his Met years, and few have sung it so powerfully. Tucker sings the Possente amor cabaletta to his Parmi veder (only this season if memory serves; the cabaletta does not return until the appearance of Alfredo Kraus 15 years later) None of the 1951 matinee performers are short when it comes to filling out the vocal lines. What is unfortunate is the only broadcast of Warren’s Rigoletto from 1945 to 1959 has not made it to MOoD, and only two of Warren’s SEVEN broadcasts have appeared on Sirius. This 1951 broadcast is very deserving of being promoted to MOoD.

Verdi
Haider; Alvarez, Siurina, Calleja, Lloyd, Fabiola Herrera
Original Air Date: 12/16/2006

SID.19470103
This is a relatively recent (now ten years already!!) broadcast, and one of Alvarez’ last broadcasts before withdrawing from the vocal scene for some time. Calleja remains an uneven singer, although he certainly has a distinctive voice. There are no Met broadcasts in MOoD for Merrill (Fourth in Met Rigolettos with five broadcasts (my recommendation would be 1968), only one video for MacNeil in 1977, and he has six broadcasts, and his debut broadcast in 1960 is certainly worthy of rebroadcasting and in MOoD (Mac has the house record with 102 Rigolettos) and Warren has only the 1945 in the streaming despite 10 broadcasts (he’s third in overall Rigolettos after MacNeil and De Luca).This is one opera with a major imbalance in terms of Sirius and MoOD performances and three of the greatest Met baritones in its history, and American to boot. This is Alvarez’ last broadcast and except for three non-broadcast Macbeths with Papian, Calleja, and Pape, he is not appeared in the Met in the last five years. He has not appeared widely on other stages in the interim for health reasons.

Verdi
Haider; Alvarez, Siurina, Calleja, Lloyd, Fabiola Herrera
Original Air Date: 12/16/2006

SID.19470321
This is a relatively recent (now ten years already!!) broadcast, and one of Alvarez’ last broadcasts before withdrawing from the vocal scene for some time. Calleja remains an uneven singer, although he certainly has a distinctive voice. There are no Met broadcasts in MOoD for Merrill (Fourth in Met Rigolettos with five broadcasts (my recommendation would be 1968), only one video for MacNeil in 1977, and he has six broadcasts, and his debut broadcast in 1960 is certainly worthy of rebroadcasting and in MOoD (Mac has the house record with 102 Rigolettos) and Warren has only the 1945 in the streaming despite 10 broadcasts (he’s third in overall Rigolettos after MacNeil and De Luca).This is one opera with a major imbalance in terms of Sirius and MoOD performances and three of the greatest Met baritones in its history, and American to boot. This is Alvarez’ last broadcast and except for three non-broadcast Macbeths with Papian, Calleja, and Pape, he is not appeared in the Met in the last five years. He has not appeared widely on other stages in the interim for health reasons.

Verdi
Haider; Alvarez, Siurina, Calleja, Lloyd, Fabiola Herrera
Original Air Date: 12/16/2006

SID.19470640
This is a relatively recent (now ten years already!!) broadcast, and one of Alvarez’ last broadcasts before withdrawing from the vocal scene for some time. Calleja remains an uneven singer, although he certainly has a distinctive voice. There are no Met broadcasts in MOoD for Merrill (Fourth in Met Rigolettos with five broadcasts (my recommendation would be 1968), only one video for MacNeil in 1977, and he has six broadcasts, and his debut broadcast in 1960 is certainly worthy of rebroadcasting and in MOoD (Mac has the house record with 102 Rigolettos) and Warren has only the 1945 in the streaming despite 10 broadcasts (he’s third in overall Rigolettos after MacNeil and De Luca).This is one opera with a major imbalance in terms of Sirius and MoOD performances and three of the greatest Met baritones in its history, and American to boot. This is Alvarez’ last broadcast and except for three non-broadcast Macbeths with Papian, Calleja, and Pape, he is not appeared in the Met in the last five years. He has not appeared widely on other stages in the interim for health reasons.

Verdi
Sodero; Warren, Sayão, Björling, Cordon, Lipton
Original Air Date: 12/29/1945
MOD Audio
SID.19510318
This is the only broadcast Duke from the Met with Bjorling and while relatively early Warren, he is the vocal master of this part. Sound is typical AM 40s, but the voices are well captured. I prefer this Bjorling Warren pairing to the RCA commercial from the mid-50s. Sayao is flattered a bit by the microphones, but there are some other 1940s Met broadcasts that should join this fine go at Rigoletto. For years the Met with great regularity put out Warren, Merrill, and MacNeil in the title role. For Met listeners what’s not to like. Sayao and Bjorling are not exactly lesser grade. Don’t look for a Gossett critical edition, but Verdi is VERY well served. This performance is also on Met Player, as it should be.

Verdi
Sodero; Warren, Sayão, Björling, Cordon, Lipton
Original Air Date: 12/29/1945
MOD Audio
SID.19510534
This is the only broadcast Duke from the Met with Bjorling and while relatively early Warren, he is the vocal master of this part. Sound is typical AM 40s, but the voices are well captured. I prefer this Bjorling Warren pairing to the RCA commercial from the mid-50s. Sayao is flattered a bit by the microphones, but there are some other 1940s Met broadcasts that should join this fine go at Rigoletto. For years the Met with great regularity put out Warren, Merrill, and MacNeil in the title role. For Met listeners what’s not to like. Sayao and Bjorling are not exactly lesser grade. Don’t look for a Gossett critical edition, but Verdi is VERY well served. This performance is also on Met Player, as it should be.

Verdi
Cleva; Warren, Peters, Fernandi, Wilderman, Roggero
Original Air Date: 03/28/1959

SID.20030106
This is the the last of Warren’s 9 Rigoletto broadcasts. His 1945 broadcast with Sayao and Bjorling is on Met Player and while maybe not quite as deep dramatically has all the vocal goods in order. Fernandi is not what one is usually looking for as Duke beyond his native familiarity The performance is most notable for being Warren’s final Rigoletto broadcast. I never saw him live, but always loved his Rigoletto. Only Warren really impressed me.

Verdi
Cleva; Warren, Peters, Fernandi, Wilderman, Roggero
Original Air Date: 03/28/1959

SID.20030318
This is the the last of Warren’s 9 Rigoletto broadcasts. His 1945 broadcast with Sayao and Bjorling is on Met Player and while maybe not quite as deep dramatically has all the vocal goods in order. Fernandi is not what one is usually looking for as Duke beyond his native familiarity The performance is most notable for being Warren’s final Rigoletto broadcast. I never saw him live, but always loved his Rigoletto. Only Warren really impressed me.

Verdi
Cleva; Warren, Peters, Fernandi, Wilderman, Roggero
Original Air Date: 03/28/1959

SID.20030637
This is the the last of Warren’s 9 Rigoletto broadcasts. His 1945 broadcast with Sayao and Bjorling is on Met Player and while maybe not quite as deep dramatically has all the vocal goods in order. Fernandi is not what one is usually looking for as Duke beyond his native familiarity The performance is most notable for being Warren’s final Rigoletto broadcast. I never saw him live, but always loved his Rigoletto. Only Warren really impressed me.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Santi; Nucci, Swenson, Leech, Rootering, White
Original Air Date: 03/07/1992

SID.20070106
I have no specific memory of this performance, but it’s a reasonable time period for these singers who do have voices sufficient for the roles (not always true!!!!) What is not quite so understandable is the number of appearances in MOoD for Nucci compared to Bumbry.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Santi; Nucci, Swenson, Leech, Rootering, White
Original Air Date: 03/07/1992

SID.20070531
I have no specific memory of this performance, but it’s a reasonable time period for these singers who do have voices sufficient for the roles (not always true!!!!) What is not quite so understandable is the number of appearances in MOoD for Nucci compared to Bumbry.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Santi; Swenson, Philley, Uecker, Shaulis, White, Leech, Anthony, Nucci, Croft, Held, Bater, Tian, Rootering 
Original Air Date: 03/07/1992

SID.20070746
This is a reasonable time period for these singers who do have voices sufficient for the roles (not always true!!!!) What is not quite so understandable is the number of appearances in MOoD for Nucci compared to Bumbry.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Stivender; MacNeil, Blegen, Alexander, Hines, Jones
Original Air Date: 03/03/1979

SID.20110106
This is MacNeil’s final Met broadcast of the title role– he has the house record at 102 (5 broadcasts); Sirius should roll out MacNeil’s first Rigoletto broadcast from 1960, when he is really in super-baritone form or even 1964 with Bergonzi’s first Duke broadcast. Blegen is tied for fourth after Peters (88!!!!!! one for every piano key), Pons, and Swenson who are tied for second. Blegen’s earlier broadcast is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and she is one of my favorite Gildas. Alexander is a dependable Duke, but he has some stiff competition . He was a fine musician, marvelous colleague, and sustained among the most-wide ranging Met repertoire (and without need of transpositions). A very favored colleague of Sutherland, Caballe, Sills, and Levine.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Stivender; MacNeil, Blegen, Alexander, Hines, Jones
Original Air Date: 03/03/1979

SID.20110317
This is MacNeil’s final Met broadcast of the title role– he has the house record at 102 (5 broadcasts); Sirius should roll out MacNeil’s first Rigoletto broadcast from 1960, when he is really in super-baritone form or even 1964 with Bergonzi’s first Duke broadcast. Blegen is tied for fourth after Peters (88!!!!!! one for every piano key), Pons, and Swenson who are tied for second. Blegen’s earlier broadcast is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and she is one of my favorite Gildas. Alexander is a dependable Duke, but he has some stiff competition . He was a fine musician, marvelous colleague, and sustained among the most-wide ranging Met repertoire (and without need of transpositions). A very favored colleague of Sutherland, Caballe, Sills, and Levine.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Stivender; MacNeil, Blegen, Alexander, Hines, Jones
Original Air Date: 03/03/1979

SID.20110533
This is MacNeil’s final Met broadcast of the title role– he has the house record at 102 (5 broadcasts); Sirius should roll out MacNeil’s first Rigoletto broadcast from 1960, when he is really in super-baritone form or even 1964 with Bergonzi’s first Duke broadcast. Blegen is tied for fourth after Peters (88!!!!!! one for every piano key), Pons, and Swenson who are tied for second. Blegen’s earlier broadcast is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and she is one of my favorite Gildas. Alexander is a dependable Duke, but he has some stiff competition . He was a fine musician, marvelous colleague, and sustained among the most-wide ranging Met repertoire (and without need of transpositions). A very favored colleague of Sutherland, Caballe, Sills, and Levine.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Stivender; MacNeil, Blegen, Alexander, Hines, Jones
Original Air Date: 03/03/1979

SID.20120101
This is MacNeil’s final Met broadcast of the title role– he has the house record at 102 (5 broadcasts); Sirius should roll out MacNeil’s first Rigoletto broadcast from 1960, when he is really in super-baritone form or even 1964 with Bergonzi’s first Duke broadcast. Blegen is tied for fourth after Peters (88!!!!!! one for every piano key), Pons, and Swenson who are tied for second. Blegen’s earlier broadcast is on Met Opera on Demand (MOoD) and she is one of my favorite Gildas. Alexander is a dependable Duke, but he has some stiff competition . He was a fine musician, marvelous colleague, and sustained among the most-wide ranging Met repertoire (and without need of transpositions). A very favored colleague of Sutherland, Caballe, Sills, and Levine.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Cleva; Merrill, Peters, Tucker, Giaiotti, Dunn
Original Air Date: 02/22/1964
MOD Audio
SID.20150214
Amazingly Merrill (debut 1946) and Tucker (debut 1945) are also around eight years later in 1972 for them sharing their final Rigoletto broadcast. Peters who sang Gilda at the Met as late as 1985 did not broadcast it after 1967. Dunn,Giaiotti, and Macurdy are outstandingly strong support. 1/16/12 – This has recently been released in the Sony Historic Broadcasts. All of the singers are fine, and the technical command of these full voiced singers could teach some more lyric singers the art of bel canto. Giaiotti was a stalwart of the Met bass contingent in the 60s, 70s, 80s. Giaiotti also has one broadcast Monterone which also includes Dunn, and MacNeil in his first Rigoletto broadcast. This has not been on Sirius and I would love to hear it. The performance is also on MetPlayer.

RIGOLETTO:Verdi
Cleva; Merrill, Peters, Tucker, Giaiotti, Dunn
Original Air Date: 02/22/1964
MOD Audio
SID.20150533
Amazingly Merrill (debut 1946) and Tucker (debut 1945) are also around eight years later in 1972 for them sharing their final Rigoletto broadcast. Peters who sang Gilda at the Met as late as 1985 did not broadcast it after 1967. Dunn,Giaiotti, and Macurdy are outstandingly strong support. 1/16/12 – This has recently been released in the Sony Historic Broadcasts. All of the singers are fine, and the technical command of these full voiced singers could teach some more lyric singers the art of bel canto. Giaiotti was a stalwart of the Met bass contingent in the 60s, 70s, 80s. Giaiotti also has one broadcast Monterone which also includes Dunn, and MacNeil in his first Rigoletto broadcast. This has not been on Sirius and I would love to hear it. The performance is also on MetPlayer.