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Tristan und Isolde
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, February 14, 1925 Matinee
Tristan und Isolde (165)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
- Tristan
- Curt Taucher
- Isolde
- Nanny Lars?n-Todsen
- Kurwenal
- Friedrich Schorr
- Brang?ne
- Karin Branzell
- King Marke
- Michael Bohnen
- Melot
- Arnold Gabor
- Sailor's Voice
- Angelo Bad?
- Shepherd
- George Meader
- Steersman
- Louis D'Angelo
- Conductor
- Artur Bodanzky
Review 1:
Review of W. J. Henderson in the Sun
The performance of "Tristan and Isolde" of Saturday afternoon did much toward sweeping the Wagnerian department of the Metropolitan Opera House back into the atmosphere of the eighties. The younger generation of operagoers knew not Mme. Katherine Klafsky or her name would now be coupled with that of Mme. Nanny Larsen-Todsen, who was the Isolde. Mme. Klafsky radiated quantities of superheated temperament and sang Wagner's music with immensity of voice and physical vigor. Her Isolde was tumultuous, irresistible, and unmusical. It was the antipodes of the Isoldes of Mme. Rosa Sucher and Mme. Ternina. Mme. Lehmann, who trumpeted the role in clarion tones and wore a regal majesty, was the one mighty Isolde of those times.
Mme. Larsen-Todsen cannot be unmusical since she shows a sense of melodic line and an appreciation of phrase. But on Saturday she was said to be still suffering from a cold and this may have accounted for some of the stridency of her singing and the unsteadiness of her tone. But her Isolde was conceived in the heroic mold and had theatrical force and authority.
This kind of impersonation however is likely to restore life to the dead theory that operas can be given without good singing. In spite Lehmann and Fischer, this theory prevailed here up to the time when the De Reszkes, Nordica and their associate proved that the tragic Wagner dramas could be beautifully sung and that they were all the greater whim so presented.
Mr. Taucher was again the Tristan Saturday afternoon and showed some improvement in the lyric passages. Mme. Branzell's Brangaene was excellent. The Kurvenal of that accomplished artist Friedrich Schorr was vocally and dramatically admirable. Mr. Bohnen's King Mark was one of the best impersonations he has given here. It was emotional, direct in method and vocally well colored. Mr. Bodanzky conducted and spared no pains to make the performance tempestuous in passion.
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