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The third performance of the season of Wagner's "Meistersinger" at the Metropolitan Opera House last night brought with it the first appearance here of Kurt Baum in the role of Walther von Stolzing. The otherwise familiar cast included Eleanor Steber, as Eva; Kerstin Thorborg, as Magdalene; Herbert Janssen, as Hans Sachs; Gerhard Pechner, as Beckmesser; Emanuel List, as Pogner; John Garris, as David; Mack Harrell, as Kothner; and Messrs Bowe, Manning, Oliviero, Laufk?tter, Hawkins, Alvary, D'Angelo and Gurney as Mastersingers. George Szell conducted.

Mr. Baum's delineation of the role of Walther was in many ways commendable. His warm, dark-textured voice is an admirable medium for the delivery of the music and his singing, especially in the first two acts, was often tonally persuasive and expressive, aside from some constriction in the upper tones. Unfortunately, the tightness of production increased in the third act, accompanied by some faulty intonation. Mr. Baum is a personable Walther and it is to be hoped that he will learn to project his voice with greater freedom.

Search by season: 1944-45

Search by title: Die Meistersinger von N?rnberg,

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