Guide
Key Word Search
Multi-Field Search
Browse
Met Opera on Demand
Sirius and XM
Repertory Report
Performers Report
Contacts
Met Opera Website
Tannh?user
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, December 14, 1945
Debut : Stephen Billings
Tannh?user (345)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
- Tannh?user
- Lauritz Melchior
- Elisabeth
- Helen Traubel
- Wolfram
- Martial Singher
- Venus
- Blanche Thebom
- Hermann
- Norman Cordon
- Walther
- John Garris
- Heinrich
- Karl Laufk?tter
- Biterolf
- Osie Hawkins
- Reinmar
- Wellington Ezekiel
- Shepherd
- Maxine Stellman
- Dance
- Marina Svetlova
- Dance
- Peggy Smithers
- Dance
- Elissa Minet
- Dance
- Ilona Murai
- Dance
- Natasha Tzvetcova
- Dance
- Stephen Billings [Debut]
- Dance
- Josef Carmassi
- Conductor
- Fritz Busch
- Director
- Lothar Wallerstein
- Set Designer
- Hans Kautsky
- Costume Designer
- Mathilde Castel-Bert
- Choreographer
- Boris Romanoff
Tannh?user received thirteen performances this season.
Traubel's costumes were designed by Adrian.
Review 1:
Review of Irving Kolodin in the Sun
FIRST "TANNH?USER"
Most of the impressive elements in last night's "Tannh?user" at the Metropolitan (the first time since the season before last) derived from the poise, breadth and authority of the conducting by Fritz Busch, the singing of the chorus, and the playing of the orchestra. All of these showed the benefit of fresh preparation by Busch, with some notably excellent results in the ensembles of the second act. It was a new and welcome experience to observe the guests in the Hall of Song march in proudly (together, too) and sing as if they had a reason for being there.
However, Busch had another ill-balanced cast to contend with, and the heights to which he could raise them were distinctly variable. Helen Traubel did some beautiful singing as Elisabeth, difficult as it is for her to present an illusion in this role. Blanche Thebom, undertaking her first Venus, vocalized much of it with good resonant tone, but it will take many a repetition before she can find ease and security in this deceptively and complex part. She has made a promising start, but one imagines she will get along with it better if she dispenses with at least half of the stylized gestures she utilized.
Another new impersonation was the Wolfram of Martial Singher. An intelligent and conscientious effort, it remained a whole flight of steps down from the kind of lyric baritone virtuosity required to match the opportunities Wagner offered. Lauritz Melchior's Tannh?user has never ranked among his best accomplishments, and the constant stress on power cannot make good the diminishing sheen of the voice. Norman Cordon was an able Hermann and the associated singers included John Garris, Wellington Ezekiel, Osie Hawkins and Karl Laufk?tter.
Search by season: 1945-46
Search by title: Tannh?user,
Met careers
- Fritz Busch [Conductor]
- Lauritz Melchior [Tannh?user]
- Helen Traubel [Elisabeth]
- Martial Singher [Wolfram]
- Blanche Thebom [Venus]
- Norman Cordon [Hermann]
- John Garris [Walther]
- Karl Laufk?tter [Heinrich]
- Osie Hawkins [Biterolf]
- Wellington Ezekiel [Reinmar]
- Maxine Stellman [Shepherd]
- Marina Svetlova [Dance]
- Peggy Smithers [Dance]
- Elissa Minet [Dance]
- Ilona Murai [Dance]
- Natasha Tzvetcova [Dance]
- Stephen Billings [Dance]
- Josef Carmassi [Dance]
- Lothar Wallerstein [Director]
- Boris Romanoff [Choreographer]
- Hans Kautsky [Set Designer]
- Mathilde Castel-Bert [Costume Designer]