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Richard Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier" was sung at the Metropolitan Opera House for the first time this season last night with a familiar list of principals. As originally planned, the performance would have introduced a new Marschallin, Erna Schlueter, who had made her American debut as Isolde nine days ago, but she was reportedly indisposed, and Irene Jessner sang the role which she has represented here on many previous occasions. As before, her Marschallin had dignity and expressiveness; her singing in the first act - considerations of time prevented the reviewer from awaiting her re-entry in the third - was generally appealing in tone, although vocal limitations did not always escape notice.

Rise Stevens's Octavian remains one of her most convincing roles from a dramatic point of view, and, despite some rather mannered posing early in the second act, seemed successful in reflecting the personality of the character; her singing was very creditable. Eleanor Steber's Sophie had charm, although the soprano was not in her best voice. Mr. List's Baron Ochs was impersonated along familiar lines; his singing was sometimes more declamatory than musical, but his general characterization gave a sense of savor and dramatic conviction.

Mr. Baum fared well in his first-act solo, and Mr. Lechner's Faninal was commendably presented. Under Mr. Rudolf's direction some of the orchestral music was played with due vitality and color, but other measures were set forth with a mainly routine correctness, and in this regard the performance did not give a full account of the rich resources of this score.

Search by season: 1947-48

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