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Tristan und Isolde
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, January 6, 1949
Tristan und Isolde (333)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
- Tristan
- Max Lorenz
- Isolde
- Helen Traubel
- Kurwenal
- Herbert Janssen
- Brang?ne
- Blanche Thebom
- King Marke
- Dezs? Ernster
- Melot
- Emery Darcy
- Sailor's Voice
- John Garris
- Shepherd
- Leslie Chabay
- Steersman
- Philip Kinsman
- Conductor
- Fritz Busch
Review 1:
Review of Quaintance Eaton in Musical America
Max Lorenz appeared as Tristan for the first time this season in the third hearing of Wagner's opera. As in last year's performances, the tenor displayed his accomplished schooling in the tradition of the part, and he sang even better, in some instances, than previously. Though his voice has little velvet remaining, and though he resorted to occasional shouting and even sobbing, he invested the second act love duet with enough tone and with considerable expressiveness; and he rose to communicative heights in several passages in the third act. His death scene was nobly and simply done, even if his appearance was not conducive to illusion. This fault was partly due to the absence of the beard which lent impressiveness to his Tristan last year.
The remainder of the cast was as before. Helen Traubel was in superb voice, and sang flawlessly in the first two acts. Her Liebestod had less impact than seemed desirable; indeed, she gave the impression of having cooled off during the long wait.
Dezso Ernster made Marke's monologue a truly musical experience as well as an absorbing piece of drama. Blanche Thebom and Herbert Janssen contributed their familiar portraits of Brangane and Kurvenal. Emery Darcy, Leslie Chabay and Philip Kinsman completed the cast. Fritz Busch conducted with authority and, especially in the second act. with real emotional fire.
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