[Met Performance] CID:167810



Tannh?user
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, January 29, 1955 Matinee Broadcast





Tannh?user (376)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Tannh?user
Ramon Vinay

Elisabeth
Astrid Varnay

Wolfram
George London

Venus
Blanche Thebom

Hermann
Jerome Hines

Walther
Giulio Gari

Heinrich
Paul Franke

Biterolf
Clifford Harvuot

Reinmar
Norman Scott

Shepherd
Heidi Krall


Conductor
Rudolf Kempe







Review 1:

Review signed R. A. E. in Musical America

The Saturday afternoon broadcast of Wagner's opera was its second performance of the season, with recasting in the two leading feminine roles. Astrid Varnay, the Venus of the first performance, sang Elisabeth, and Blanche Thebom sang Venus. Miss Varnay has sounded better on other occasions, but there was no flaw in her interpretation. Her "Dich, theure Halle" was ecstatically joyful, her defense of Tannh?user dramatically passionate, her final prayer inwardly dedicated and serene. In the face of such a heartfelt, communicative and understanding singing, the quality of Miss Varnay's voice became an academic matter. Miss Thebom's Venus was properly seductive in manner, but somewhat strained vocally except in softer passages, where she achieved lovely tones. Rudolf Kempe's conducting was assured and musicianly, keeping the opera moving along in a manner that understated its effects - refreshingly so. Ramon Vinay (Tannh?user), George London (Wolfram), and Jerome Hines (the Landgrave) headed the male contingent of the cast.



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