[Met Performance] CID:4540



Tannhäuser
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, January 6, 1886




Tannhäuser (21)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Tannhäuser
Eloi Sylva

Elisabeth
Auguste Seidl-Kraus

Wolfram
Adolf Robinson

Venus
Anna Slach

Hermann
Philip Lehmler

Walther
Max Alvary

Heinrich
Otto Kemlitz

Biterolf
Carl Kaufmann

Reinmar
Emil Sänger

Shepherd
Ida Klein


Conductor
Walter Damrosch







Review 1:

Review in The New York Times:

"Tannhäuser' was repeated at the Metropolitan Opera House last evening, the artists concerned in the rendering of Wagner's opera being the same that took part in the representation with which the season was commenced. The performances of M. Sylva and Herren Robinson and Alvary, and that of Frau Krauss were notably impressive, while the work of the chorus and orchestra, under Mr. Walter Damrosch's firm and spirited leadership, was highly commendable. Herr Sylva's robust voice easily meets the rather exceptional demands of Tannhäuser, and his broad and impassioned style have unusual scope for display in the music of the rôle, while the distinctly Italian method of Herr Robinson is capitally fitted to the beautifully melodious measures allotted to Wolfram von Eschenbach. Herr Alvary's fresh and ringing tones aided not a little the effect of the magnificent septet with which the first act is brought to a close, and Frau Krauss yielded less frequently than of late to a tendency to damage the quality of her notes by an attempt to add to their power. Herr Lehmler as Hermann, the Landgrave, was not always in tune but Herr Kaufman, who portrayed Bitterolf, was the chief offender in respect of intonation, and was quite at sea in the contest of the bards in the second act. These comparatively slight blemishes, however, did not detract materially from the enjoyment of the representation by a numerous and brilliant audience, that applauded enthusiastically the fine rendering of the noble overture and called forth the singers whenever the curtain fell. The management of the stage last night was exceptionally efficient in that the appearance of the huntsmen, horse, and dogs, just before the end of the first act, was brought about in time to give the spectators a chance to behold them; it is only to be regretted that, through awkwardness or insufficiency of the forces employed, the intermissions should have been so protracted. Thirty minutes were occupied with the change of scene between the first and second acts on the occasion under notice.



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