[Met Performance] CID:5420



Die Königin von Saba
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, December 3, 1886




Die Königin von Saba (27)
Karl Goldmark | Hermann Salomon Mosenthal
Queen of Sheba
Therese Herbert-Förster

Assad
Max Alvary

Sulamith
Auguste Seidl-Kraus

King Solomon
Adolf Robinson

Astaroth
Sylvia Franconi

High Priest
Emil Fischer

Baal-Hanan
Max Heinrich


Conductor
Anton Seidl







Review 1:

Review in The New York Times:

METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE

If there were some changes in the cast of "The Queen of Sheba" at the Metropolitan last evening there was no difference apparent in the numbers or quality of the audience assembled to enjoy Goldmark's best known and best liked opera. The house, in fact, was crowded in every part, and, the box holders being in their accustomed seats the scene was one of the wonted brilliancy. The changes the cast referred to were made necessary by the heavy work done by Fräuleins Lehmann and Brandt during the current week. After appearing, in "Tristan und Isolde" Wednesday these performers have to come forth today in "The Prophet," which is quite trying for the soprano and still harder upon Fräulein Brandt than Wagner's music drama. Last night Frau Seidl-Krauss represented Sulamith and Fraulein Franconi - who has a voice of good timbre but whose emission is faulty to the extent of imparting considerable nasality to the singer's tones - Astaroth. Both performances were commendable efforts, and the characters filled being endowed with no great prominence, the absence of the two leading songstresses of the company was scarcely felt. In many other respects the representation showed a distinct gain. Herr Alvary was in excellent form and sang with rare expression and finish the measures allotted to Assad. Frau Herbert-Foerster, who brings both voice and looks to her portrayal of the Queen, was more at ease in the role than ever before. The somewhat theatrical but in no way exaggerated dignity of Herr Robinson is well suited to the part of King Solomon, and the occasional cantabile passages assigned to the monarch were never more smoothly and forcefully sung by the German baritone than on the occasion under notice. And Herr Fischer was, as heretofore, an impressive High Priest. It only remains to add that the scenic attire of "The Queen of Sheba" was as beautiful and effective as in the past: the production of Goldmark's opera at the Metropolitan, indeed, will be remembered by its "mise en scène" long after its choicest music shall have been forgotten by the general public. All the glittering pageants were greeted last evening with the old time enthusiasm, and Mme. Cavalazzi and the ballet were accorded their regular tribute of applause in the fourth act.



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