Metropolitan Opera Archives

Wagner's ever-welcome opera, "Die Meistersinger," was performed at the Metropolitan Opera House last evening for the first time this season. The house was well filled with a brilliant and enthusiastic audience. The performance was in most respects one of the best of the season. It was pitched in a high key at the start and maintained its initial tone throughout. It would be easy enough to find fault with some minor details, but the general spirit of the evening's work atoned for any small faults. The comedy of the delightful story was brought out with a great display of well-directed vivacity and a fine unanimity of purpose. Nothing could have excelled the by-play of the chorus people in the first act, though there were times when it might have been toned down a little without injury to the general effect.

The comparatively weak spot in the representation was Herr Mödlinger's Beckmesser; but that was far from being a bad performance. On the contrary, it was the best thing he has done here. His serenade scene was undeniably funny. He was at a disadvantage from being in company with Herr Fischer, whose Hans Sachs is one of the joys of "Die Meistersinger" at the Metropolitan. The basso was in better voice last evening than he has been for some time past, and he sang most of the time with his pristine vigor and beauty of style. As for his acting, it need only be said that he rarely acts anything badly, and Sachs is one of his best parts.

Interest was added to the production by the first appearance of Fräulein Senger-Bettaque in Eva, a rôle which she has sung on the sacred stage of Bayreuth . She has, of course, been well drilled in the traditional reading of the part and her interpretation had, therefore, some of the weight of authority about it. We must confess, however, that her singing was open to criticism, for it was not always in tune nor was it always free from forcing. Herr Alvary was not in the best of voice, but he sang Walther tolerably and acted with judgment. Herr Grinauer as Kothner and Herr Beck as Pogner were satisfactory. Herr Sedlmayer's David was a passably good performance. The chorus as before noted, did its work well, and the orchestra was excellent. This afternoon "Das Rheingold" will be performed.

Search by season: 1888-89

Search by title: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,

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