Metropolitan Opera Archives

The audience at the Metropolitan last night was not the largest of the season, but its interest in Wagner's beautiful work, "Die Meistersinger" was manifested in close attention during the acts and in abundant applause at the ends of them. The performance was in the hands of the same persons as heretofore, and was therefore smooth and generally effective. Herr Alvary was not in the best of voice, but unfitness of the vocal organs is a failing to which the best of singers is liable. There is one defect in his interpretation of Walter which there may be some doubt as to his ability to remedy. His grasp of the dramatic situation in which Walter sings his prize song and carries the master singers by storm is neither firm nor strong, and the force of the scene is not completely revealed. Herr Alvary's singing is the cause of the weakness. This is a scene in which a vocal tour de force would be decidedly to the point, but such a display is unfortunately beyond the limitations of this artist, whose general rendering of this part is undeniably commendable.

As for the remainder of the cast, there is absolutely nothing to say that has not been already said. Constant remarks on Herr Alvary may properly suggest to the reader that his work is always worthy of consideration. This is true, and it would perhaps be difficult to pay a more valuable tribute to the artist. The orchestra last night seemed to be in especially good form, and it goes without saying that Herr Seidl, whose ability as a Wagner conductor is beyond a question, directed the proceedings admirably.

Search by season: 1888-89

Search by title: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,

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