[Met Performance] CID:42410



Götterdämmerung
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, December 18, 1908




Götterdämmerung (63)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Brünnhilde
Olive Fremstad

Siegfried
Alois Burgstaller

Gunther
Adolph Mühlmann

Gutrune
Rita Fornia

Hagen
Allen Hinckley

Alberich
Otto Goritz

First Norn
Marianne Flahaut

Second Norn
Maria Ranzow

Third Norn
Félicie Kaschowska

Woglinde
Lenora Sparkes

Wellgunde
Henriette Wakefield

Flosshilde
Louise Homer


Conductor
Arturo Toscanini







Review 1:

Review of Charles Henry Meltzer in the World

SIEGFRIEDS SCARECE AMONG THE SINGERS

Burgstaller Consents to Replace Schmedes After Dippel Declines

Till a few hours before the curtain rose on the first scene in "Götterdämmerung" last night, it was a tossup whether any performance of that glorious music-drama - last in the "Nibelung's Ring" series - would be given at the Metropolitan.

In the Metropolitan's company there are only two tenors able to sing the part of the mature (or, for that matter, of the youthful) Siegfried. One is Mr. Schmedes, who is still suffering from a surgical operation on his nose, and the other is Mr. Burgstaller, who has not been in good health since his arrival in this country.

Mr. Schmedes had been announced as the Siegfried. When it was seen that he could not possibly assume the prat without unnecessary offense to the public, an appeal was made to Mr. Burgstaller. At first he also protested against being dragged out of his bed of sickness to make a New York holiday.

In despair, Mr. Gatti-Casazza then turned to Mr. Dippel, who had so often come to the assistance of other managers.

M. de Centanini, speaking for Mr. Gatti-Casazza, implored Mr. Dippel to break a vow which he had registered by singing the role of Richard Wagner's hero. But, probably for the first time in his career, Mr. Dippel declined to [be] lured onto the stage. He was sorry. It would have given him pleasure. But he was out of practice.

Finally, in answer to another and an agonized petition, Mr. Burgstaller "kindly consented." So, after all, "Götterdämmerung" was performed last night at the Metropolitan.

The event attracted a much smaller audience than it deserved. Maestro Toscanini's remarkable interpretation of the music-drama would of itself have atoned for the vocal deficiencies of Mr. Burgstaller. Probably many of the gaps in the house might have been accounted for the by nearness of Christmas.

Considering the distressing fact that he was still a victim of laryngitis, Mr. Burgstaller did almost as well with his part as Mr. Schmedes did when in good health.

Mme. Fremstad repeated her beautiful achievement as Brünnhilde, Mme. Fornia sang the music of Gutrune, Mr. Goritz was the Alberich, Mr. Hinckley appeared as Hagen, and the remaining parts were sung as at the previous performance.

The "Funeral March," marvelously played, again made a profound impression.



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