Metropolitan Opera Archives

The chief of the opera joys of yesterday was found in the performance of "Lohengrin" at the Metropolitan Opera House in the evening. To be sure there is nothing novel in the opera nor, at this time, in the general manner of its performance at the Metropolitan Opera House. But last night an element of novelty was brought into the representation by the first appearance here of Olive Fremstad as Elsa, a role which she had already sung in Philadelphia. It was an interesting impersonation worthy of more elaborate comment than it can receive at this time.

To summarize, it may be said that Mme. Fremstad sang the music with a skill that commanded not only admiration, but even astonishment. Her management of the high tones, which in her ambitious effort to become a soprano, have given her natural concern, was clever in the extreme. But what is more important, she sang with musical beauty, with intelligence and with poetry. Her impersonation was lovely and just in conception and beautifully conveyed in pose, gesture, action, and facial expression.

All the other members of the cast have been already heard this season except Florence Wickham, who was a very sinister Ortrud. Mr. Witherspoon returned to the role of the Herald, which he sang much better than at his previous appearance. The singing of the chorus and the playing of the orchestra were good and Alfred Hertz conducted well.

Search by season: 1909-10

Search by title: Lohengrin,

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