Metropolitan Opera Archives

"Die Walküre" was originally announced for last evening at the Metropolitan Opera House, but on Monday it was found that Mme. Gadski's indisposition, which prevented her from singing Eva in "Die Meistersinger" on Saturday night, was likely to last long enough to prevent her appearance as Brünnhilde, and Mr. Gatti-Casazza accordingly decided to give "Lohengrin" for the pleasure of his Wednesday subscribers. It was possible with this change to retain the services of most of the singers who would have appeared with Mme. Gadski in "Die Walküre."

Mme. Fremstad, who would have sung Sieglinde, had an opportunity to experiment once more with her Elsa. Up to the present time she has not found it possible to place her impersonation of the Wagnerian Duchess of Brabant beside her Isolde. The cause must be sought in the music, to which she does not adapt herself readily. Histrionically her impersonation shows her usual skill in interpretation.

The most imposing figure in last night's performance was King Henry, acted and sung nobly by Carl Braun. This young bass has, in his splendidly authoritative manner, a theatrical asset of the highest value. He delivers his declamation with boldness, assurance and great breadth of style, while in such passages as the prayer in the first act he sings a broad, dignified, musical cantilena. He won plenty of applause last evening and added much to the general excellence of the performance.

Carl Jorn was the Lohengrin, a somewhat matter of fact Knight of the Grail. Mr. Goritz was the Telramund, Mr. Hinshaw the Herald and Mme. Homer the Ortrud. Mr. Hertz conducted.

Search by season: 1912-13

Search by title: Lohengrin,

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