Metropolitan Opera Archives

If a new baritone were to arrive from the other side heralded as an eminent Wotan, some little ripples of excitement would doubtless be caused in our local operatic circles. However, Clarence Whitehill is an American artist, and therefore taken as a matter of course; the fact is that he is an imposing and individual interpreter of this majestic part. Whitehill's stature and vocal color lend themselves ideally to a satisfying delineation. But it must not be thought that Mr. Whitehill was the central figure in the "Walküre" performance of Thursday evening. As a matter of fact, Sembach was the Siegmund and Mme. Jeritza, the Sieglinde. Mr. Sembach was in better voice than usual, and essayed the part according to the best traditions. Mme, Jeritza was a fair and plausible figure as Sieglinde, but vocally she was rather a disappointment in this soul-trying part. A certain hardness of tone, a rather flinty quality, robs Sieglinde of the sympathy that should have been bestowed upon her.

Mme. Matzenauer was a magnificent Brünnhilde, dramatically and vocally; this is one of her truly great impersonations. The Valkyries in the Metropolitan "Walküre" production are strikingly good, nor should we forget the glorious voice and admirable conception of Jeanne Gordon as Fricka; nor the capable work of William Gustafson as Hunding. Mr. Bodanzky conducted.

Search by season: 1921-22

Search by title: Die Walküre,

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