[Met Performance] CID:86250



Die Walküre
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, February 6, 1924

Debut : Karin Branzell




Die Walküre (204)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Brünnhilde
Margarete Matzenauer

Siegmund
Curt Taucher

Sieglinde
Delia Reinhardt

Wotan
Michael Bohnen

Fricka
Karin Branzell [Debut]

Hunding
William Gustafson

Gerhilde
Phradie Wells

Grimgerde
Marion Telva

Helmwige
Mary Mellish

Ortlinde
Laura Robertson

Rossweisse
Flora Perini

Schwertleite
Kathleen Howard

Siegrune
Raymonde Delaunois

Waltraute
Henriette Wakefield


Conductor
Artur Bodanzky







Review 1:

Review Signed B. R. in Musical America

Metropolitan Introduces Notable Mezzo-Soprano in Karin Branzell

The Perfect Wagnerite would have rejoiced mightily over the performance of "Die Walküre" on Wednesday evening of last week at the Metropolitan. To begin with, there was an exceedingly accomplished cast, including several favorite artists; moreover, the orchestra, under the authoritative and fiery beat of Mr. Bodanzky, played quite superbly; and last (and very far from least), there was the debut of a new singer richly endowed vocally and histrionically. The latter was Karin Branzell, a contralto - mezzo more accurately describes her voice - from Sweden, who on that evening effected her bow on the Metropolitan stage in the comparatively small rôle of Fricka.

Mme. Branzell, as she at once made apparent, is a decidedly important addition to Mr. Gatti-Casazza's company. Statuesque in appearance, well versed in the knowledge of her rôle, with a voice of superb power and refined timbre, she made a deep impression in her single scene in Act II. There was a very genuine majesty in her acting, and as she becomes more familiar with the great space of the auditorium, she will undoubtedly project and modulate her voice with even finer art than she displayed at this performance. Brief as her opportunity was, she left the impression of a matured and musicianly singer with a voice of arresting beauty. Decidedly, she "made good."

Mr. Bohnen effected his return to the Metropolitan on this occasion in the rôle of Wotan. His is not the conventional conception of the chieftain of the gods; it is much more than that. Impressive in appearance, convincing dramatically, and with a rich, clarion voice which he peals forth most effectively, this artist gives a thoroughly interesting interpretation of his important rôle. The part of his disobedient daughter, Brünnhilde, was in the experienced and familiar care of Mme. Matzenauer.

Delia Reinhardt, who last season was heard as Sieglinde, repeated her sympathetic portrayal of the rôle on this occasion, and Curt Taucher's Siegmund was a virile interpretation. William Gustafson was properly sinister as Hunding, and he sang his lines well. The Valkyrie sisters were enacted by Mmes. Mellish, Wells, Robertson, Perini, Telva, Wakefield, Delaunois and Howard.



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