Metropolitan Opera Archives

"Die Walkuere" receiving its fifth performance this season at the Metropolitan Opera House yesterday afternoon, took its place as the third of Mr. Gatti-Casazza's annual Wagner cycle presentations and the second of the "Ring" series. The cast brought two first appearances of leading singers this season. Grete Stueckgold, finally recovered from a two months' illness, was heard as Sieglinde, and Lauritz Melchior, Danish tenor, returned after a season's absence, in the role of Siegmund.

The performance as a whole was finely wrought and very impressive there were a few vocal defects among the most important singers and moments less exhilarating from the orchestra, especially in the first act. Mr. Schorr as Wotan in place of Mr. Bohnen, who was indisposed, was the dominating figure in the performance by virtue of his splendid voice, delivery of the music and sweeping histrionic ability. Mme. Kappel's Bruennhilde showed this artist in one of her finest interpretations. Her voice and dramatic inflection were not up to her best standard in her entrance scene with the "Hojotoho" cry; but vocal conditions soon adjusted themselves and she then realized to the end of the opera an impersonation of vocal beauty, and tender yet impressive power.

Mr. Melchior, who is equipped with Bayreuth traditions, sang his music with admirable understanding of color and phrase, and, without much romantic aspect of figure and face, he was, nevertheless, at all times well in, the artistic picture. Miss Stueckgold's fresh, lovely voice and admirable understanding of her part is the Sieglinde won laurels for graceful, engaging and pathetic impersonation, and Mme. Branzell gave a notable Fricka. Mr. Gustafson, somewhat raucous of tones, was a commendable Hunding. The large audience was duly demonstrative. Mr. Bodanzky conducted.

Search by season: 1928-29

Search by title: Die Walküre, Ring Cycle [50],

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