[Met Performance] CID:118020

New Production

Die Walküre
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, December 18, 1935

Debut : Marjorie Lawrence, Charlotte Symons, Leopold Sachse




Die Walküre (278)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Brünnhilde
Marjorie Lawrence [Debut]

Siegmund
Lauritz Melchior

Sieglinde
Elisabeth Rethberg

Wotan
Friedrich Schorr

Fricka
Kathryn Meisle

Hunding
Emanuel List

Gerhilde
Charlotte Symons [Debut]

Grimgerde
Irra Petina

Helmwige
Dorothee Manski

Ortlinde
Pearl Besuner

Rossweisse
Ina Bourskaya

Schwertleite
Myrtle Leonard

Siegrune
Thelma Votipka

Waltraute
Doris Doe


Conductor
Artur Bodanzky


Director
Leopold Sachse [Debut]

Set Designer
Jonel Jorgulesco





Die Walküre received four performances this season.

Review 1:

Review by W.J. Henderson in the New York Sun:

In a recent interview Edward Johnson, now impresario of the Metropolitan Opera House, declared that the institution depended for its prosperity chiefly on Verdi, Wagner, and Puccini. The first of these made a triumphant return on Monday evening, and last night the second was represented by his popular "Die Walküre". The procession of the season's debut began with this performance. Marjorie Lawrence, a soprano from the antipodes, was disclosed with the rising of the second act curtain as Brünnhilde. The new dramatic singer proved to be a singer of value and of promise. She disclosed a good voice, generally well placed, an attack almost always firm and unhampered, phrasing musically planned, and commendable diction. The voice showed quite enough power for the role. The delivery of the "Ho-jo-to-ho" was somewhat harsh and forced by reason of nervous anxiety, but in the scene with Wotan and in the "Todesverkuendigung" the true quality of the organ, rich and mellow and without impending technical faults, was exhibited. Miss Lawrence was not a tempestuous Brünnhilde, but her impersonation demonstrated the presence of a musical intelligence and a valuable stage experience. And throughout her interpretation of the music ran an undercurrent of sensitive feeling which readily made itself perceptible to the audience. It is probable that this new singer will wear well and grow in the public esteem.

Photographs of Marjorie Lawrence as Brünnhilde and Friedrich Schorr as Wotan by Wide World Studio.



Search by season: 1935-36

Search by title: Die Walküre,



Met careers
imageimage