[Met Performance] CID:124950



Tannhäuser
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, February 3, 1939 Matinee





Tannhäuser (309)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Tannhäuser
Lauritz Melchior

Elisabeth
Irene Jessner

Wolfram
Herbert Janssen

Venus
Karin Branzell

Hermann
Herbert Alsen

Walther
Erich Witte

Heinrich
Max Altglass

Biterolf
Adolf Vogel

Reinmar
Louis D'Angelo

Shepherd
Pearl Besuner

Dance
Felia Dubrovska

Dance
Ruth Chanova

Dance
Beatrice Weinberger

Dance
Doris Neal

Dance
Ruth Harris

Dance
Grant Mouradoff

Dance
George Chaffee


Conductor
Erich Leinsdorf







Review 1:

Review by Oscar Thompson in the New York Sun:

Lyricism of a kind that never yet made an opera of a music drama less enjoyable played an enlarged part in the beginning of the Metropolitan's Wagner cycle yesterday afternoon, thanks to the participation of the company's new German baritone, Herbert Jannsen. His beautifully sung Wolfram was an important factor in the success of a sturdy and in many respects admirable, performance of "Tannhäuser" conducted by Erich Leinsdorf. In a shade better voice than when he made his debut in the same role last Saturday night, Mr. Janssen treated the several airs of Wolfram much as the highest type of song interpreter might treat Lieder of Schubert or Brahms. That is to say, he sang them with an affectionate regard for their poetic feeling as well as their musical qualities. His tone was warm and unforced, his style that of one who knew and respected the uses of legato. Singing so poised, so smooth, so expressive, and of such technical excellence will always be welcomed by the discriminating.



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