Metropolitan Opera Archives

Marjorie Lawrence returned to the company to sing Brünnhilde in the season's third "Walküre" on Jan. 2. The performance presented one of those rare occasions when Kirsten Flagstad was to be heard as Sieglinde, the role of her debut at the Metropolitan six years ago. In sheer beauty of vocal sound, Miss Flagstad's Sieglinde surpasses all others, and there are those who prefer her in this part to the larger rôle

of Brünnhilde, which she customarily essays.

Miss Lawrence's embodiment of Wotan's unruly daughter had its customary vitality and expressiveness. She was not, however, in her best voice and, aside from occasional hoarseness, did not quite reach the top notes of "Ho yo to ho." Friedrich Schorr was another who returned to the company on this occasion somewhat under his usual vocal level; having only recently recovered from a serious illness, it was not surprising that his voice lacked its customary resonance. His impersonation of Wotan was to be admired for the sturdy qualities that have made it famous in the past. Mr. Melchior, however, was in admirable fettle as Siegmund.

Kerstin Thorborg was second only to Mme. Flagstad in the authority and thrust of her singing. Her Fricka remains one of the Metropolitan's most noteworthy Wagnerian characterizations. Emanuel List's Hunding retained its good qualities. Erich Leinsdorf conducted. It was not his fault that the brasses had a rather bad evening.

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