Metropolitan Opera Archives

The first "Tannhäuser" of the season was given at the Saturday matinee on Jan. 4, with singers in the leading roles whose impersonations were all familiar from other years. This was a singularly well-knit performance with the singers all doing their best. Mr. Melchior got off to a poor start, but improved as the opera progressed and sang the "Romerzählung" with dramatic sincerity and excellent tone. Wolfram is Mr. Janssen's most striking role and he made much of it from both angles. His singing of "The Evening Star" was a beautiful piece of lyric vocalization. Mr. List made a dignified and sonorous Landgraf.

On the distaff side, Mme. Flagstad carried the honors. Her "Dich, Teure Halle" has always been a masterpiece, and the dramatic scene at the close of the act seems to have gained in poignancy. The "Prayer" was also very fine. Mme. Thorborg sang Venus's music in her best style which is very good indeed, but this rôle is more effective when sung by a soprano with a good low register. The lesser roles were capably filled.

Mr. Leinsdorf conducted splendidly. The single exception which one might make is his continuing to take the March in the tempo of a gallop, a precedent established by the late Mr. Bodanzky, which is confusing to both eye and ear.

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