[Met Performance] CID:133490



Parsifal
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, April 1, 1942




Parsifal (153)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Parsifal
Lauritz Melchior

Kundry
Kerstin Thorborg

Amfortas
Julius Huehn

Gurnemanz
Emanuel List

Klingsor
Walter Olitzki

Titurel
Nicola Moscona

Voice
Doris Doe

First Esquire/Flower Maiden
Marita Farell

Third Esquire
John Garris

Fourth Esquire
John Dudley

First Knight
Emery Darcy

Second Knight
Mack Harrell

Flower Maiden
Eleanor Steber

Flower Maiden
Irra Petina

Second Esquire/Flower Maiden
Helen Olheim

Flower Maiden
Maxine Stellman

Flower Maiden
Lucielle Browning


Conductor
Erich Leinsdorf







Review 1:

Review of Francis D. Perkins in the Herald Tribune

"Parsifal" Benefit Given For Henry Street School

Emanuel List Is Heard in Role of Gurnemanz

Wagner's "Parsifal" had its annual post-season performance at the Metropolitan Opera House for the benefit of the Music School of the Henry Street Settlement last night, when it was heard by a large and attentive audience. Except for Emanuel List, as Gurnemanz, the list of principals was that of the only previous 1941-42 performance of this "consecrational festival play," with Lauritz Melchior in the title role, Kerstin Thorborg as Kundry, Julius Huehn as Amfortas, Walter Olitzki as Klingsor and Nicola Moscona as Titurel.

The general interpretation under Erich Leinsdorf's conductorship had many impressive measures and some relatively prosaic ones; the second act had more emotional intensity than the first, and the third was usually persuasive, but lapsed somewhat toward the close. Mr. Melchior's impersonation showed an expected musical and dramatic understanding of the role; the tenor was in good voice, and the expressive climaxes of his music were presented with memorable poignance and pathos. Mr. List provided much of his best singing of the season, with general firmness of tone, in a convincing portrayal of Gurnemanz, while Mme. Thorborg's Kundry, as before, gave an impression of careful artistic preparation which scored its best results in the character's enigmatic, demoniac and repentant moods. Mr. Huehn sang well, but has not yet fully mastered the expressive demands of this assignment; Mr. Olitzki was a quite effective, rather stagey Klingsor.

With Alexander Kipnis as Gurnemanz, "Parsifal" will have its annual Good Friday representation tomorrow afternoon, and this will be the last operatic performance of the season at the Metropolitan.



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