Metropolitan Opera Archives

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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