[Met Performance] CID:144060



Siegfried
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, February 20, 1947




Siegfried (205)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Siegfried
Lauritz Melchior

Brünnhilde
Astrid Varnay

Wanderer
Joel Berglund

Erda
Claramae Turner

Mime
John Garris

Alberich
Walter Olitzki [Last performance]

Fafner
Dezsö Ernster

Forest Bird
Mimi Benzell


Conductor
Fritz Stiedry







Review 1:

A. V. B. in the Herald Tribune
“Siegfried”

Miss Varnay Sings Role of Brünnhilde First Time The season’s fourth performance of Wagner’s “Siegfried” at the Metropolitan Opera House last night introduced a notable new interpreter of the role of Brünnhilde in the person of Astrid Varnay. Miss Varnay, some weeks ago, brought credit upon herself with a distinguished performance of Isolde at short notice. Last night’s appearance was scheduled in advance but neither this fact nor the relative brevity of the role made her achievement any the less remarkable. For this part, however approached, is extremely exacting.

Miss Varnay’s recent growth in confidence, vocal opulence and lyrical sweep has been quite astonishing and rapid. Last night she did not shy away from the high notes and she invested the vocal line with a warmth, genuineness and appeal that it has rarely been our privilege to encounter in the final scene of “Siegfried.” Also appearing for the first time in their respective roles last night were Deszo Ernster as Fafner and Claramae Turner as Erda. They were just about adequate to the occasion, but nothing more. Others in the cast, whose merits have been dealt with earlier this season in these column, were Lauritz Melchior in the title role and John Garris, Joel Berglund and Walter Olitzki in supporting parts. Fritz Stiedry again conducted.



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