[Met Tour] CID:152130



Tristan und Isolde
American Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tue, December 6, 1949




Tristan und Isolde (339)
Richard Wagner | Richard Wagner
Tristan
Lauritz Melchior

Isolde
Helen Traubel

Kurwenal
Herbert Janssen

Brangäne
Blanche Thebom

King Marke
Mihály Székely

Melot
Emery Darcy

Sailor's Voice
Leslie Chabay

Shepherd
Peter Klein

Steersman
Denis Harbour


Conductor
Jonel Perlea







Review 1:

Max de Schauensee in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin

Met Returns with “Tristan und Isolde”

 

Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” absent from Philadelphia for three years, constituted the Metropolitan’s second offering of the season at the Academy of Music last night.

A large audience witnessed a performance that never rose above seasoned routine.

This was a “Tristan” without passion, without ardor or impetuosity. It was careful, dignified and mature in feeling, but the divine spark was surely missing. “Tristan” without flame and tumult is only half an experience.

There was a new conductor on hand, Jonel Perlea, a Romanian, who has had experience in Italy. One would like to reserve judgment until one has heard Mr. Perlea in a number of works.

Last night, the new conductor took things very deliberately; in fact to such an extent that he drained the sap out of the music. His “Tristan” is transparent and serene, but it is lacking in any tension or excitement. Things just seemed to drag.

Mr. Perlea’s third act was by far his best. Aided by the wonderful dying Tristan of Lauritz Melchior, things gathered momentum, and interest became suddenly sharpened.

Helen Traubel did some lovely singing in half voice. When she sang at full volume, strain was evident, and many of her high notes from A upwards, sagged from pitch. Her Liebestod was labored and far from the shattering climax of an overwhelming experience.

The soprano looked handsome in her first act costume of fuchsia and flame. Would that more of the latter color had touched her beautiful voice and distinguished vocalism last night.

Blanche Thebom was a comely and solid Brangäne, whose costumes were a little on the “Kiss me Kate” order. Miss Thebom has gained in authority in this part since she was last heard here. Despite a couple of off-key notes in the Warning, she sang well.

Herbert Janssen was the fine and familiar Kurvenal, and a bass, new to Philadelphia, Mihay Szekely, was a superb King Marke. Mr. Szekely has a huge and steady voice, especially good in the lower half of its scale. His presence as the betrayed monarch was filled with compassionate dignity. Furthermore this singer of heroic vocal qualities can sing with ease and effect.

Mention must be made of Peter Klein, a new character tenor from Vienna, who made the part of the third-act shepherd stand out, as rarely does, with his sensitive singing and intelligent acting.

Inspired performances of “Tristan” are rare. Fine performances are not at every one’s beck and call either. Last night’s did not rate in either classification.



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