[Met Performance] CID:158250



Die Fledermaus
Metropolitan Opera House, Mon, December 10, 1951

Debut : Josef Blatt


In English



Die Fledermaus (44)
Johann Strauss II | Karl Haffner/Richard Genée
Rosalinde
Hilde Güden

Eisenstein
Charles Kullman

Adele
Patrice Munsel

Alfred
Brian Sullivan

Prince Orlofsky
Blanche Thebom

Dr. Falke
John Brownlee

Dr. Blind
Paul Franke

Frank
Clifford Harvuot

Ida
Maria Karnilova

Frosch
Jack Mann

Dance
Maria Karnilova

Dance
Socrates Birsky


Conductor
Josef Blatt [Debut]







Review 1:

Review signed C. H. in The New York Times
JOSEF BLATT LEADS ‘MET’ ‘FLEDERMAUS’

Johann Strauss’ “Fledermaus,” the Metropolitan Opera standing-room-only hit of last year, had its third performance of the season there last night. Josef Blatt, Vienna-born conductor who has been on the opera’s staff for just over a year, made his debut in the pit, leading the experienced cast.

This tuneful score might seem almost to play itself, for its rhythms are mostly of waltz and polka tempos. But there are likely to be complication when operatic stars and musicians combine their efforts, and Mr. Blatt and his singers took a whole act to blend their accents properly.

The ensembles, large and small, of Act II had the unanimity that one expects from the Metropolitan, and the soloists fell into line during that period. There was however, still a certain restless quality to the proceedings that can only be attributed to Mr. Blatt’s unusually lively tempos and the singer’s lack of familiarity with them.

But the orchestra responded easily to the conductor’s unforced gestures, and it is certain that proper adjustments among the other performers will be made soon. Mr. Blatt is expected to be the regular conductor of “Fledermaus” for the season. Tibor Kozma, who drew the assignment this season is at present on the road with the opera.


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