Metropolitan Opera Archives

Review 1:

Review of John Ardoin in Musical America
The November 2
“Rosenkavalier” brought the debut of English bass Michael Langdon as Baron Ochs. It was an assured and relaxed debut. Langdon was less lusty and roughhewn than Otto Edelmann, and, for a change, sang every note of the score, though employing falsetto for some of the top notes. He played Ochs as a person younger than we are generally used to (though this is what Strauss had in mind), and he garnered more sympathy for Ochs than ususal. At times he did this by evoking an almost boyish quality. He also tried to be subtle in his pursuit of Octavian in Act I, and at one point, even became embarrassed when the Marschallin caught him in the act. His voice is round and heavy and should encompass Hunding as easily as Ochs. He is a fine addition to the company.

The balance of the cast was the same as the first “Rosenkavalier” of the season, and, in particular, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf’s Marschallin was as miraculous as ever. It was not a good night, however, for the orchestra.

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