The Operatic PastCast: Recent Episodes
The Operatic PastCast
After the passing of Welsh tenor Richard Lewis in November of 1990, the BBC produced a tribute to him as part of their “Mining the Archives” series. The listener will hear Schubert’s Drei Gesänge des Partners and Brittten’s Canticle II with mezzo soprano Mary Thomas, recorded in June of 1966. The pianist in all these recordings is Ernest Lush (Part 1 of 2).
On April 25, 1963, journalist William Seward interviewed three people who knew and heard soprano Elisabeth Rethberg: soprano Rose Bampton remembers her during her early studies at the Curtis Institute, conductor Erich Leinsdorf voices his appreciation for her and memories were shared by Wagnerian heldentenor Lauritz Melchior. The listener will hear arias from Madama Butterfly, Roméo et Juliette and a duet from Lohengrin with Lauritz Melchior. My apologies for the less than perfect sound quality. I chose to open the complete Ave Maria from Otello.
Alfred Hubay was in his final year as Chief Usher for the Metropolitan Opera during the 1960-1961 season and in this episode, he relays many momentous events, including an opening night new but somber production of Nabucco with Cornell MacNeil, Leonie Rysanek and Bonaldo Giaiotti in his Met debut, Rudolf Bing’s policy of admitting late-comers, the debuts of Kerstin Meyer and Jane Rhodes in a revival of Carmen, the debut of Gabriella Tucci in Madama Butterfly and the debut of Eileen Farrell in Alceste (Part 1 of 3).
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include a particular performance of Andrea Chenier with Ettore Bastianini and Carlo Bergonzi, the departure of Antonietta Stella, the short-lived policy of banning curtain calls, a heartfelt remembrance of Anna Moffo and Zinka Milanov as a teacher (Part 5 of 5).
On May 17, 1985, the BBC aired a part of its series on 5 French Singers, this one concerning the soprano Germaine Lubin. Her early years and heritage are spoken of, as well as her personality traits, the development of her voice, her debut at 22, her calling card role of Elsa, her problematic low range and other aspects of her technique, working with composer Richard Strauss, vocal acting, Bayreuth and the Nazi era, and the German approach to music making. The listener will hear arias from Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, Fauré’s Au bord de l’eau and Schubert’s Erlkönig.
During the broadcast of Il trovatore on March 29, 1969, one of the intermission features was an episode of Biographies in Music, hosted by Francis Robinson. The subject was comprimario tenor Alessio de Paolis. In addition to hearing from Mr. de Paolis himself, the listener will hear excerpts from Rigoletto, Il barber di Siviglia, Turandot, Andrea Chewier, Madama Butterfly, La perichole and Tosca.
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include the lack of Wagnerian tenors for Birgit Nilsson, the debut of Jon Vickers as Canio, a new production of Fidelio with Jon Vickers conducted by Karl Böhm, the rare occasions of a Vickers/Nilsson Tristan ind Isolde, Die Walküre with Jon Vickers as Siegmund, Jerome Hines as Wotan and the Brünnhilde of Martha Mödl (Part 4 of 5).
On tour in Australia in 1994, Victoria de los Angeles was recorded speaking and responding to questions from the audience. Her charm, openness and philosophy are evident throughout both of the two ca. 25 minute episodes; only the last segment of the second episode deals specifically with her singing (Part 2 of 2).
During the broadcast of La boheme on February 4, 1967, a two part episode of Biographies in Music was aired, hosted by Francis Robinson about Scottish soprano Mary Garden. He speaks of biographical details in his inimitable style and the listener will hear excerpts from Louise, Paellas et Mélisande, Carmen, La traviata, At Parting, In the Gloaming, At Dawning and Annie Laurie. I have included the announcements before and after each of the two parts which play without interruption.
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as GeneralManager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include a new production of Simon Boccanegra for Leonard Warren, followed by the most tragic event in the Metropolitan Opera’s history, the debuts of Pavel Lisitsian as Amonasro, Anselmo Colzani in Simon Boccanegra with its constantly changing casts, such as Zinka Milanov’s first Amelia (Part 3 of 5).
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include the tumultuous debut of Birgit Nilsson in a new production of Tristan ind Isolde, a failure of a new production of The Gypsy Baron with Nicolai Gedda, Lisa della Casa and Regina Resnik and revivals of Pelléas et Mélisande with George London and Der fliegende Holläner also with London and Leonie Rysanek (Part 2 of 5).
On tour in Australia in 1994, Victoria de los Angeles was recorded speaking and responding to questions from the audience. Her charm, openness and philosophy are evident throughout both of the two ca. 25 minute episodes (Part 1 of 2).
On January 23, 1962, the BBC produced a program called “Prima Donna: A Meeting with an Opera Star”. Introduced by Alastair Selway, the 84-year-old Scottish soprano Mary Garden spoke with Madeau Stewart on subjects such as when to stop and retire, creating the role of Mélisande, advice for beginning singers, the role of Carmen, teaching, sopranos Nellie Melba, Luisa Tetrazzini, working with Richard Strauss and Jules Massenet. The listener will hear excerpts from Louise and Carmen.
The 1959-1960 season of the Metropolitan Opera found Alfred Hubay as Chief Usher for Rudolf Bing’s tenth season as General Manager. Mr. Hubay’s memories include an opening night new production of Il trovatore with Antonietta Stella, C arlo Bergonzi and Giulietta Simionato in her Met debut, Cavalleria rusticate with Jan Peerce and Jussi Björling with the Santuzza of Giulietta Simionato, and a failed new production of Le nozze di Figaro with Elisabeth Söderström in her debut as Susanna (Part 1 of 5).
As remembered by Alfred Hubay, there were many memorable moments of the 1958-1959 season of the Metropolitan Opera including the debuts of 5 tenors: Dimiter Uzunov, Flaviano Labo, Primo Zambruno, Karl Liebl and Barry Morell, Zinka Milanov’s first Met Desdemona, the first Met Iago of Tito Gobbi, the debuts of Karl Dönch and Aäse Nordmo-Llövberg as Sieglinde, the Lohengrin of Brian Sullivan, a classic cancellation/replacement story and a disastrous Verdi Requiem (Part 3 of 3).
During an intermission of the April 3, 1954 Carmen broadcast. John Gutman spent a brief time with soprano Mary Garden. She is her usual forthright self, reminiscing about Claude Debussy, creating the role of Mélisande and various other subjects. The episode begins with the opening of the tower scene from Paellas et Mélisande and the mélodie “Green”, both by and accompanied by the composer.
On May 15, 1986, the BBC produced an episode in their series called “Singer’s Choice” about German tenor Fritz Wunderlich. The listener will hear biographical details interspersed with arias and songs from Die Zauberflöte, Die Rose von Stambul, Eugene Onegin, a song by Robert Stolz, An di Laute of Schubert, Schumann’s Aus alten Märchen and Haydn’s Creation.
As remembered by Alfred Hubay, there were many memorable moments of the 1958-1959 season of the Metropolitan Opera including the Met’s attempt to start a ballet company, Les contes d’Hoffmann with Nicolai Gedda, Mattiwilda Dobbs, Lucine Amara and George London, the debuts of Martina Arroyo, Cornell MacNeil, a new production of Macbeth with Leonard Warren and Leonie Rysanek in her debut and the Met premiere of Wozzeck with Hermann Uhde, Eleanor Steber and Kurt Baum conducted by Karl Böhm (Part 2 of 2).
As remembered by Alfred Hubay, there were many memorable moments of the 1958-1959 season of the Metropolitan Opera including a star studded opening nightTosca with Renata Tebaldi, Mario del Monaco and George London, Renata Tebaldi’s first Met Butterfly and Manon Lescaut, how Rudolf Bing dealt with the cancellations and the ticket buyers, the firing of Maria Callas, a new production of Macbeth with Leonard Warren and Leonie Rysanek, Rudolf Bing’s superstitions and a new production of the double bill, Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci directed by Jose Quintero (Part 1 of 3).
From the broadcast of January 2, 1965, here is an episode of Biographies in Music by Francis Robinson on famed tenor Beniamino Gigli. In addition to biographical information, the listener will hear excerpts from La gioconda, La boheme, Lucia di Lammermoor, Le roi d’ys, Lohengrin Andrea Chenier and “Marie, Ah Marie”. I have inserted at the end an excerpt from Carmen with his daughter Rina. Unfortunately the recording of the episode begins a bit late.