[Met Performance] CID:127390
Der Rosenkavalier {68} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/29/1939.
(Debut: Harriet Henders
Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
December 29, 1939
DER ROSENKAVALIER {68}
Octavian.....................Risë Stevens
Princess von Werdenberg......Lotte Lehmann
Baron Ochs...................Emanuel List
Sophie.......................Harriet Henders [Debut and only performance]
Faninal......................Julius Huehn
Annina.......................Doris Doe
Valzacchi....................Karl Laufkötter
Italian Singer...............John Carter
Marianne.....................Dorothee Manski
Mahomet......................Sari Montague
Princess' Major-domo.........Lodovico Oliviero
Orphan.......................Natalie Bodanya
Orphan.......................Lucielle Browning
Orphan.......................Anna Kaskas
Milliner.....................Thelma Votipka
Animal Vendor................Giordano Paltrinieri
Hairdresser..................Juan Casanova
Notary.......................Arnold Gabor
Leopold......................Ludwig Burgstaller
Faninal's Major-domo.........Lodovico Oliviero
Innkeeper....................Lodovico Oliviero
Police Commissioner..........Norman Cordon
Conductor....................Erich Leinsdorf
Review of Miles Kastendieck in the Brooklyn Eagle
Harriet Henders Makes Her Debut
Appears as Sophie in "Der Rosenkavalier"
In one of the best all-round performances of opera this season Harriet Henders made her debut as Sophie in "Der Rosenkavalier" at the Metropolitan last night. She contributed to the general high standard of the performance by singing the role better than any of her predecessors since the recent revival of the opera. While her voice is light, it has a sweet, clear quality quite pleasing to the ear. But what was the more impressive was the fact that she appeared to know how to use it and to act her part as well. While somewhat plump in appearance, she was attractive. Credit her with a distinctly favorable impression.
As for the rest of the cast it was familiar, with Lotte Lehmann in her superb characterization of the Marschallin, Risë Stevens a winning Octavian and Emanuel List the bumptious Baron Ochs. Mr. Leinsdorf conducted with more effectiveness; the music flowed more smoothly and more warmly. Perhaps it did not have quite the accent, but it had the authoritative stamp.
