[Met Performance] CID:133090
Siegfried {195} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/21/1942.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
February 21, 1942
SIEGFRIED {195}
Siegfried...............Lauritz Melchior
Brünnhilde..............Elisabeth Rethberg
Wanderer................Julius Huehn
Erda....................Karin Branzell
Mime....................Karl Laufkötter
Alberich................Walter Olitzki
Fafner..................Emanuel List
Forest Bird.............Nadine Conner
Conductor...............Erich Leinsdorf
Review signed "S" in the Musical America of March 10, 1942
'Siegfried Has Second Performance
Wagner's 'Siegfried' had its second and final performance of the season on the evening of Feb. 21 before an audience which demonstrated, by its size and enthusiasm, that additional performances of the 'Ring' operas this year would have been welcome. Elisabeth Rethberg was the Brünnhilde, making her second appearance in the role at the Metropolitan. Mme. Rethberg's Brünnhilde was surprisingly good, considering the fact that she has sung less heroic roles predominantly. It had dramatic conviction and vocal resourcefulness, despite the fact that she pushed upper tones and hardened the quality of the voice in certain passages. Her commanding stage presence was an invaluable asset in giving a semblance of conviction to the final act, one of Wagner's least successful conceptions, as far as the average results on the stage are concerned. Lauritz Melchior's Siegfried was in fine fettle, vocally speaking. Julius Huehn as the Wanderer sang sonorously, but Mr. Huehn should move more deliberately, and add other touches of characterization to give the figure greater dignity. Karl Laufkoetter's Mime was a brilliant success and the Erda of Karin Branzell was impressive. Erich Leinsdorf conducted a bit too vehemently, but, on the whole, to vitalizing effect.