[Met Performance] CID:136020
Tristan und Isolde {300} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/24/1943.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
November 24, 1943
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE {300}
Wagner-Wagner
Tristan.................Lauritz Melchior
Isolde..................Helen Traubel
Kurwenal................Herbert Janssen
Brangäne................Kerstin Thorborg
King Marke..............Norman Cordon
Melot...................Emery Darcy
Sailor's Voice..........John Garris
Shepherd................John Garris
Steersman...............John Gurney
Conductor...............Thomas Beecham
Director................Lothar Wallerstein
Set designer............Joseph Urban
Costume designer........Mathilde Castel-Bert
Tristan und Isolde received seven performances this season.
[Traubel's costumes were designed by Adrian.]
Review of Leonard Liebling in the Music al Courier
"Tristan" under Beecham
On November 24, the opera was "Tristan und Isolde," with the familiar Melchior and Traubel as the incandescent love pair. It was reported that the soprano had a cold, but one could not observe any indisposition in her full, rich tones, her easy delivery, and her glowing portrayal. Melchior, the incomparable Tristan, poured out his vocalism with generous freedom and romanticism, and made the text as distinct as it was meaningful. Norman Cordon covered himself with glory as King Marke. It was a moving achievement in singing and impersonation. Thorborg's Brängane belongs to one of the abiding joys of the Metropolitan. Herbert Janssen rang true as the resonant and devoted Kurvenal. Darcy (Melot), Garris (Shepherd and Sailor's Voice) and Gurney (Steersman) were the rest of the shining cast. Sir Thomas Beecham did a wonderfully impressive feat of conducting, with tempi admirably paced, dynamics tastefully toned, and all the lyric beauty and passionate surge of the imperishable score brought to loveliest realization.