[Met Performance] CID:138530
Lohengrin {461} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/15/1945.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
January 15, 1945
LOHENGRIN {461}
Lohengrin...............Kurt Baum
Elsa....................Rose Bampton
Ortrud..................Kerstin Thorborg
Telramund...............Alexander Sved
King Heinrich...........Norman Cordon
Herald..................Hugh Thompson
Noble...................Morton Bowe
Noble...................Richard Manning
Noble...................William Hargrave
Noble...................Philip Whitfield
Conductor...............Erich Leinsdorf
Review of Oscar Thompson in the Sun
KURT BAUM SINGS THE ROLE OF LOHENGRIN
Swan knights come and go in the Metropolitan's round of "Lohengrins," which started with six performances in its [first] season. There was a new one last night, when Kurt Baum appeared as the Grail Ritter for the first time here. King Henry had a new Herald in Hugh Thompson, and the Elsa of the evening took her place in Wagner's opera for the first time this season. The cast otherwise was the same as at the previous representation, and the orchestra again was conducted by Erich Leinsdorf.
Mr. Baum sang acceptably. His voice is rather light for a Wagnerian role and was of much the same volume and color throughout. If not of heroic stature, he wore his silver armor with the ease of past experience, and his stage routine was ample for the role. The other newcomer, Mr. Thompson, met the high tessitura of the Herald's part nicely.
Miss Bampton's portrayal of Elsa had many points in its favor. She was tall and trim, and she wore her medieval robes handsomely. But what is of more consequence, she sang the music of the Princess of Brabant on pitch and with a free, easy tone. The air to the wandering breezes floated into the night. Her malignant listener, the baleful Ortrud, was again impersonated by Kerstin Thorborg, and her companion in evil, the unchivalric Telramund, … more had the voice of Alexander Sved. Norman Cordon reappeared as the King. Lothar Wallerstein was in charge of the stage.