[Met Performance] CID:138990
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg {231} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/26/1945.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
February 26, 1945
DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG {231}
Hans Sachs..............Herbert Janssen
Eva.....................Eleanor Steber
Walther von Stolzing....Kurt Baum
Magdalene...............Kerstin Thorborg
David...................John Garris
Beckmesser..............Gerhard Pechner
Pogner..................Emanuel List
Kothner.................Mack Harrell
Vogelgesang.............Morton Bowe
Nachtigall..............Louis D'Angelo
Ortel...................Osie Hawkins
Zorn....................Richard Manning
Moser...................Lodovico Oliviero
Eisslinger..............Karl Laufkötter
Foltz...................Lorenzo Alvary
Schwarz.................John Gurney
Night Watchman..........Louis D'Angelo
Conductor...............George Szell
Review of Jerome D. Bohm in the Herald Tribune
Third "Meistersinger" Of Season Is Presented
Kurt Baum Makes Debut Here in Role of Walther
The third performance of the season of Wagner's "Meistersinger" at the Metropolitan Opera House last night brought with it the first appearance here of Kurt Baum in the role of Walther von Stolzing. The otherwise familiar cast included Eleanor Steber, as Eva; Kerstin Thorborg, as Magdalene; Herbert Janssen, as Hans Sachs; Gerhard Pechner, as Beckmesser; Emanuel List, as Pogner; John Garris, as David; Mack Harrell, as Kothner; and Messrs Bowe, Manning, Oliviero, Laufkötter, Hawkins, Alvary, D'Angelo and Gurney as Mastersingers. George Szell conducted.
Mr. Baum's delineation of the role of Walther was in many ways commendable. His warm, dark-textured voice is an admirable medium for the delivery of the music and his singing, especially in the first two acts, was often tonally persuasive and expressive, aside from some constriction in the upper tones. Unfortunately, the tightness of production increased in the third act, accompanied by some faulty intonation. Mr. Baum is a personable Walther and it is to be hoped that he will learn to project his voice with greater freedom.