Leonie Rysanek made her Met debut as Verdi’s Lady Macbeth on 05 February 1959, and bade farewell to the company as Tchaikovsky’s Countess in Pikovaya dama on 02 January 1996. With this upload of her 25th Anniversary Gala with the company, Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin celebrates La Rysanek’s 88th birthday on 14 November 2014.

Leonie Rysanek 25th Anniversary Gala
Metropolitan Opera
James Levine, conductor
26 February 1984

In-house recording

Richard Wagner: Parsifal, Act II

Parsifal – Peter Hofmann
Kundry – Leonie Rysanek
Klingsor – Franz Mazura
Klingsors Zaubermädchen – Gail Robinson, Cynthia Barnett, Eleanor Bergquist, Betsy Norden, Loretta Di Franco, Isola Jones

Presentation to Leonie Rysanek by Frank E. Taplin, President, Metropolitan Opera Association; Speech by Leonie Rysanek

Richard Wagner: Die Walküre, Act I

Siegmund – Peter Hofmann
Sieglinde – Leonie Rysanek
Hunding – John Macurdy

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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