On this day in 1955 Rudolf Kempe made his Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Tannhäuser.

Douglas Watt in the Daily News:

Wagner’s delightful score vibrated with life but never, in the pit, exceeded its natural boundaries. From the start of the overture, it was evident that Kempe knew exactly what he wanted, possessed the means to get it, and exercised fine control. He conducted with fire and balance, and at no point throughout the evening did the orchestra override the vocal score. His was an impressive achievement.