Oh what a knight

On this day in 1948 the Metropolitan Opera presented Der Rosenkavalier in Northrup Memorial Auditorium in Minneapolis.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYBENsMm9s

John K. Sherman in the Minneapolis Star:

Rise Stevens as the man-woman Octavian, and Emanuel List as the arrogant and vulgar Baron Ochs, easily ran off with the first honors in last night’s performance.

Miss Stevens is rapidly accruing impressive assets in both singing and acting departments, for her Octavian was all flourish and gallantry as a man, and simulated a delightfully ungainly boyishness in the female impersonation – even as to voice. List was properly repulsive and ridiculous, and he gave the old lecher a flavorsome characterization.

But credits, too, must go to Irene Jessner as the princess who is under the melancholy spell of growing old and who sadly and selflessly relinquishes her shining young lover to Sophie. And the Sophie had a demure charm and fine flute tones in the performance of Nadine Conner. These three were splendid in the last act’s trio, where Strauss’ chattering music rises to the most eloquent and moving lyricism of the play. . . .

The sets were not distinguished, and the lighting was standard.

Born on this day in 1941 soprano Ghena Dimitrova.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrDkeyD_hy8

Happy 89th birthday mezzo-soprano Jane Berbié.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiojHXrFpYA

Born on this day in 1924 soprano Mimi Benzell.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8joPQIiiDwk

WindyCityOperaman

Dan Soda (Windy City Operaman) is a Chicago native whose first visit to opera was at age 17 and Massenet’s Werther with Troyanos and Kraus. Nothing was ever the same. Opera and concert performances, recordings and video are an obsession. He prepares Parterre Box’s daily birthday and anniversary tributes. He also enjoys concerts, live theater and movies.

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