OPERA NEWS - VOLUME XXIV - NUMBER 10 - JANUARY 9, 1960

Sep 29, 2026

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Opera News issue dated January 9, 1960, covering Guild-sponsored and Metropolitan Opera events, performer and production updates, and schedules for upcoming benefit performances and working rehearsals. Contents include articles tracing the Tristan legend, features on Brangäne and Kurvenal, coverage of the first American performance of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, and programming previews for future broadcasts. It also provides membership notices, announcements of auditions, and a NAMES-DATES-FACES section with casting and institutional news.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Names, Dates, Faces

This Week

And Next

Names, Dates, Faces

Member’s Corner

Upcoming benefits and working rehearsals

Contents

Frank Merklin - Editorial

Most Unhappy Fella-I

The Good Companions

He Knew What They Wanted

MEMBER’S CORNER..。 I am very happy to announee that the first performanee ofthe new Tristan und Isolde,whieh the Guild sponsored onDecember 18 as a benefit for the Produetion Fund,yieldednet receipts of over $28,000.We are grateful to the manyfriends who supported this gala performance and helped tomake the evening both a finaneial and an artistie suecess. Looking forward to another outstanding Guild event,mayI remind you that our third benefit of the season,GiuseppeVerdi's Simon Boccanegra,takes plaee on Mareh 1?MargaretWebster,who staged the memorable Metropolitan produe-tions of Don Carlo and Aida,returns to the Opera House todireet this signal revival.New settings and eostumes havebeen ereated by Frederiek Fox,a designer known to us all forhis Andrea Chénier and Tosca,both of whieh were formerGuild benefits.Dimitri Mitropoulos eonducts and the castwill inelude Mme.Tebaldi and Messrs.Warren,Tueker andTozzi.Mrs.Florenee Hcath,who takes eharge of all benefitapplieations,reports that good tiekets,prieed from $4 to $25,are still available for Simon Boccanegra. The privilege of attending Working Rehearsals at theMetropolitan eontinues to be one of the greatest attraetionsof Sustaining,Contributing and Donor Membership in theGuild.The third such rehearsal of this season,devoted toMozart's Don Giovanni,will take plaee on January 14,at 11:00 a.m.sharp.Rehearsals of Die Walkiire(Acts II and II)on February 5 and of Andrea Chénier on Mareh 3 followfor members who have selected these alternate ehoiees. OPERA NEws has published in its final issue for eaeh of thepast dozen years the eomplete record of casts and perform-anees at the Metropolitan:“Annals of the Season,”eompiledby William H.Seltsam.In order that the eight pages oeeupicdby this record in the magazine may be devoted to othermaterial,we wonder if our rcaders would approve the publi-eation of Annals as a separate supplement,available uponrequest at a small eharge.Your yeas or nays,tabulated dur-ing the next six weeks,will hclp us to answer the question thisseason and in years to eome.Address your postcard toOPERA NEWS,654 Madison Avenue,New York 21. Janglin■ VOLUME XXIV:NUMBER 10:JANUARY 9,1960 OPERA NEWS CONTENTS FRANK MERKLINGEditor Names.Dates.Faces …… ……………………………….2Most Unhappy Fella-I,by George McElroy…………… 4The Good Companions,by Mary Watkins Cushing ……6He Knew What They Wanted:Earle Lewis … … 8Scenes from an Enchanted Life: MARY JANE MATZContributing Editor 5.Félia Litvinne and the Gay Nineties, GERALD FITZGERALDFLORENCE STEVENSONAssistant Editors by Ernest de Weerth … …9Wagner at the Waldorf .………… … …… ……10Tristan Arrives,by Ann M.Ling……… …… ……12New Swedish Champion:Birgit Nilsson … ……14Dialogue with the Hero:Ramon Vinay.…… …….15Opera of the Week:Wagner's Tristan und Isolde ………16The Story ………… … … ……18A Tristan Sampler…… …………………………21What to Read …… ……… ………… … …29The Stuff of Legend:Teo Otto's design.…… …22Opera on Records ……………… ………………24Grieg's Unfinished Opera,by Doris Lanita Axelsen ……26A Taste for Music …… …… ……………………………30 JOHN W.FREEMANRecord Editor ARTHUR SOLIN Art Editor ALPHA VAN VALKENBURGHAdvertising Manager THIS WEEK:on the cover is a moment the Tristan audiencenever sees:the arrival of the ship in Cornwall,with its sailssilhouetted against King Marke’s castle.Other moments thatare seen in the Metropolitan's new production will be foundillustrated in this issue,plus an interview with the designer.In the first of two articles,George McElroy traces the fas-cinating history of the Tristan legend;Mrs.Cushing's subjectis Brangäne and Kurvenal,among other operatic attendants.The first American performance of Wagner's revolutionarymusic drama is described by Ann M.Lingg.Helcn Noble,author of Life with the Met,writes of her late boss,EarleLewis. OPERA NEWS is issued weeklyduring the opera season and atwider intervals spring and fallby the Metropolitan Opera Guild,654 Ma

FAQs

What does the Member’s Corner section announce for upcoming benefit events?

It promotes a Tristan und Isolde gala benefit and previews the next benefit season event, Giuseppe Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra on March 1, along with ticket availability details.

When are working rehearsals scheduled for members?

Working rehearsals include Mozart’s Don Giovanni on January 14, with Die Walküre rehearsals on February 5 and Andrea Chénier on March 3 for members who choose those alternate options.

What is highlighted in the Contents and This Week section of the issue?

The issue features articles including coverage of the Tristan legend, discussion of Brangäne and Kurvenal, description of the first American performance of Wagner’s music drama, and related interviews and previews.

Sep 29, 2026

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