When I arrived at the theater where I have been watching the Met’s HD telecasts since they started about 17 years ago I was informed that the theater’s sound system had failed and accordingly the show would not go on – at least not where I was. I returned home in time to catch the radio broadcast. Obviously, I can’t comment on the production, but it’s the same one that was telecast in 2017. You can read about Robert Carsen’s staging here. I don’t know if the elephantine nonsense of the original production remains in the current revival. If it’s still there, this is a show better heard than seen.
A few remarks on the current revival of Strauss’ masterpiece. Two of the principals in this run were in the 2017 staging. Soprano Erin Morley was even better today as the teenage Sophie. Her high soprano was lustrous and she phrased her singing with elegance and sensitivity. Günther Groissböck was again the bumptious rustic nobleman Ochs. He has the part down pat and once again did not overplay his part.
Lise Davidsen has been causing a stir at the Met. She’s sung Tchaikovsky and Wagner at the New York house in addition to Strauss. Next season she’s going to add Verdi to her Met list when she sings the Forza Leonora. This season’s Rosenkavalier at the Met was her first go at Strauss’ chronologically challenged princess. Her Marschallin was beautifully sung though her interpretation will certainly grow with repetition. She not yet at the level of her illustrious predecessor in the role, Renée Fleming, but she’s off to a good start.
The American mezzo Samantha Hankey was Octavian, the 17 year old nobleman who trades in the 32 year old princess for a 15 year old rich commoner. Their liaison doubtless would not last very long as Octavian was sure to find another princess before too much time had past. Ms Hankey was in outstanding voice and carried her part in the glorious trio and duet that ends the opera with distinction. A young singer on the rise.
Maestra Simone Young had last conducted at the Met in 1998. She led a vigorous yet nuanced performance of Strauss’ marvellous score. Why she’s been gone for so long is hard to fathom. Young is currently the chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra – her hometown band. She was so good and in such command of the music that I hope the Met brings her back soon.
The army of supporting players, at least the ones that made a sound, were all first rate. If I hadn’t already seen this production, I’d go to the encore – assuming that my local theater has the sound ship righted.
Metropolitan Opera House
April 15, 2023
DER ROSENKAVALIER
Richard Strauss-Hugo Von Hofmannsthal
Octavian………………..Samantha Hankey
Princess von Werdenberg……Lise Davidsen
Baron Ochs……………….Günther Groissböck
Sophie…………………..Erin Morley
Faninal………………….Brian Mulligan
Annina…………………..Katharine Goeldner
Valzacchi………………..Thomas Ebenstein
Italian Singer……………René Barbera
Marianne…………………Alexandra LoBianco
Mahomet………………….Billy Conahan
Princess’ Major-domo………Spencer Hamlin
Lackey…………………..Marco Antonio Jordão
Lackey…………………..Ross Benoliel
Lackey…………………..Patrick Miller
Lackey…………………..Jonathan Scott
Orphan…………………..Lianne Coble-Dispensa
Orphan…………………..Mary K. Hughes
Orphan…………………..Christina Thomson Anderson
Milliner…………………Anne Nonnemacher
Animal Vendor…………….Dustin Lucas
Hairdresser………………Jonathan Amaro
Notary…………………..Bradley Garvin
Leopold………………….Patrick Stoffer
Faninal’s Major-domo………Corey Bix
Innkeeper………………..Tony Stevenson
Waiter…………………..Thomas Capobianco
Waiter…………………..Daniel Rich
Waiter…………………..Paul Corona
Waiter…………………..Christopher Job
Police Commissioner……….Scott Conner
Widow……………………Sidney Fortner
Doctor…………………..Frank Colardo
Conductor………………..Simone Young
Production……………….Robert Carsen
Set Designer……………..Paul Steinberg
Costume Designer………….Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lighting Designer…………Robert Carsen
Lighting Designer…………Peter Van Praet
Choreographer…………….Philippe Giraudeau
Stage Director……………Paula Suozzi
