Salome (1949 Reiner, Welitsch / @1905 Strauss), New York (Met) production, sound recording (opera)

Salome (1949) is a New York (Met) production and sound recording of Salome (1905 Strauss / Lachmann), opera, conducted by Fritz Reiner.

Abstract

Live recording from the Metropolitan Opera House, 12 March 1949.

"The leading Salome of the early post-war years was Ljuba Welitsch. A 1949 Metropolitan Opera broadcast with Fritz Reiner conducting shows the Bulgarian powerhouse at her short-lived peak – at once piercing and sensuous, able to tum on a dime from seductive lyricism to raw terror. Observe how she breaks down in sobs when Jochanaan refuses and curses her; one realises that adolescent hurt propels Salome's horrific deed. Reiner's orchestra plays with fire and finesse. You can hear the complete broadcast on a Guild issue, with a vibrant Gianni Schicchi to start: the Met devised odd bedfellows for Salome in this period, Pergolesi's La serva padrona being the oddest ... Geraldine Farrar said of this 1949 performance: 'It is many moons since any of us have thrilled to such a masterful combination of singing and acting.'"--Gramophone.

Cast

• Ljuba Welitsch = Salome
• Herbert Janssen = John the Baptist
• Frederick Jagel = Herod Antipas
• Kirsten Thorborg = Herodias

• Metropoltan Opera Orchestra (Fritz Reiner, conductor)