The Operatic PastCast

Alfred Hubay was a 20-year-old usher for the Metropolitan Opera during the season of 1945-1946. His experiences included the Carmen of Rise Stevens, 3 notable debuts, an unusual double-bill, Lauritz Melchior's 20th anniversary, a benefit for the Italian War Relief and Bruno Landi (Part 1 of 2).

In this episode, collector David Hausman talks about his first operatic experiences focusing primarily on his favorite diva, Zinka Milanov. He also speaks of Fedora Barbieri, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Mario del Monaco and Leonard Warren - all in words of passion and love.

Collector and lecturer Joe Pearce talks about his introduction to music, singing and opera beginning at the age of 7. Like many people, going to the movies provided this introduction.

Alfred Hubay was a 20-year-old usher for the Metropolitan Opera during the season of 1945-1946. His experiences included 3 important debuts, the return of Jussi Bjørling, a fond remembrance of Stella Roman and the return of Madama Butterfly

Elisabeth Carron is an American soprano of Italian descent (Elisabetta Caradonna) who developed her career without the aid of a manager and agent. He achieved great success at the New York City Opera, but when the times came to choose fame or family, she chose the latter. Here she talks about her life from the age of 4 (Part 1 of 2).

Author, painter and collectorHarold Bruder talks about a six year period beginning in 1947 with hearing for the first time Giuseppe di Stefano, Marilyn Cotlow in her debut, Ferrucio Tagliavini, Zinka Milanov, Gladys Swarthout, Tito Schipa, Erna Berger, Hilde Güden, Mario del Monaco, Gino Penno and a multi-faceted comparison of Leonard Warren and Robert Merrill

Alfred Hubay remembers his experiences as a 19-year-old usher during the 1944-1945 season of the Metropolitan Opera, including the Opera Auditions of the Air, experiencing a tenor from the past, the return of Meistersinger, Jennie Tourel, a Ring production from the turn of the century and 2 stalwart Americans. (Part 2 of 2).

In this episode, author and collector Charles Mintzer talks about a new production of Don Giovanni with Margaret Harshaw, Lisa della Casa, Roberta Peters, Cesare Valletti and George London, Rigoletto with Hilde Güden and Robert Merrill, La traviata with Richard Tucker and Licia Albanese, Pelléas et Mélisande with Theodor Uppman and Victoria de los Angeles, a “ruckus” about Trovatore curtain calls, Le nozze di Figaro with Lisa della Casa, Irmgaard Seefried, Faust with Eugene Conley and Victoria de los Angeles and Carmen with Lucine Amara graduating from Frasquita to the role of Micaela

Soprano Lucine Amara talks about her first roles such as The First Lady in The Magic Flute and delaying taking on the role of Pamina and Wellgude in Das Rheingold.

Alfred Hubay remembers his experiences as a 19-year-old usher during the 1944-1945 season of the Metropolitan Opera, including a frightened conductor, the farewell of a beloved artist, two great Isoldes, the debuts of 3 Americans and two forgotten singers. (Part 1 of 2).

Here is an interview with Salvatore Baccaloni dating from December 17, 1958. He talks about his days as a boy soprano, his early career, Feodor Chaliapin and the role of Leporello.

Harold Bruder is a well-known painter who was the Chairman of the Art Department at Queens College, where he taught for 30 years. He has written and lectured and written extensively on singers and singing. Here, he describes his introduction to singing and opera, including his studies with Vera Schwarz and his first experiences at the Metropolitan Opera.

Alfred Hubay continues his account of his first season, 1943-1944, as an usher for the Metropolitan Opera (Part 2 of 2).

Charles Mintzer started going to the Met in 1952, and has been a frequent opera-goer ever since then. His particular interests are as an historian of operatic performance and has written the well-regarded biography "ROSA RAISA, A Biography of a Diva". In this, his first episode, he speaks of his introduction and exposure to opera.

In 1945, a soprano from California began five years of training and became a leading soprano of the Metropolitan Opera for 41 years. Here is Lucine Amara recounting those first five years. Apologies in advance for the sound quality of the excerpt.