Oberon's Glade

Tag: Julius Rudel

  • Patricia Brooks as Mélisande

    Brooks 2

    Above: Patricia Brooks

    One of my dearest memories from my early opera-going experiences is of my first PELLEAS ET MELISANDE, in a lovely production at New York City Opera in 1970. Debussy’s haunting score moved me, even though it was not always easy to comprehend. And the poetry of the words conveyed a sense of mystery; since I had studied French in high-school (with a native-born Frenchwoman as my teacher) it was engrossing to listen to the language being sung.

    One of the most memorable portrayals in the superb cast was that of the mysterious, fragile Mélisande by Patricia Brooks. Apart from her iconic Violetta, Mélisande was the Brooks role that I recall most vividly. I was so excited to find this recording on YouTube.

    Read more about this soprano here.

    Julius Rudel is the conductor, with the following cast:

    Arkel – Malcolm Smith; Geneviève – Francis Bible; Golaud – Louis Quilico; Pelléas – André Jobin; Mélisande – Patricia Brooks; Yniold – Robert Puleo; Physician – Don Yule; Shepherd – William Ledbetter

    The above names may be largely forgotten by now, some 55 years on. To me they were remarkable artists who played a part in my abiding passion for opera.

    If you are not familiar with the Brooks voice, this will give you an idea of her unique qualities as a singer:

    Patricia Brooks as Violetta – w Molese – NYCO – 9~28~69

     

  • FLIEGENDE HOLLANDER ~ NYCO 1977

    Sarabia

    Above: Guillermo Sarabia as the Dutchman

    Audio-only performance of Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer performed at The New York City Opera in 1977, conducted by Julius Rudel, with the following cast:

    Holländer – Guillermo Sarabia
    Senta – Johanna Meier
    Daland – Ara Berberian
    Erik – Richard Taylor
    Mary – Diane Curry
    Steuermann – Jerold Siena

    Listen here.

    Ms. Meier, Ms. Curry, and Mr. Berberian were all great favorites of mine, and I saw Mr. Sarabia’s Dutchman twice: once in Houston and later in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Siena sings the Steersman beautifully.