Le Nozze di Figaro of April 1956 Is Dec. 30, 2023, Saturday Broadcast

Summary: Le Nozze di Figaro aired April 7, 1956, airs as the Dec. 30, 2023, Saturday broadcast for the centenaries of Cesare Siepi and Victoria de los Angeles.

Catalan Spanish operatic lyric soprano Victoria de los Angeles added Mozart's Countess Almaviva to her Met Opera portfolio Saturday, Nov. 17, 1951, as her fourth role at the opera company and made her second reprisal in the 1955-1956 season: Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles, via Facebook March 17, 2016

Met Opera's April 7, 1956, broadcast of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro airs at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time as the Dec. 30, 2023, Met Opera Saturday matinee radio broadcast to honor the centenaries of Cesare Siepi and Victoria de los Angeles.

The Metropolitan Opera's presentation of Le Nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Jan. 27, 1756-Dec. 5, 1791) in the opera company's 1955-1956 season celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Classical Era composer's birth. In the 1955-1956 season, Le Nozze di Figaro received nine performances. Mozart's Figaro opera opened Friday, Jan. 2, 1956, "exactly on the 200th anniversary of Mozart's birth," as noted by Hungarian-American musicologist and music critic Paul Henry Lang's (Aug. 28, 1901-Sep. 21, 1991) review, published in The New York Herald Tribune and reprinted in the Metropolitan Opera Archive Database (MetOpera Database).

The first through sixth Figaro performances in the 1955-1956 season were held at The Metropolitan Opera House, located at 1411 Broadway in Midtown Manhattan's Garment District. The second through sixth performances of the commedia per musica ("comedy through music") took place Saturday, Feb. 4; Monday, Feb. 13; Thursday, March 1; Wednesday, March 28; and Saturday matinee, April 7. The sixth performance also aired as the 1955-1956 season's Saturday matinee radio broadcast.

The seventh through ninth, closing performances were offered during the opera company's 1955-1956 Tour. The opera's seventh performance took place Monday, April 30, at Loew's Capitol Theatre in Washington DC. The eighth performance occurred Monday, May 7, at the Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama.The ninth, closing performance was held Tuesday, May 15, at Music Hall in Houston, Texas.

Max Rudolf (June 15, 1902-Feb. 28, 1995) conducted all nine performances, including the April 7 Saturday matinee broadcast, in the 1955-1956 season. The German maestro had made his Met Opera debut Saturday, March 2, 1946, in the opera company's 104th performance of Der Rosenkavalier by German late Romantic and early modern composer Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864-Sep. 8, 1949). He had made his first appearance at Met Opera Sunday, Jan. 13, 1946, in a Gala Program.

The staging of the 1955-1956 season's presentation of Le Nozze di Figaro was under the directorship of Herbert Graf (April 10, 1903-April 5, 1973). The Austrian-American opera producer had debuted his new production of Le Nozze di Figaro Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1940, in the 1939-1940 season. The 1955-1956 season marked the 12th revival of Graf's Figaro production.

Cesare Siepi sang the title role of Figaro in the fourth through sixth performances of the anniversary presentation. The Milanese operatic basso cantante ("singing bass") had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 6, 1950, as Philip II in the opera company's 15th performance of Don Carlo by 19th-century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Cesare Siepi's appearances in the 1955-1956 season marked his third reprisal of Mozart's Figaro. He had added the role in the 1951-1952 season as the fifth role in his Met Opera portfolio.

Victoria de los Angeles appeared in the anniversary presentation's first through third and sixth performances as Countess Almaviva, whose maid, Susanna, is Figaro's fiancée. The Catalan Spanish operatic lyric soprano had made her Met Opera debut Saturday, March 17, 1951, as Marguerite in the opera company's 492nd performance of Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Victoria de los Angeles made her second reprisal of Countess Almaviva in the 1955-1956 season. She had added the Mozartian Countess to her Met Opera portfolio as her fourth role at the opera company in the 1951-1952 season.

Her appearance in the sixth performance, which also aired as a Saturday matinee radio broadcast, numbered as the only overlap between Victoria de los Angeles and Cesare Siepi in the anniversary performances. She had overlapped previously in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Milanese operatic bass in six of her seven performances as Countess Almaviva in the 1951-1952 season.

Le Nozze di Figaro numbered as the third of four operas that Cesare Siepi and Victoria de los Angeles shared at the Metropolitan Opera. They had both added the opera to their Met Opera portfolios in the 1951-1952 season. Their first overlap had occurred in Gounod's Faust in the 1950-1951 season. They also added La Bohème by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924) as their second shared opera at Met Opera in the 1950-1951 season. In the 1953-1954 season Il Barbiere di Siviglia by 19th-century Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (Feb. 29, 1792-Nov. 13, 1868) became their fourth shared opera.

Verdi's Nabucco airs Jan. 16 as the 2023-2024 season's fifth Saturday matinee radio broadcast. Met Opera's sixth revival of Australian opera director Elijah Moshinsky's 2000-2001 new production airs at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Milanese operatic basso cantante Cesare Siepi shared with Catalan Spanish operatic lyric soprano Victoria de los Angeles Saturday, Nov. 17, 1951, as the date of their additions of Mozartian roles of Figaro and Countess Almaviva, respectively, to their Met Opera portfolios; Figaro numbered as Cesare Siepi's fifth role at Met Opera while the Countess added a fourth role for Victoria de los Angeles at the opera company; their one shared performance, on Saturday, April 7, 1956, in the 1955-1956 season marked their second season of overlapping in Le Nozze di Figaro: undated image of Cesare Siepi as Figaro at Met Opera: Bibi Leonetto Tistarelli, via Facebook July 31, 2022

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Dedication

This post is dedicated to the memory of our beloved blue-eyed brother, Charles, who guided the creation of the Met Opera and Astronomy posts on Earth and Space News. We memorialized our brother in "Our Beloved Blue-Eyed Brother, Charles, With Whom We Are Well Pleased," published on Earth and Space News on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, an anniversary of our beloved father's death.

Image credits:

Catalan Spanish operatic lyric soprano Victoria de los Angeles added Mozart's Countess Almaviva to her Met Opera portfolio Saturday, Nov. 17, 1951, as her fourth role at the opera company and made her second reprisal in the 1955-1956 season: Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles, via Facebook March 17, 2016, @ https://www.facebook.com/fundvda/posts/10154048950172072/

Milanese operatic basso cantante Cesare Siepi shared with Catalan Spanish operatic lyric soprano Victoria de los Angeles Saturday, Nov. 17, 1951, as the date of their additions of Mozartian roles of Figaro and Countess Almaviva, respectively, to their Met Opera portfolios; Figaro numbered as Cesare Siepi's fifth role at Met Opera while the Countess added a fourth role for Victoria de los Angeles at the opera company; their one shared performance, on Saturday, April 7, 1956, in the 1955-1956 season marked their second season of overlapping in Le Nozze di Figaro: undated image of Cesare Siepi as Figaro at Met Opera: Bibi Leonetto Tistarelli, via Facebook July 31, 2022, @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/50560753439/posts/10159225072018440/

For further information:

Bibi Leonetto Tistarelli. "Le Nozze di Figaro." Facebook. 31 luglio 2022.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/50560753439/posts/10159225072013440/

Bibi Leonetto Tistarelli. "Le Nozze di Figaro." Facebook. March 27, 2023.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/50560753439/posts/10159740550003440/
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2432577400240848&set=pcb.2432578193574102
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2432577400240848&set=a.107509746080970

Clark, Peter. "From the Archives: Le Nozze di Figaro at the Met." The Metropolitan Opera > Discover > From the Archives.
Available @ https://www.metopera.org/discover/archives/notes-from-the-archives/from-the-archives-le-nozze-di-figaro-at-the-met/

"Debut: Cyril Ritchard." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 164950 New Production Il Barbiere di Siviglia Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, February 19, 1954. Debut: Cyril Ritchard. Il Barbiere di Siviglia (243) Gioachino Rossini / Cesare Sterbini.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0370316

"Debut: Delia Rigal, Fedora Barbieri, Cesare Siepi, Lucine Amara, Margaret Webster, Rolf Gérard." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 155000 Opening Night {66}, New Production, General Manager: Rudolf Bing. Don Carlo Metropolitan Opera House, Mon, November 6, 1950 Telecast. Debut: Delia Rigal, Fedora Barbieri, Cesare Siepi, Lucine Amara, Margaret Webster, Rolf Gérard. In Italian. Don Carlo (15) Giuseppe Verdi / François Joseph Méry/Camille du Locle list Italian text as translators?
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0369588

"Debut: Elisabeth Söderström, Kim Borg, Oliver Messel." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 183030 New Production Le Nozze di Figaro Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, October 30, 1959. Debut: Elisabeth Söderström, Kim Borg, Oliver Messel. Le Nozze di Figaro (171) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / Lorenzo Da Ponte.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0371564

"Debut: Max Rudolf." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 141050 Der Rosenkavalier Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, March 2, 1946. Debut: Max Rudolf. Der Rosenkavalier (104) Richard Strauss / Hugo von Hofmannsthal.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0368717

"Debut: Victoria de los Angeles." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 156400 Faust Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, March 17, 1951. Debut: Victoria de los Angeles. Faust (492) Charles Gounod / Jules Barbier/Michel Carré.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0369728

Ezio Siepi. "Upon popular request, I am posting the English translation of my short discussion during my father’s centennial broadcast on Ameriaradio last February 10th. Thanks as always to all of you from the bottom of heart for all of your active participation and continuous recognition and appreciation of my father in this wonderful website! Best wishes, Ezio. A MEMORIAL FOR A MEMORABLE MAN. . . ." Facebook. Feb. 18, 2023.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/50560753439/posts/10159668380078440/

Ezio Siepi. "Volrrei regalarVi un’immagine di un dipinto splendido del Maestro Emilio Vitali che fece questo dipinto di mio padre nel 1956. E’ il nostro regalo a Voi in questa giornata che ci è venuto a mancare 12 anni fa. Grazie come sempre per il Vostro continuo affetto. A presto! I wanted to take the opportunity to show you an old portrait of my father painted by Maestro Emilio Vitali in 1956 in Erba near Como. We want to thank all of you for your continuous support in the memory of my father on the day of his passing 12 years ago. Best wishes to you all!!" Facebook. July 5, 2022.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/50560753439/posts/10159186611488440/

"First Appearance: Max Rudolf." MetOpera Database > [Met Concert or Gala] CID: 140530 Gala Program Metropolitan Opera House, Sun, January 13, 1946 Gala Program Metropolitan Opera House January 13, 1946.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0368665

fund_victoriadelosangeles. "The @metopera is dedicating tomorrow’s performance of ‘La Bohème’ to Victoria de los Ángeles in the exact date of her 100th anniversary. Victoria de los Ángeles made her debut at the Met in 1951 with ‘Faust’ and appeared there frequently portraying ‘Manon’, ‘Madama Butterfly’, ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’ or ‘La Traviata’, among many others. She did her farewell performance at the Met in 1961 with von Flotow’s ‘Martha’. Thank you so much for this lovely tribute on the occasion of the #Victoria100." Instagram. 31 octubre 2023.
Available via Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/p/CzD5RX2Ieta/

Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles. "Como Condesa en 'Le nozze di Figaro'. Un rol que cantó en numerosas ocasiones en The Metropolitan Opera." Facebook. March 17, 2016.
https://www.facebook.com/fundvda/photos/pb.100033576230827.-2207520000/10154048950172072/
https://www.facebook.com/fundvda/photos/a.264473682071/10154048950172072/
https://www.facebook.com/fundvda/posts/10154048950172072/

Fundación Victoria de los Ángeles. "Victoria de los Ángeles va debutar al Gran Teatre del Liceu #taldiacomavui fa 72 anys, amb 'Le nozze di Figaro' el 1945. Victoria de los Ángeles debutó en el Gran Teatre del Liceu #taldíacomohoy hace 72 años, con 'Le nozze di Figaro' en 1945. Victoria de los Ángeles made her Liceu debut #onthisday 72 years ago in 'Le Nozze di Figaro' in 1945." Facebook. Jan. 13, 2017.
https://www.facebook.com/fundvda/photos/pb.100033576230827.-2207520000/10154958786547072/
https://www.facebook.com/fundvda/photos/a.264473682071/10154958786547072/
https://www.facebook.com/fundvda/posts/10154958786547072/

Gran Teatro del Liceu. "Victoria de los Ángeles Centenary Gala Evening November 2023 Tuesday 7 19:30."
Available @ https://www.liceubarcelona.cat/en/temporada-2023-24/concerts-recitals/victoria-de-los-angeles-centenary-gala-evening

"Le Nozze di Figaro Sat, April 7, 1956 Matinee Broadcast." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 171490 Le Nozze di Figaro Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, April 7, 1956 Matinee Broadcast. Broadcast Matinee. Broadcast Le Nozze di Figaro (152) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / Lorenzo Da Ponte.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0369728

Manana Homeriki. Facebook. 8 maggio [May 8, 2023].
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/50560753439/posts/10159824702768440/

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/12/le-nozze-di-figaro-is-dec-23-2017-met.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/02/le-nozze-di-figaro-is-feb-22-2020-met.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Le Nozze di Figaro Is Met's April 9, 2022, Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, April 4, 2022.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2022/04/le-nozze-di-figaro-is-mets-april-9-2022.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-metropolitan-opera-performs-18.html

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"New Production: Le Nozze di Figaro." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 128090 New Production Le Nozze di Figaro Metropolitan Opera House, Tue, February 20, 1940. Debut: Vonn Irkust, Ladislas Czettel. Le Nozze di Figaro (55) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / Lorenzo Da Ponte.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0367668

"New Production: Le Nozze di Figaro." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 183030 New Production Le Nozze di Figaro Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, October 30, 1959. Debut: Elisabeth Söderström, Kim Borg, Oliver Messel. Le Nozze di Figaro (171) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / Lorenzo Da Ponte.
Available @ https://archives.metopera.org/MetOperaSearch/record.jsp?dockey=0371564

Rishoi, Niel. "Ace of bass: On February 10 of this year was the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great Italian basso Cesare Siepi. I found that this milestone was scarcely noted in the opera press." parterre box. Oct. 11, 2023.
Available via parterre box @ https://parterre.com/2023/10/11/ace-of-bass/

Salazar, David. "Artist Profile: Victoria de Los Angeles, Spain’s Great Soprano." OperaWire. Nov. 1, 2018.
Available @ https://operawire.com/artist-profile-victoria-de-los-angeles-spains-great-soprano/

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Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/50560753439/posts/10159676157508440/

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