Dangerous Melodies by Jonathan Rosenberg

Author:Jonathan Rosenberg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epub3
ISBN: 9780393608434
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 2019-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

Rudolf Bing

Over the course of many months, people sent several hundred letters to Bing. Reading through them today leaves one sobered by the impact Flagstad’s impending return had on people from all walks of life, some devoted to opera and some who could not have distinguished Wagner from Verdi. The capacity of classical music to rouse the emotions of the public is palpable in this decades-old correspondence, which now rests in the Met’s archive.181 Of those who wrote to Bing, a minority were appreciative and wished to thank him for bringing Flagstad back to the Met. One New York couple, who described themselves as “lovers of all that is best in music and art,” wrote in April 1950, “We believe that nothing—neither political nor nationalistic prejudice should interfere with the production of what is best in opera. The wonderful singing of Mme. Flagstad is a fine first step.” As was his habit, Bing penned a respectful response, thanking them and explaining his decision. In his standard reply, he spoke of the Met’s obligation to present “the best talent available.” Beyond that, he said, the company had “a duty not to take any action that may offend the public concept of human rights.” The Met had waited for “several years after the war,” inquired carefully into Flagstad’s activities, and found “no evidence that she was disloyal to this, or her own country, or that she participated in, or supported Nazism.” Since the end of the war, Bing told many who wrote to him, Flagstad had sung, “without incident, in countries which were our Allies, and which suffered from Nazi attacks.” She had also performed across America. He was convinced that Met audiences should have the chance to experience her superb artistry.182

Another supporter, writing to Bing from Indianapolis, enclosed a letter she had penned to the Indianapolis Star arguing that Flagstad had been attacked unfairly. She wanted Bing to know that she backed his decision, telling him she was grateful “you have the courage of your convictions, which may seem a trite remark; but it is an old truth.” In response, Bing expressed gratitude for such sentiments, which go “a long way in encouraging me to believe that I am on the right track.”183

But if Bing had his supporters, the correspondence reveals a larger number who opposed him, often brutally. The viciousness of some of the letters toward both Bing and Flagstad is, at times, jaw-dropping. “Be sure to have a big supply of swastikas on hand and completely displayed . . . when Kirkstink Flagstad” appears next season, wrote one correspondent, who signed the missive “An American Citizen.” A telegram to Bing sneeringly congratulated him for signing Flagstad, “the Queen of song who could sing (as she did) AGAINST THE AGONIZED MOANS OF THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS; THE CRIES OF THE STARVING CHILDREN AND THE DEATH SCREAMS IN THE NAZI GAS CHAMBERS.” After quoting from a particularly nasty Walter Winchell column, this unnamed writer concluded: “SHAME ON YOU MR. BING. SHAME ON THE METROPOLITAN OPERA.

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