This program comes from the long-ago time - 1949 - when the greatest stars of opera gathered to raise funds and awareness of the Salvation Army at Christmastime.
On this one-hour special, taken from a mint copy of the 16-inch transcription disc, some of the greatest voices of the 20th century are heard in both seasonal fare and operatic material - Lawrence Tibbett, Kirsten Flagstad, Set Svanholm, Licia Albanese and Jussi Björling among them.
This special program was a gift to the blog from Ernie Haynes, the Christmas music maestro, who as usual is making merry on his blog Ernie, Not Bert. Today he is featuring a great number of other records in the Salvation Army Christmas series, but he sent this one to me to transfer because my equipment can handle the old, oversize transcription discs.
Thanks, Ernie! It's a fascinating show in remarkably good sound that gathered the stars in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco for the occasion. Here is a rundown of the proceedings.
| Lawrence Tibbett |
After an introduction by the busy radio announcer Jimmy Wallington, the popular baritone Lawrence Tibbett (1896-1960) is heard in "Adeste Fideles." At the time, Tibbett had been with the Metropolitan Opera for 26 years, along with making appearances on radio and in films. Tibbett's grandmother was a Major in the Salvation Army, and his first public performance was as a youngster at a Army meeting in Bakersfield, CA.
| Kirsten Flagstad |
The supreme Wagnerian soprano Kirsten Flagstad (1895-1962) presents "Elsa's Dream" from Lohengrin. She is accompanied by the San Francisco Opera Orchestra under the company's director, Gaetano Merola. In 1949 the Norwegian singer appeared both at the Met and in San Francisco.
| Jean Hersholt as Dr. Christian |
In 1949, the Danish-American actor Jean Hersholt (1886-1956) was completing his twelfth year in the title role of the radio drama Dr. Christian, which would continue for five more years. He presents the story of the Nativity as related in the Gospel of St. Luke.
| Winifred Heidt |
Contralto Winifred Heidt (1906-90) had a varied career that took her from the Met to Broadway. That season she was appearing with the new NBC Television Opera Company. She presents a lovely version of "Silent Night" with organ.
| Set Svanholm |
Another eminent Wagnerian was the Swedish tenor Set Svanholm (1904-64), who at the time was in demand at the Met, the Vienna State Opera and Covent Garden. He presents the "Song to the Evening Star" from Tannhäuser. Gaetano Merola again conducts his San Francisco forces.
| Licia Albanese and Jussi Björling |
Following a message from Commissioner Ernest I. Pugmire of the Salvation Army, the program concludes with "O soave fanciulla" from Puccini's La bohème, a scene which is of course set on Christmas Eve. The operatic lovers are two great stars who often appeared together - Italian-American soprano Licia Albanese (1909-2014) as Mimi and Swedish tenor Jussi Björling (1911-60) as Rodolfo. The San Francisco Opera Orchestra is led by Karl Kritz, director of the Fort Worth Opera Company and staff conductor in San Francisco.
The "Army of Stars" series of programs lasted from the 1930s through the 1990s, bringing together some of entertainment’s brightest stars in support of the Salvation Army’s mission. The copy of the 1949 program that I transferred was broadcast in December of that year by WDHL in Bradenton, FL and WSPB in Sarasota, FL, as noted on the label.
Thanks again to Ernie for his generous contribution!