The Taming of the Shrew
Opera in four acts; libretto adapted by Victor Widmann from Shakespeare’s comedy. Music by Herman Goetz.
Characters
| Baptista | Otto Goritz |
| Katharina | Margarete Ober |
| Bianca | Marie Rappold |
| Hortensio | Robert Leonhardt |
| Lucentio | Johannes Sembach |
| Petruchio | Clarence Whitehill |
| Grumio | Basil Ruysdael |
| A Tailor | Albert Reiss |
| Major Domo | Max Bloch |
| Housekeeper | Marie Mattfeld |
This opera was produced at the Metropolitan Opera House in commemoration of Shakespeare in 1916. It was first sung in Mannheim in 1874, when it was known as “Die Widerspenstigen Zachmung.” Mr. Bodanzky came to conduct at the Metropolitan Opera House, from that city, and the New York performance was perhaps the result of a suggestion made by him. Widmann in his libretto brings into prominence the wooing of Bianca by rival suitors. This is done to give relief to Petruchio’s blustering and to the exhibitions of temper by the Shrew. The librettist also provides his own introduction which includes the rival suitors, a chorus of angry servants, interested women on the balcony, and Petruchio’s entrance. The second act represents Petruchio’s tempestuous wooing. In the third Bianca is courted by Lucentio as a tutor and Hortensio as a musician. The wedding party returns and Petruchio makes his hasty exit bearing his sulky bride. Servants and wedding guests provide an opportunity for chorus music. The tailor is introduced and Katharina is finally tamed.