The American premiere of "Das Rheingold" was given by the New York Metropolitan Opera in January 1889, as a single opera, with Seidl conducting. The production used Carl Emil Doepler's original Bayreuth costume designs, and scenery was imported from Germany. According to "The New York Times", "he scenery, costumes and effects were all designed and executed with great art and caused admirable results." Of particular note was the performance of Joseph Beck who sang Alberich: "a fine example of Wagnerian declamatory singing, His delivery of the famous curse of the ring was notably excellent in its distinctness and dramatic force". On 4 March 1889, with largely the January cast, Seidl conducted "Das Rheingold" to begin the first American "Ring" cycle. Thereafter, "Das Rheingold", either alone or as part of the "Ring", became a regular feature of the international opera repertory, being seen in St Petersburg (1889), Paris (1901), Buenos Aires (1910), Melbourne (1913), and Rio de Janeiro (1921), as well many other major venues.