"When principal horn player Andrew Bain took a solo bow, huge roars came from what were obviously horn players in the audience."

But overall, this was a most promising performance, and the audience erupted when Mr. Botha took his solo bow.

When he took his solo bow at the end of the performance, the audience roared in appreciation.

Admirably breaking with recital protocol, Mr. Terfel allowed his accompanist a well-deserved solo bow.

To the Editor: Eric Wyrick, concertmaster of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, takes a solo bow and puzzles over the reason.

Not one has been significant enough to earn him the ultimate symbol of arrival at the Met: a solo bow before the curtain.

Lewis turns up with an equally exquisite solo bow.

With the orchestra seated, he comes out for a solo bow before the conductor.

And as the audience applauded after the performance, Mr. Salonen gave him a solo bow.

There was also a poignant moment when Stephanie Saland, a principal whose performances have been colored by beauty and feminine grace, took a solo bow.