Metropolitan Opera Archives

The performance of Meyerbeer's "Huguenots" at the Metropolitan Opera House last evening was not as brilliant as might have been expected from the cast. The appearance of the ever-welcome Lilll Lehmann as Valentine atoned, in a measure, for some of the shortcomings of the night, but it was hardly enough to atone for some of them. Frau Lehmann has never been heard in the rôle before before. It is hardly necessary to say that her assumption of the rôle was successful. A noble voice, a dignity of bearing, and a broad dramatic method form a combination that could hardly result in failure, and all of these Fran Lehmann possesses. She was warmly applauded for her work and has added another to her long list of triumphs here.

Fräulein Föhström was again the Marguerite, making her last appearance this season. Her voice sounded sadly worn, and she was extremely uncertain in her execution at times. Herr Perotti was in poor voice and his singing was frequently very harsh. He partly redeemed himself by his energetic work in the final duet. Fräulein Kashowska, excepting that she began half a bar too soon in "Nobil Signor," sang Urban commendably. Herren Grinauer and Beck as de Nevers and St. Bris were tolerable. The chorus sang abominably in the early part of the opera, but improved later.

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Search by title: Les Huguenots,

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