Metropolitan Opera Archives

Cornelius's merry little opera "The Barber of Bagdad" and the nondescript ballet "Dresden China" were the attractions at the Metropolitan Conversation House [sic] last night. The performance of the opera was exceedingly uncertain, owing to the fact that for some inexplicable reason the tenor, Dippel, seemed to have forgotten his part. It may be, however, that he was showing the result of the uncommon strain to which his memory has been put this season; for he has sung only two or three parts which were not new to him. No excuse can be offered, though, for his singing so dreadfully out of tune in the shaving duet.

Fisher repeated his delightful interpretation of the Barber. He was in tolerably good voice, and sang excellently, even in the long and troublesome cadenza, during which he was plainly disconcerted by the desperate attempts of the audience to check the dazzling flow of conversation from the now famous "chatterbox." Owing to the sudden illness of Charlotte Huhn, Marie Ritter-Götze sang the role of Bostana on short notice. Under the circumstances her little shortcomings must be overlooked. The ballet, as usual, delighted that part of the audience which likes to look rather than listen. At the matinee today, "Die Walküre" will be given.

Search by season: 1890-91

Search by title: Der Barbier von Bagdad, Dresden China,

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