[Met Performance] CID:12350



Carmen
Metropolitan Opera House, Mon, February 19, 1894




Carmen (33)
Georges Bizet | Henri Meilhac/Ludovic Halévy
Carmen
Emma Calvé

Don José
Fernando De Lucia

Micaela
Sigrid Arnoldson

Escamillo
Mario Ancona

Frasquita
Mathilde Bauermeister

Mercédès
Anita Ibles

Remendado
Antonio Rinaldini

Dancaïre
Agostino Carbone

Zuniga
Lodovico Viviani

Moralès
Victor De Gromzeski

Dance
Miss Santori


Conductor
Enrico Bevignani







Review 1:

Review in The New York Times

"Carmen" for the Twelfth Time.

Bizet's "Carmen" was performed for the twelfth time this season at the Metropolitan Opera House last night before a small audience. That was because "Carmen" was what some persons call an unexpected pleasure. Massenet's "Werther" was to have been produced for the first time in America, but Mme. Emma Eames was incapacitated yesterday morning by a very severe case of laryngitis, and so the opera had to be postponed. All kinds of rumors were flying as to the condition of the favorite soprano. It was even reported that she had ruptured a vocal chord. The fact, however, seems to be that she has strained her vocal chords by overwork in rehearsing. It is doubtful whether she will be well enough to sing on Saturday afternoon. As for "Werther," that will not be heard here until the supplementary season in April.

The size of the audience last night raised the question whether it was worth while for the managers to prepare a novelty. To be sure, about 300 persons went away on finding that the evening's programme was changed, but most of them went because

Jean de Reszke did not sing. But if these 300 had been present, and 200 had been added, the house would still have been a small one for "Carmen." It cannot be doubted that if the Bizet work had been announced two days ago the house would have been far larger than it would have been for "Werther." Various inferences might be drawn from this state of affairs; but, perhaps, it will be as well to let them go.

The cast last night included Signor de Lucia as Don José, Mme. Arnoldson as Mlcaela, and Signor Ancona as EscamIllo. Mme. Calvé was, of course, the Carmen. Her performance maintains its general merit. It must be said, however, that she indulges too much in talking. There is a place for that, but it is not on the operatic stage. Tomorrow evening "Les Huguenots" will be sung.



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