[Met Performance] CID:16050



Faust
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, January 10, 1896




Faust (94)
Charles Gounod | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Faust
Jean de Reszke

Marguerite
Nellie Melba

Méphistophélès
Edouard de Reszke

Valentin
Victor Maurel

Siebel
Sofia Scalchi

Marthe
Mathilde Bauermeister

Wagner
Lodovico Viviani


Conductor
Enrico Bevignani







Review 1:

Review of W. J. Henderson in The New York Times

Another Large Audience Cheers Melba, the De Reszke Brothers and Maurel at the Metropolitan Opera House

With Melba, Jean and Edouard de Reszke, Maurel, Bauermeister and Scalchi in the cast, it was a foregone conclusion that "Faust" would draw an immense audience last night in the Metropolitan Opera House. The performance was of such excellence as to fully merit the lavish bestowal of favors by the auditors, although the enthusiasm was held in reserve until the Garden Scene. But from that time on the usual tumult following Melba's arias and those of Jean Reszke held sway and, amid a volley of flowers and plaudits, Melba and the De Reszke brothers were called before the curtain repeatedly.

Melba not only sang charmingly, but she looked beautiful. She wore a gown recently imported from Paris.?It captivated the ladies at first sight. The heavy brocaded velvet bodice and the accordion-plaited skirt of the same color were pronounced by her female admirer " a perfect symphony in orange."

Jean de Reszke's Faust is too renowned for its excellence to require more than the statement that he was in good voice and that his vocal and dramatic efforts were of the very highest artistic order. That such a Faust and Marguerite should enrapture an audience of the highest musical intelligence is obvious, for nowhere else, than at the Metropolitan Opera House, can such a pair in these roles he found at the present time.

Edouard de Reszke was also in excellent form, and Maurel has not been in such good voice for some time. The death scene was so effective that it brought four curtain calls. The result was a magnificent performance in all particulars. and the grand climax in the last act was received with cheers. Scalchi did creditable work and deserved the abundant plaudits with which she was rewarded. Orchestra and chorus were both fine throughout.

At the matinee to-day Calve will be heard in " The Pearl Fishers " for the first time, in connection with her impersonation of the girl of Navarre, in Massenet's " La Navarraise." "Aida." with Nordica in the titular role, will be presented to-night.



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