[Met Performance] CID:59800



Iris
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, April 9, 1915




Iris (10)
Pietro Mascagni | Luigi Illica
Iris
Lucrezia Bori

Osaka
Luca Botta

Kyoto
Antonio Scotti

Blind Man
Adamo Didur

Geisha
Raymonde Delaunois

Merchant
Pietro Audisio

Ragpicker
Angelo Badà

Undesignated role
Vincenzo Reschiglian


Conductor
Arturo Toscanini







Review 1:

Review of W. J. Henderson in the Sun

The Friday evening subscribers at the Metropolitan Opera House had their opportunity last night to hear Mascagni's "Iris" and to witness Lucrezia Bori's charming impersonation of the title role. The opera was received with abundant applause, just as a contortion act or a speech on prohibition or a moving picture of the California exposition might be. Applause is always made a subject of newspaper record because so many people are of the opinion that the clapping of their hands moves the world. But universality does not necessarily signify preciousness.

Learned comment is sometimes made on the great difference between the style of "Iris" and "Cavalleria Rusticana"; but those who have passed some time in Sicily and kept their ears open are not greatly moved by this comment. Some of them even go so far as to say that they have heard most of the tunes in "Cavalleria" in Sicily, whereas it is perfectly obvious that Mascagni invented most of those in "Iris" and did not even take the trouble to consult a volume of Japanese music.

"Iris" is a pleasing opera, not great in musical content and narrow in style, but sufficient to furnish an evening of interest to those who do not expect highly serious artistic proclamations from a lyric drama. The present season's production of the work at the Metropolitan is one of much excellence. Occasion has already been taken to comment on the new life which Mr. Toscanini's interpretative skill has put into the work and a brief comment was made on Miss Bori's exquisite impersonation of the little Japanese girl.

This is indeed a creation of singular charm and of delicate musical beauty. The singer imparts to the role the full measure of innocence and delineates the fragile spirit with a gentleness and a certainty quite admirable. The wonder of the child at the strange world into which she is thrust and her tender grief in the final hour of tragedy are eloquently portrayed. Miss Bori sings the music very beautifully, especially the important scene of the second act. Her Iris will add to her credit as an artist.

Mr. Botta is very successful in his disguise as a gentleman of Japan, and his Osaka is sufficiently good to meet the requirements of most of the situations. Mr. Scotti, whose fortunes have of late carried him into the darker haunts of the yellow perils, is admirable as Kyoto, and Mr. Didur makes a rugged figure of the father. Altogether "Iris" has been revived adequately; but the opera itself seems at critical moments to possess theatrical effectiveness rather than inspiration.



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