Metropolitan Opera Archives

Cavalleria Rusticana received four performances this season.
Pagliacci received six performances this season.

Review 1:

Review of W. J. Henderson in the Sun

An immense audience thronged the auditorium of the Metropolitan Opera House last evening when the double-bill "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" was given for the first time this season. Mr. Caruso appeared as Canio in the Leoncavallo work, a part in which he was last heard here at his final performance on the eve of his departure in February to sing in Monte Carlo.

It is deservedly the great tenor's most popular role as in it he is usually in all respects at his best. Last night the familiar conditions of enthusiasm prevailed during the performance. Vigorous demonstrations of special delight were shown as Mr. Caruso came onto the stage with his bass drum and his delivery of "Ridi, Pagliaccio," was received with an outburst of applause. His beautiful voice was again in far better condition than at the [beginning] of the season and he impersonated his part with his accustomed power.

In "Pagliacci" Mr. Caruso's chief assistants were Mme. Cajatti as Nedda, who sang the part for the first time here, and Mr. Amato as Tonio. Mme. Cajatti's singing was hardly satisfactory, as her voice was unsteady and her lapses from the pitch very frequent. Mr. Amato's Tonio was on its familiar lines of excellence.

Three of the singers in Mascagni's "Cavallerla Rusticana" were heard in their parts for the first time here. Mme. Zarska was to have sung Santuzza, but being still Indisposed her place was taken by Mme. Matzenauer, who on the whole impersonated the role admirably. Some of the music is high for her voice, but most of it she sang well and she acted with fine dramatic feeling. Flora Perini, a new mezzo soprano, made her first appearance in the small part of Lola. In what little she had to do she was able to disclose a voice of fine quality, though nervousness seemed to affect in part her use of it. Mr. Botta again impersonated Turiddu with much credit. Mr. de Luca took the part of Alfio and proved to be excellent both in singing and action. Mr. Bavagnoli conducted the entire performance.

Search by season: 1915-16

Search by title: Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci,

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