[Met Performance] CID:65150

Metropolitan Opera Premiere, New Production

Thaïs
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, February 16, 1917




Thaïs (1)
Jules Massenet | Louis Gallet
Thaïs
Geraldine Farrar

Athanaël
Pasquale Amato

Nicias
Luca Botta

Palémon
Léon Rothier

Crobyle
Mabel Garrison

Myrtale
Raymonde Delaunois

Albine
Kathleen Howard

Servant
Bernard Bégué

Dance
Rosina Galli

Dance
Giuseppe Bonfiglio


Conductor
Giorgio Polacco


Director
Jules Speck

Set Designer
Pieretto Bianco





Thaïs received six performances this season.

Review 1:

Review in the Brooklyn Eagle

GERALDINE FARRAR'S THAIS

Geraldine Farrar, not content with her many triumphs, came to the Metropolitan Opera House, last evening, to give her first interpretation of Thais in the first production of Massenet's "Thais" at that house. Hers was not a performance that had mystic and Oriental atmosphere. The character of the Alexandria courtesan was indicated rather than fully expressed. in her first meeting with the monk, Athanael (Mr. Amato), she sought to win him to her by cunning wiles and gestures, but the end of the?act gave little strength to her efforts. It was in the scene in her apartment, where she is brought by Athanael to a realizing sense of sin that she portrayed

agony in separating from the pleasures of life. It was a long passage, well sustained, ending with hysterical laughter. It was there that the audience was stirred deeply.

Miss Farrar was not in especially good voice at first, but toward the last act and in that act, where Athanael seeks her on her couch where she is about to die, she sang with real beauty of tone and expression. "Thais" is not an opera that requires so much vocal effort as almost any other in which she appears, and in that respect Miss Farrar was at a disadvantage. Her presentation of Thais was not particularly plastic, but she will probably improve in future, since this was a first trial of Thais by her. There were very many recalls.

Mr. Amato was admirable as Athanael, acting with sincerity, alternating domineering attitude toward Thais with moments of tenderness. His voice, more suave than usual, was well suited to the role. Mr. Botta. as Nicias, sang finely. Polacco conducted with skill. The new scenery had liveliness of color and the ballet, with Rosina Galli and Bonfiglio, brought sprightliness.



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