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La Forza del Destino
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, November 28, 1918
La Forza del Destino (2)
Giuseppe Verdi | Francesco Maria Piave
- Leonora
- Rosa Ponselle
- Don Alvaro
- Enrico Caruso
- Don Carlo
- Giuseppe De Luca
- Padre Guardiano
- José Mardones
- Preziosilla
- Alice Gentle
- Fra Melitone
- Thomas Chalmers
- Marquis de Calatrava
- Giulio Rossi
- Curra
- Marie Mattfeld
- Mayor
- Paolo Ananian
- Trabuco
- Giordano Paltrinieri
- Surgeon
- Vincenzo Reschiglian
- Dance
- Rosina Galli
- Dance
- Giuseppe Bonfiglio
- Conductor
- Gennaro Papi
Review 1:
Review of Max Smith in the American:
Another hearing of Rosa Ponselle as Leonora in "La Forza del Destino" tended to encourage the belief that this young woman, whose star rose so suddenly from the horizon of vaudeville into the operatic firmament, is in reality a mezzo-soprano with voice artificially elevated to an altitude somewhat above its normal range.
Nature has provided her with excellent material. But despite the power and expansiveness of her vocal organ the strain of sustaining a high tessitura is distinctly to be observed in her emission. Her high tones, which she frequently approaches with a scoop, become pinched when she attempts to reduce them to a mezzo-voce, and in full-throated utterance they often assume a hardness of timbre very different from the mellow vibrancy of her low tones. They are inclined, moreover, under pressure, to overtop the correct pitch.
Taking everything into consideration, Mr, Gatti-Casazza's new prima donna sang surprisingly well last night. One marveled again at her poise and assurance. But her singing in such an exacting aria, for example, as the "Madre, Pietosa Vergine" - can hardly be described as finished. It was potent, it was persuasive; it had the vigor and the strength of youth. But it had crudities that not every one in the auditorium could overlook
A singer who made a far more favorable impression than at the premiere was Alice Gentle, the Preziosilla. Her voice still lacked firmness. But it had body and resonance. Evidently Mme. Gentle was in better form than before. She not only acted with vivacity, but sang with charm.
Search by season: 1918-19
Search by title: La Forza del Destino,
Met careers
- Gennaro Papi [Conductor]
- Rosa Ponselle [Leonora]
- Enrico Caruso [Don Alvaro]
- Giuseppe De Luca [Don Carlo]
- José Mardones [Padre Guardiano]
- Alice Gentle [Preziosilla]
- Thomas Chalmers [Fra Melitone]
- Giulio Rossi [Marquis de Calatrava]
- Marie Mattfeld [Curra]
- Paolo Ananian [Mayor]
- Giordano Paltrinieri [Trabuco]
- Vincenzo Reschiglian [Surgeon]
- Rosina Galli [Dance]
- Giuseppe Bonfiglio [Dance]