[Met Performance] CID:73820



Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, January 24, 1920 Matinee





Il Barbiere di Siviglia (105)
Gioachino Rossini | Cesare Sterbini
Figaro
Millo Picco

Rosina
Mabel Garrison

Count Almaviva
Charles Hackett

Dr. Bartolo
Pompilio Malatesta

Don Basilio
José Mardones

Berta
Marie Mattfeld

Fiorello
Vincenzo Reschiglian

Sergeant
Pietro Audisio


Conductor
Gennaro Papi





In the Lesson Scene Garrison sang Voci di primavera (Strauss).

Review 1:

Unsigned review in the Tribune
Illness Overturns Opera Plans; Bills Quickly Shifted
Attendance at Performances May Develop Into Lottery-Like Venture if Sickness Among Stars Continues

If the prevalent sickness becomes much more serious opera-going will develop into a sort of lottery or game of chance; one will-not know what his ticket will draw until he reaches the opera house. After a change of opera from "Rigoletto” to “Il Barbiere” at the Metropolitan Opera House yesterday afternoon because of the illness of Mr. De Luca there was an eleventh, hour change in the cast of Rossini’s opera because of the illness of Mr. Amato. In consequence the audience heard a third barytone in the part of Figaro, Signor Millo Picco, of whom it may be said in brief that if he did not contribute brilliantly to the performance, he did not mar it. The ideally light-footed, light-hearted, voluble and mischief-loving factotum of Seville, has been absent from our lyric stage for many years, though not missed as much as he would be if the patrons of the Metropolitan were more familiar than they are with traditional operatic types. Signor Picco held his own in the ensemble creditably in actions well as song, and there was not a dull moment in the afternoon.

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Status Shown By Praise

That, perhaps, may be set down as negative praise, and fortunately there is something positive, to associate-with it, The opportunity for warm encomium was provided by Mme, Mabel Garrison, who appeared in the part of Rosina for the second time. If there has been as perfect singing at the Metropolitan this season, or for several seasons, as that which she exhibited in the lesson scene of the opera it can only have been her own. Her set piece was Strauss's waltz, "Voce di Primavera” which she sang with such lusciousness and clarity of tone, such finish in all that goes to make up excellence in song that she roused an audience naturally depressed by the weather to great enthusiasm. A supplemental number being necessary, she, sang Lemaire's "Vous Sansezs Marquise," a charming song ingeniously orchestrated in the modern manner by Mr. Pasternack. Mme. Garrison was not only exquisite vocally, but acted the comedy with an archness and grace which were bewitching. Mr. Papi conducted, and the other characters were in familiar hands. Almaviva, Mr. Hackett; Dr. Bartolo, Pompilio Malatesta; Fiorello, Vincenzo Reschiglian; Berta, Marie Mattfield, and Un Officiale, Pietro Anduzio.



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