[Met Performance] CID:79870



Faust
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, January 20, 1922

Debut : Louis Hasselmans




Faust (324)
Charles Gounod | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Faust
Giovanni Martinelli

Marguerite
Geraldine Farrar

Méphistophélès
Clarence Whitehill

Valentin
Giuseppe De Luca

Siebel
Myrtle Schaaf

Marthe
Louise Bérat

Wagner
Paolo Ananian


Conductor
Louis Hasselmans [Debut]







Review 1:

Review of C. F. in Musical America

Farrar in 'Faust'

"Faust," with Mme. Farrar, Martinelli and Whitehill, was the occasion for a great outpouring of people on Friday night. Louis Hasselmans, the new French conductor, who succeeds Albert Wolff, made an effective debut, at once demonstrating his authority and musicianship. "Faust" sorely needs an overhauling on the side of stage direction; the exits and entrances are uncertain and too much is left to the good intentions of the interpreters. Mme. Farrar sang in her newly found delicate style. This new manner, while doubtless an improvement over the unrestrained vocal licenses of the past years, leaves much to be desired in the way of emotional force. This restraint was conspicuous throughout the evening; even the great trio was tempered with caution. Mr. Whitehill's magnificent voice, one of the noblest voices of its kind, was heard to good effect, despite his manifest indisposition and restrained acting. De Luca's Valentin is one of his weakest portraits, vocally and histrionically. Myrtle Schaaf's Siebel was a lovely little creature; she sang charmingly and made a very agreeable picture. Martinelli's Faust was surcharged with vitality and charm. He was easily the triumphal figure of the performance.

Mme. Farrar spoke these words in response to a cyclone of applause:

"Children - This is no occasion for a funeral. There are lots of other performances ahead. I hope you will come and enjoy them and I will do the best I can. Good night."

She kissed her hand to the "children" and the audience filed out, appeased.



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