Metropolitan Opera Archives

These twin tragic melodramas, "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci," accompanied each other, as often before, last night at the Metropolitan, with Mme. Jeritza singing her first Italian role of the season, in the Mascagni opera as Santuzza. Hers was a very effective Santuzza, though not always of the traditional type, but well played from the dramatic standpoint. She gave a vivid impression of combined passion and despair, while her voice seemed in excellent shape.

Mario Chamlee, who has been singing and acting very well this season, continued to so do in the part of Turiddu with Mme. Perini as Lola and Mme. Mattfeld as Lucia, and Mr. Picco as Alfio.

Titta Ruffo opened "Pagliacci" as Tonio, proving in the prologue and afterward to be in good voice, better than earlier in the season, and clowning with vigor. Edward Johnson, making his first Metropolitan appearance as Canio gave, as usual, a thoroughly artistic interpretation in both voice and action, as his part in the second act, while vivid, was not overdone. The "Vesti la giubba" aria was well sung, to be at a disadvantage from the memory of Caruso.

Mme. Rethberg, as before, was a thoroughly effective Nedda, while other parts were taken by Messrs. Paltrinieri and Reschiglian. Mr. Moranzoni conducted "Cavalleria" and Mr. Papi the Leoncavallo opera.

Search by season: 1922-23

Search by title: Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci,

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