Metropolitan Opera Archives

There cannot be any manner of doubt that Signor Gatti-Casazza is an impresario. When he determined to revive the dead, buried and mummified "Fedora" of Umberto Giordano, there was such a shaking of heads as New York had not known since men began to build the Ninth Avenue "L." And when the opera was performed early in this season the whole town sang "Requiseat in pace." For the music again sounded pallid, ineffective and easily forgettable. And what is an opera without music? A painting without color or a play without situations?

But all the wise men of Gotham were at sea in a tub, for they had forgotten two important things; to wit, the theatrical cunning of Vittorien Sardou and the dramatic personality of Mme. Maria Jeritza. Mr. Gatti-Casazza's generalship was never more clearly displayed than in his disclosure of the Austrian prima donna as Fedora. The part fits her as if it had been written for her. She is neither a Bernhardt nor a Fanny Davenport, but she is the operatic Fedora to the life. Her impersonation of this much troubled lady in the best thing she has done here. It is even better than her siren in Erich Korngold's lugubrious work, "Die Tote Stadt."

Mme. Jeritza was in good voice last evening and sang Giordano's music sufficiently well to give it its full dramatic value. Her composition of the character has gained in sympathy. It is more correctly proportioned. Its points are made with more certainty and its pictorial quality has been enriched by an improved sense of light and shade in action. The prima donna continued to fall down last evening as admirably as if she had been trained in Hollywood. She received much earned applause.

Mr. Martinelli was also in good condition and his virile impersonation of Loris Ipanov was made up to its own high standard. Miss Mario repeated her charming and well balanced portrayal of the volatile Countess Olga and Mr. Scotti was the admirable De Siriex of old. Italo Picchi deserves mention for his Cirillo and several ladies of the chorus (not named in the program), for their good stage pictures of grandes dames. Mr. Papi conducted.

Search by season: 1923-24

Search by title: Fedora,

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