Metropolitan Opera Archives

There was a Russian Carmen at yesterday afternoon's performance of the Bizet opera at the Metropolitan - Ina Bourskaya, who had made her Metropolitan début in that role slightly over a year ago. Mme. Bourskaya gave a very creditable performance yesterday, with singing that showed improvement over a year ago. A certain richness in her mezzo-soprano was more obvious than before, with a clearly more fluent tone. Her Carmen did not seem to be a particularly aggressive one, Don José being led on rather than pursued; but, with this comparative reserve, Mme. Bourskaya's performance seemed effective.

Mr. Martinelli played his familiar part of Don José, with Mr. Mardones a very respectable Escamillo. Queena Mario was an appealing Micaela, and James Wolf's Zuniga possessed distinct animation and vocal strength. Mmes. Mellish and Wakefield were Frasquita and Mercedes, with Mr. Gabor as Morales, and Messrs. D'Angelo and Bada as the bandits. Mr. Hasselmans conducted, while the new ballet had its usual sumptuousness. A naval contingent of about one hundred and twenty-five officers and men, invited by Mr. Otto Kahn, were among the large audience.

Search by season: 1923-24

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