Metropolitan Opera Archives

One of the most delightful operatic performances of the season was that of "La Traviata," given by the Metropolitan company in the Academy of Music last night. Hackneyed as is the music and old fashioned the story, they were invested with a new vitality and charm under the magic of a beautiful environment, unusual singing and dramatic presentation that awakened and held the interest of the audience. Perhaps the most potent factor in the fascination of the production was the scenery evolved by Urban. The first act was especially beautiful, the lofty effect achieved, surroundings that gave the singers a peculiarly diminutive appearance, making the opera seem almost a fairy story.

Lucrezia Bori has never done anything here better than the impersonation of Violetta she gave last night. The appeal of her performance was not so much vocal as dramatic, although vocally she was entirely adequate, not perhaps the fluent coloratura usually heard in the part, but a singer with infinitely more variety of expression and with a tonal resource entirely beyond the average agile soprano. Her voice took on the timbre of the part, as one would imagine it, and held a charm for the auditor more powerful and satisfying than any amount of meaningless vocal flights. Bori is a real actress, a tragedienne who carried her audience with her and made live a role made tiresome and passé by endless blundering coloraturists.

She was acclaimed by the audience and was greatly admired for her clever performance. Her costumes were beautiful and becoming. Giacomo Lauri-Volpi was as satisfying in a way as Bori, although his attraction was almost entirely vocal. An unusually virile tenor, used with admirable discrimination and at times moving expression, brought him well-earned recognition and applause. Another singer who was warmly received was Giuseppe Danise as Giorgio Germont. The smaller roles were acceptably filled. The ballet arranged by Rosina Galli was mildly diverting. Moranzoni conducted admirably.

Search by season: 1923-24

Search by title: La Traviata,

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