[Met Tour] CID:90200



Aida
Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tue, April 14, 1925




Aida (301)
Giuseppe Verdi | Antonio Ghislanzoni
Aida
Elisabeth Rethberg

Radamès
Giovanni Martinelli

Amneris
Karin Branzell

Amonasro
Giuseppe Danise

Ramfis
José Mardones

King
Paolo Ananian

Messenger
Giordano Paltrinieri

Priestess
Charlotte Ryan

Dance
Florence Rudolph


Conductor
Tullio Serafin







Review 1:

Review of Stanley Muschamp in the Philadelphia Inquirer

OPERA SEASON ENDS WITH VERDI'S 'AIDA'

Splendid Production of Remarkable Work by Metropolitan Opera Company

The Metropolitan Opera Company made its final appearance of the season last evening with a presentation of Verdi's "Aida" given in the Academy of Music. "Aida" has long been recognized as a wise selection with which to open or close a season, since every once can find in this score a solo, duet, or ensemble to his liking. There are some persons who will recall the year when two opera companies began their operatic programes in this city on the same evening, making simultaneous productions of this popular opera. The two productions were sung to audiences that taxed the capacities of the theaters.

For a satisfactory presentation of this score it is necessary to have the assistance of six or seven excellent singers, a chorus large numerically and in tone, a brass band, and a procession long enough to satisfy the small boy's idea of a good parade, with an orchestra of symphonic standards. This mighty assemblage appeared on either side of the footlights last evening, and with their singing, playing and acting aroused the audience that occupied every seat in the auditorium to a fine state of enthusiasm.

Aida Well Sung

Mme. Elisabeth Rethberg sang the title role of Aida with great beauty of tone, fine phrasing and, when needed, sufficient power to dominate the situation. Mme. Rethberg is an artist of excellent vocal attainments, who can sing equally well the St, Matthew Passion of Bach and the theatrical music of Verdi. Signor Martinelli again demonstrated his versatile talent as Radames. This is a character in strong contrast to that of Eleazar which he sang last week, but in voice and in acting was equally successful.

Mme. Karin Branzell as Amneris interpreted the Egyptian princess with intelligent appreciation of the part. Her voice, which is of remarkably fine tone quality in the upper part of her scale, gradually looses its firmness as it descends. José Mardones appeared as the High Priest, a role not unlike that which he had in "La Juive" and which he presents in as fine a manner. The voice of Charlotte Ryan is not of the timber best suited to express the quasi-Oriental music of the priestess. Paolo Ananian and Giordano Paltrinieri as the King and Messenger made these lesser roles fit will into the picture.

The various scenes were picturesque. There was great assembling of the hosts of Egyptians and Ethiopians in the second act at the return of Radames, which were well managed. Again in the Nile Scene one felt the charm of the location. Florence Randolph led the ballet in the several scenes. Tullio Serafin conducted with authority, and made the wonderful score pulsate with life.



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