[Met Performance] CID:91960



Thaïs
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, January 13, 1926




Thaïs (39)
Jules Massenet | Louis Gallet
Thaïs
Maria Jeritza

Athanaël
Clarence Whitehill

Nicias
Ralph Errolle

Palémon
Louis D'Angelo

Crobyle
Nannette Guilford

Myrtale
Minnie Egener

Albine
Kathleen Howard

Servant
Arnold Gabor

Dance
Florence Rudolph

Dance
Giuseppe Bonfiglio


Conductor
Louis Hasselmans







Review 1:

Review of Oscar Thompson in Musical America

Jeritza in Alexandria

Time was when the clamor for French opera at the Metropolitan centered largely around Massenet's "Thais." This clamor has been materially lessened. Perhaps, after all, "Thais" has served its mission. That, so far as reviewer was concerned, might have been the mental, emotional and spiritual burden of "The Meditation" Wednesday evening. If, in the large audience, there was an element which reacted to Massenet's melodic paraphrase of Anatole France with something like the enthusiasm of Hammerstein's day, he can only sadly admit that he was not of it. Perhaps "Thais" is still good "theater." Perhaps. But there are few duller scenes in all opera than that of the Thebaide which begins it, and few more futile than that of the Convent of the White Sisters which ends it. Between, are the Meditation and Maria Jeritza.

Forgetting the score for the nonce, and thinking only of the performance, Wednesday evening's "Thais" was neither the best nor the worst New York has heard. Mme. Jeritza sang the music of the religieuse demurely and sweetly, but left the impression that the courtesan who preceded her was never a very wicked or abandoned mortal, in spite of the temper she showed in a full-length fall. Mr. Whitehill had difficulties with the high notes given to Athanael and watched the conductor rather more than is his wont, though his conception of the character had its usual dramatic sturdiness. Ralph Errolle's Nicias was engaging, and the small parts of Palemon, Crobyle, Myrtale, Albine, and A Servant, were sufficiently well cared for by Louis D'Angelo, Nannette Guilford, Minnie Egener, Kathleen Howard, and Arnold Gabor. Louis Hasselmans conducted.

Florence Rudolph and Giusepppe Bonfiglio led the elaborate and well executed ballet of the second part of Act II. Delibes would have been ashamed of the music to which it was danced. However, there was the Oriental street music at the [beginning] of this scene to supply a few moments worthy of advertent listening.



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