Metropolitan Opera Archives

Nannette Guilford, American soprano, appeared for the first time as Ginevra in the Saturday evening performance of "La Cena delle Beffe." This is Miss Guilford's third season at the Metropolitan and she has appeared in important roles before, but none of them as pretentious and as graceful as that of Sem Benelli's Renaissance heroine. She was given an ovation after her big aria in the second act and was hailed with the illicit shower of bouquets which seems to have become an American tradition at the opera house this year.

Lawrence Tibbett and Beniamino Gigli appeared again in the roles of Neri and Giannetto. Mr. Tibbett's dramatic interpretation of the part, which runs the gamut of emotions and stage technic, was admirable and his voice smooth and yet powerful. Mr. Gigli's singing showed no signs of the cold which has kept him confined to his bed for several days. Miss Guilford managed to achieve a fragile femininity in her rôle. Her tone was full and free and she took her high notes easily, but her voice betrayed an occasional roughness, which she should be able to polish off.

Ellen Dalossy, the Lisabetta, Grace Anthony as Fiametta, a difficult, but somewhat thankless part, and Angelo Bada as Gabriello were also acclaimed by an audience that was enthusiastic from the beginning.

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Search by title: La Cena delle Beffe,

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