Metropolitan Opera Archives

The second performance of "Tales of Hoffmann" at the Metropolitan yesterday afternoon was the second benefit for the Fund for New East Colleges, the first having been on March 12, both netting the cause some $14,000. Certain elements made success almost a foregone conclusion. The opera is light and diverting musically; dramatically it is a beguiling and highly colored fantasy, and scenically Mr. Gatti has clothed it in lavish and fanciful garments. The cast enlists the services of several artists of first rank and displays three prima donnas to advantage, so it is ideal entertainment for a matinee crowd not used to opera.

Yesterday's performance varied somewhat from the previous one. For one reason the pulchritudinous slenderness of Mary Lewis was removed from the role of Giuletta and the more mature charms of Frances Peralta were substituted. Perhaps it was considered advisable to have this character heard as well as seen, and Miss Peralta presented much solid food for both eye and ear. Another change was in the title role, Armand Tokatyan singing in place of Ralph Errolle, and with a slightly lesser degree of success - and one change not noted on the program was Mr. Meader singing in place of Mr. Altglass as Nathaneal.

Interest for many centered in Marion Talley's mechanical doll of Act I, and this went well, indeed, Miss Talley sings best in purely technical flights unhampered by action or emotion, and yesterday her voice seemed stronger, better controlled, less thin and brittle. Her wooden expression and jerky motions have been well learned and without a smile she manages to endow her performance with considerable humor. She is a very perfect Olympia. But the enthusiasm of the crowd was not all for her. Once more Lucrezia Bori walked away with the success of the afternoon, as the frail and pitiful Antonia of Act 3, a success equally compounded of voice, art and personality.

Messrs. De Luca and Bada repeated their versatile performances of three roles each, and other striking characterizations were Miss Howard as Nicklausse, Lawrence Tibbett as Schlemil, Paolo Ananian as Spalanzani, and minor roles in the hands of Miss Alcock, Messrs. Wolfe, D'Angelo, Meader, Gustafson and Picco. Mr. Hasselmans conducted.

Search by season: 1925-26

Search by title: Les Contes d'Hoffmann,

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