Metropolitan Opera Archives

Last evening at the Metropolitan Opera House a special performance of Meyerbeer's "Le Prophete" was given for the benefit of the French Benevolent Society and Hospital, and was brilliantly attended. The French Ambassador, Paul Claudel, and his party came from Washington to be present, and at their entrance into the parterre box reserved for them, just before Act II, the orchestra played the national anthems of France and the United States with the audience standing.

The performance had the familiar aspect of its two former presentations with the exception of the important role of Fides, sing by Karin Branzell instead of the original exponent, Marguerite Matzenauer. Miss Branzell's interpretation was in every way compatible with the high standard of all her impersonations on our stage, and under her touch the part assumed aspects of plausibility, humanity and forcefulness. Vocally the music is quite within her best powers and she easily dominated every scene in which she took part. Mr. Martinelli, as the Prophet John, proved again that he is devoted now-a-days to the art rather than the amplification of song, and Miss Corona, as Berthe, seemed to have her really interesting voice more under control that on some other occasions. Others in the cast were Messrs. Tedesco, D'Angelo, Pinza, Rothier, Wolfe, Altglass, Cehanovsky, Gabor and Paltrinieri. Mr. Bodanzky conducted and Miss Galli and her corps de ballet distinguished themselves in the elaborate skating scene of Act II.

Search by season: 1927-28

Search by title: Le Prophète,

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