Metropolitan Opera Archives

At the Metropolitan Opera last evening a repetition of the latest double bill, "Madonna Imperia" and Le Coq d'Or," involved several changes in the familiar casts. Chief among these was the assumption by Nannette Guilford of the title role in the Alfano opera for the first time, although she had understudied Maria Müller and had sung the part in the dress rehearsal. Miss Guilford is able to present a fairly convincing portrait and endows the capricious courtesan of Constance with some beauty of person and song. She met with a slight mishap at her entrance when her elaborate gown caught first in the door and then on a nail, throwing her to her knees with some violence, but she disengaged herself and pursued the even way of her interpretation with admirable serenity. Many in the audience were scarcely aware of the incident.

Her colleagues were the usual incumbents of the remaining roles, Misses Falco and Ryan as the maids, Mr. Jagel as the little clerk. Filippo Maio, the important suitors sung by Messrs. D'Angelo, Pinza and Wolfe, Mr. Bada as the Prelate of Bordeaux, and Messrs Picco and Paltrinieri as the two servants. Mr. Serafin conducted.

In Rimsky-Korsakoff's delicious ballet opera, Mr. Bamboschek conducted, Miss Talley sang the voice of the Queen, Miss Wakefield, that of Amalfa, while Mr. Diaz sang the Astrologer, Miss Guilford, the voice of the Golden Cockrel, Mr. Pinza, the King and Mr. d'Angelo, the General. As at previous performances, the chief dancers were Mmes. Galli and De Laporte, Messrs. Kosloff, Bonfiglio and Bartik.

Search by season: 1927-28

Search by title: Madonna Imperia, Le Coq d'Or,

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