Metropolitan Opera Archives

The Castor and Pollux of the operatic repertoire, "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci," were reunited again at the "popular" Saturday night performance of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Constant repetition has made the performance of both of these works of very indifferent merit.

The chief trouble in this instance seemed to be with the prima donnas, both of whom sang consistently off key.Miss Jacobo, making her second appearance with the company as Santuzza in "Cavalleria Rusticana," possesses a voice of huge volume and rich quality, but her uncertain intonation and loud singing detracted from her performance. Miss Dalossy, piquant and vivacious as Nedda in "Pagliacci," is really a mezzo-soprano, and the dark quality and limited range of her voice little suites her for the soprano flights of the scatter-brained Nedda. She is, however, a charming actress.

The men fared better. Mr. Tokayan who improves with each season and registered last year a marked success in Puccini's "La Rondine" seems to have earned his right to prove his ability in better roles. He sang his small role of Santuzza's lover, Turiddu, to perfection. Mr. Lauri-Volpi, the Pagliacci, was at home in the part which required no subtlety and gave him many opportunities to demonstrate his ringing top tones. Mr. de Luca, although he sang the hackneyed "Prologue" to "Pagliacci" well, was not in his best voice. Mr. Bellezza, conductor of both works, was thoroughly competent and the chorus sang particularly well.

Search by season: 1928-29

Search by title: Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci,

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