Metropolitan Opera Archives

Garnished with scenery and costumes dating from some long forgotten epoch in the Metropolitan's history, "Traviata" made its entry into the Spring season's schedule on Saturday night. So antiquated were the sets that they took on a special character of quaintness, giving somewhat the impression that the venerable opera was being given a "period" production, the period being in the neighborhood of the late nineties. Edith Mason, as Violetta, conquered with experience and poise the inroads that has made on a once beautiful vocal organ. Despite obvious deficiencies in the coloratura portions of the first and second acts, and a tendency toward over-emotionalizing her delivery, there were moments of cultivated projection. Among these was her "Dite alla giovine."

Armand Tokatyan took over the problems of Alfredo with energy, some beautiful voice quality and some forced high notes. His dramatic delineation was not exactly subtle, nor was his vocal style immaculate, but as a whole he gave the role a serviceable reading. Carlo Morelli was the elder Germont, and in the second act did some of the best singing this reviewer had heard from him. His "De provenza" delivered with unusual warmth and sincerity, brought him many curtain calls at the close of the scene. For the rest, there was a fairly presentable handling of the lesser roles, the usual divertissement by the American Ballet ensemble, and Mr. Papi's accurate, if hardly inspired, conducting.

The performance was followed by a repetition of the American Ballet production of "The Bat," music by Johann Strauss. The usual large and universally enthusiastic audience attended.

Search by season: 1935-36

Search by title: La Traviata, The Bat,

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