Metropolitan Opera Archives

The recently ailing Rosa Ponselle rejoined the ranks of the Metropolitan last night appearing once again in "Carmen." This kept intact the string of Miss Ponselle's successive performances in this role during last season and this, to the exclusion (for whatever reason) of all other parts.

Her delineation of the cigarette girl was no less a caricature than it has been in the past, save perhaps that it was a shade more considerately vocalized. There were phrases now and again in the "Habanera" and the "Seguidilla" that reminded one of the sumptuous loveliness this voice once possessed, but they were prominent merely by contrast with Miss Ponselle's prevailing overuse of the dark timbers of the organ, her liberty with outlines and accents. In the passages of the dialogue and the ensembles her dramatic efforts frequently tested the credulity of the audience to laughter.

Rene Maison offered his earnest portrayal of Don José, and Ezio Pinza intoned the music of the Toreador, with Natalie Bodanya an excessively inoffensive Micaela. The American Ballet danced, and Gennaro Papi conducted. It was not one of the nights that would have prompted Nietzsche to inspired comment on the "yellow sunshine" of Bizet's score. A large audience was present and applauding.

Search by season: 1936-37

Search by title: Carmen,

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