[Met Performance] CID:122170



Aida
Metropolitan Opera House, Mon, December 13, 1937

Debut : Nicola Moscona




Aida (417)
Giuseppe Verdi | Antonio Ghislanzoni
Aida
Gina Cigna

Radamès
Giovanni Martinelli

Amneris
Bruna Castagna

Amonasro
Carlo Tagliabue

Ramfis
Nicola Moscona [Debut]

King
Norman Cordon

Messenger
Giordano Paltrinieri

Priestess
Thelma Votipka

Dance
Daphne Vane


Conductor
Ettore Panizza







Review 1:

Review of Howard Taubman in The New York Times

DEBUT BY MOSCONA AT METROPOLITAN

Greek Basso, a Discovery in Milan, Pleases Audience as Ramfis in "Aida"

REVEALS AGREEABLE VOICE

Without Nervousness From the Start - Is Expected to Be Valuable Addition

Nicola Moscona, 26-year old Greek basso, made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera House last night as high priest, Ramfis, in "Aida." He is the singer Edward Johnson overheard in an audition while visiting a publisher in Milan last summer. The Metropolitan manager signed Mr. Moscona immediately, while the Italian authorities were deciding whether they should engage a foreigner for their major opera houses.

Ramfis is the first character to be heard in "Aida," and Mr. Moscona uttered his song without any show of nervousness. He has a basso cantante of ample size and agreeable quality. The voice is smoothly produced, and seems to be equal throughout its compass. On the basis of several scenes in which this reviewer heard him, Mr. Moscona has the makings of a valuable addition to the Italian and French wing. Judgment of his powers as an actor must await further roles, for Ramfis is not exacting dramatically.

Persons of Greek descent manifested their pleasure with the engagement of Mr. Moscona by sending Mr. Johnson telegrams that promised their support of the Metropolitan. And some of the basso's countrymen were in the audience, which received him warmly.

The cast otherwise was the same as that which sang in "Aida" in the [first] week. Gina Cigna had the title role, Bruna Castagna was the Amneris, Giovanni Martinelli the Radames, Carlo Tagliabue the Amonasro, Norman Cordon the King, Thelma Votipka the Priestess and Giordano Paltrinieri the Messenger. Ettore Panizza conducted.



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