Metropolitan Opera Archives

A highly satisfactory and sometimes brilliant performance of Mozart's "Nozze di Figaro" was given last night at the Metropolitan Opera House. The presentation employed the same cast as on two previous occasions this season with the exception of Bidu Sayao, who replaced Licia Albanese as Susanna.

Miss Sayao is an exceptionally able actress and she conveyed all of the sparkle to be found in Da Ponte's libretto. She also projected most of the music expertly. The only real drawback was her "Deh vieni, non tardar" in which the flow of this melody emerged with effort. This was perhaps less the fault of that singer than of the conductor, who dragged the aria inexplicably. One wondered if he noticed the significant text, "non tardar."

In all else, however, Ettore Panizza led his forces with a remarkably able sense of pacing. The overture was superbly played, and throughout the performance the orchestra contributed a vital glow. As at his debut earlier in the month, Salvatore Baccaloni brought great distinction to the part of Dr. Bartolo. Everything this basso did has precisely the right approach.

The remainder of the cast was familiar with Elisabeth Rethberg as the Countess, Jarmila Novotna as Cherubino, John Brownlee as the Count and Ezio Pinza in the title role. Irra Petina, Marita Farell, Alessio de Paolis, George Rasely and Louis D'Angelo completed the roster. Some of the principals were in uneven voice, with Mr. Brownlee just getting under the wire in the Count's aria and Mme. Rethberg not equaling her own past performances in the "Dove Sono." But both of these artists fitted admirably into the frame, and a few vocal shortcomings may be overlooked. Mr. Pinza was his accomplished self.

It is probably beyond human ingenuity to have the Countess mistaken for Susanna in the garden scene, since their respective outlines loom so differently. But this episode was deftly carried off last night, thanks to the stage direction of Herbert Graf and to the musico-comic talents of Miss Sayao, who is constantly increasing her stature as an artist.

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Search by title: Le Nozze di Figaro,

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