Metropolitan Opera Archives

"The Tales of Hoffmann", as given last night at the Metropolitan Opera, was the finest musico-theatrical performance that this reviewer has encountered in that house or any other during the three-and-a-half years he has been covering the musical events of this city. Every role, from the last up to the most important, was handsomely sung and thoroughly, responsibly acted. The work was conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham with a fire and a sweep as have probably not been matched at the Metropolitan since Toscanini left its pit some twenty-five years ago.

To enumerate the excellent performances would be to repeat the cast. The most noteworthy was the debut here of Martial Singher, barytone from the Paris Opera. In the short role of Dappertutto, Mr. Singher gave a stage performance of incomparable elegance and did a piece of singing that for perfection of vocal style has not been equalled since Kirsten Flagstad went away. Mr. Pinza's performance as Miracle was one of his great performances. Mr. Jobin as Hoffmann has never sung or appeared better. Miss Glaz, as Nicklausse, was most distinguished. And little Miss Munsel did a thoroughly professional job as Olympia.

Credit for the coherence and beauty and for all the dramatic excitements we experienced last night is entirely due to Sir Thomas. A Powerful and Intelligent performance like that is not the result of chance, nor is it possible with a mere accompanist in the pit.

Photographs of Raoul Jobin as Hoffmann and Martial Singher as Dappertutto in Les Contes d'Hoffmann.

Search by season: 1943-44

Search by title: Les Contes d'Hoffmann,

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