[Met Performance] CID:136950



Cavalleria Rusticana
Pagliacci
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, February 23, 1944







Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances
Dancers: Marina Svetlova, Monna Montes, Nina Youskevitch,
Michael Arshansky, Alexis Dolinoff, Leon Varkas


Conductor...............Wilfred Pelletier

Review 1:

Review of Oscar Thompson in the Sun

ELLA FLESCH SINGS ROLE OF SANTUZZA

The Metropolitan presented a new Santuzza last night in Mascagni's part of what was styled a triple bill, because of the Polovetzian Dances from Borodin's "Prince Igor" being interlarded again between "Cavalleria Rusticana" and Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci." The first time heroine of "Cavalleria" was Ella Flesch, who made an emergency debut in the title role of Strauss's "Salome" last month.

The Hungarian-born soprano sang agreeably and there was sound routine in her characterization. She was not overwhelmed by Cesare Sodero's orchestra, as she sometimes had been by George Szell's "Salome" ensemble. Her upper tones were particularly clear and resonant. Armand Tokatyan returned to the mellifluous brutalities of Turridu and accomplished them with his customary sang-froid. The avenger Alfio was again the big-voiced Alexander Sved. Lola was given warmth of tone by Helen Olheim, and Thelma Votipka cared appropriately for Mama Lucia.

The cast for "Pagliacci" was a familiar one, including Licia Albanese, Raoul Jobin, Lawrence Tibbett, Alessio de Paolis and Walter Cassel.



Search by season: 1943-44

Search by title: Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci,



Met careers