Metropolitan Opera Archives

The season's third performance of Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera" at the Metropolitan Opera House last night had two principals in the cast who had not sung their roles before in this theater: Richard Tucker as Riccardo and Cloe Elmo as Ulrica. The Italian contralto, who had made a notable impression in her first Metropolitan assignment, Azucena in "Il Trovatore," gave a convincing characterization; her voice had color and emotional pungency and a forcefulness appropriate to the role, while, from a visual aspect, her impersonation gave a sense of pervasive dramatic authority.

Mr. Tucker provided generally well phrased and artistic singing; the tone quality was appealing and the volume ably controlled, a few top notes seemed somewhat tense, but a sense of effort was usually avoided, while the tenor's voice also proved to be expressively communicative.

Stella Roman, appearing as Amelia for the first time this season, presented the role with emotional conviction. There was quite a little unevenness of tone, but, when at its best, her singing was ingratiating, both in the quality of her voice and its expressive hues. Leonard Warren again sang Renato; other roles were sung by Pierrette Alarie and Messrs. Moscona, Alvary, Baker, Chabay and Oliviero with Guiseppe Antonicelli conducting.

Search by season: 1947-48

Search by title: Un Ballo in Maschera,

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