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[Met Tour] CID:147880
Tosca
University of Nebraska Coliseum, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wed, April 28, 1948
Tosca (283)
Giacomo Puccini | Luigi Illica/Giuseppe Giacosa
Review 1:
Review of Mary Louis Boehm in the Lincoln, Nebraska Star
“Tosca”’ Wins Favor Of Lincoln Audience
Met A Hit As Opera Returns After Lapse of Half Century
The Metropolitan Opera scarcely could have had a more successful performance anywhere than at last night’s production of “Tosca” in the University of Nebraska coliseum.
In an atmosphere already tinged with excitement, Puccini’s stirring music found an enthusiastic reception. Everyone had the same feeling – it was good to have the opera here after a lapse of almost 50 years.
Puccini may not have the skill and finesse of Mozart, nor the sweep and grandeur of Wagner, but nevertheless he ranks among the great tune-making, voice-loving Italian melo-dramatists. It is no small measure of his skill that he was able to hold the interest of millions by his melodies. These soaring tunes, always carefully calculated for climax and vocal skill, with the violins playing in octones above them, are the very essence of Puccini’s music.
Resnik Performance Praised
Last night “Tosca” was sung in traditional Italian style, with full orchestra, chorus and excellent cast, under the capable direction of Giuseppe Antonicelli. But as usual opera seems to be the one musical medium where excess emotion is in order. There is nothing subtle about either the singing or the acting. And people like it; what’s more they expect such distortion.
The second act particularly was exaggerated, where acting was most stylized and even the scenery was somewhat grotesque and out-of-date.
All of the characters were exceptionally well portrayed. Regina Resnik as Floria Tosca gave a magnificent performance. Here is a beautiful, rich voice with a wide even range. She undoubtedly is one of the most promising of the newest Met sopranos.
Jussi Bjoerling Swedish tenor (Cavaradossi) has a typical Italian-like voice, with a smooth bel canto quality and the easy Italian way of singing. Salvatore Baccaloni (The Sacristan) is one of these people who can add a bit of humor without becoming crude. John Brownlee’s role of Scarpia was always effectively handled.
And thus Lincoln’s concert season was brought to a brilliant close. Such performances as this make one look forward hopefully to the future. At least we’d like to see a return engagement very soon.
Search by season: 1947-48
Search by title: Tosca,
Met careers
Tosca
University of Nebraska Coliseum, Lincoln, Nebraska, Wed, April 28, 1948
Tosca (283)
Giacomo Puccini | Luigi Illica/Giuseppe Giacosa
- Tosca
- Regina Resnik
- Cavaradossi
- Jussi Björling
- Scarpia
- John Brownlee
- Sacristan
- Salvatore Baccaloni
- Spoletta
- Alessio De Paolis
- Angelotti
- Lorenzo Alvary
- Sciarrone
- George Cehanovsky
- Shepherd
- Thelma Altman
- Jailer
- Lawrence Davidson
- Conductor
- Giuseppe Antonicelli
Review 1:
Review of Mary Louis Boehm in the Lincoln, Nebraska Star
“Tosca”’ Wins Favor Of Lincoln Audience
Met A Hit As Opera Returns After Lapse of Half Century
The Metropolitan Opera scarcely could have had a more successful performance anywhere than at last night’s production of “Tosca” in the University of Nebraska coliseum.
In an atmosphere already tinged with excitement, Puccini’s stirring music found an enthusiastic reception. Everyone had the same feeling – it was good to have the opera here after a lapse of almost 50 years.
Puccini may not have the skill and finesse of Mozart, nor the sweep and grandeur of Wagner, but nevertheless he ranks among the great tune-making, voice-loving Italian melo-dramatists. It is no small measure of his skill that he was able to hold the interest of millions by his melodies. These soaring tunes, always carefully calculated for climax and vocal skill, with the violins playing in octones above them, are the very essence of Puccini’s music.
Resnik Performance Praised
Last night “Tosca” was sung in traditional Italian style, with full orchestra, chorus and excellent cast, under the capable direction of Giuseppe Antonicelli. But as usual opera seems to be the one musical medium where excess emotion is in order. There is nothing subtle about either the singing or the acting. And people like it; what’s more they expect such distortion.
The second act particularly was exaggerated, where acting was most stylized and even the scenery was somewhat grotesque and out-of-date.
All of the characters were exceptionally well portrayed. Regina Resnik as Floria Tosca gave a magnificent performance. Here is a beautiful, rich voice with a wide even range. She undoubtedly is one of the most promising of the newest Met sopranos.
Jussi Bjoerling Swedish tenor (Cavaradossi) has a typical Italian-like voice, with a smooth bel canto quality and the easy Italian way of singing. Salvatore Baccaloni (The Sacristan) is one of these people who can add a bit of humor without becoming crude. John Brownlee’s role of Scarpia was always effectively handled.
And thus Lincoln’s concert season was brought to a brilliant close. Such performances as this make one look forward hopefully to the future. At least we’d like to see a return engagement very soon.
Search by season: 1947-48
Search by title: Tosca,
Met careers