[Met Tour] CID:149370



Mignon
American Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tue, January 4, 1949




Mignon (101)
Ambroise Thomas | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Mignon
Risë Stevens

Wilhelm Meister
James Melton

Philine
Patrice Munsel

Lothario
Jerome Hines

Frédéric
Jean Madeira

Laërte
Alessio De Paolis

Jarno
Osie Hawkins

Antonio
Lawrence Davidson

Dance
Marina Svetlova

Dance
Leon Varkas

Dance
Alfred Corvino

Dance
Richard Goltra


Conductor
Wilfred Pelletier







Review 1:

Review of Max de Schauensee in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
Met Scores Opera Hit Here With Return of “Mignon”



A decided hit was scored by the Metropolitan Opera Association last evening when it brought its production of Ambroise Thomas’ “Mignon” back to the Academy of Music after an absence of four years.



Despite its idiotic plot, static action and inane characterizations, “Mignon” still pleases because it now basks in the nostalgic aura of a period-piece and because Thomas’ music – his arias, duets and set-pieces – are undeniably pretty and easy to listen to.



Last night’s performance was a competent one, with Patrice Munsel easily reaping the evening’s honors. Miss Munsel sang Philine, a role which this singer’s feeling for elegant artificiality fits to a T. Miss Munsel has a sense of theater, which placed her quite apart among last night’s singers, and she has developed in the last few years a personality which is both distinctive and telling.



The soprano’s singing, while still wiry and lacking in sheer tonal beauty, was also brilliant and invested with a certain calculated chic that made its mark. The various arias allotted to Philine, including the famous “Polonaise,” were not without their definite effect last evening.



Also present were Rise Steven’s pleasant Mignon with its well-phrased, velvety though unexciting singing; James Melton’s Irish tenor adorning the arias of Wilhelm Meister with considerable appeal, and Jerome Hines’ solid performance of Lothario.



Mr. Hines, a California basso still in his 20’s, who has been entrusted with leading roles at the Metropolitan this season, gave a very promising performance. His voice is large and of excellent timber. He will undoubtedly indulge in greater subtleties of vocalization as he feels more at home in his new repertoire.



Jean Browning Madeira was the Frederick, and to her fell the singing of the famous Gavotte. Miss Madeira has a dark, solid voice of excellent quality and she made a distinctly agreeable impression.



Others were Alessio De Paolis, Osie Hawkins and Lawrence Davidson under the communicative baton of Wilfred Pelletier.


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