Metropolitan Opera Archives

The pleasanter – and familiar – side of Sex returned to the stage of the Boston Opera House last night as the Metropolitan performed Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” All told, this paragon among lovely comic operas, went superbly well. The vocalism, on all sides was of a high order, and in the pit Frtiz Reiner kept the orchestra singing.

There was a new Figaro, Italo Tajo, who was making his local debut as the tricky but harassed bridegroom-to-be. He is a fine singer and evidently an actor of considerable prowess. During the first act evidently he had not gauged the acoustics of the Opera House, or else he was favoring his voice, for his tones did not project well.

But as the evening went on Tajo’s performance gained vocal strength and his acting took on much more spirit. By the time of Figaro’s aria in the fourth act, Tajo was really scintillating.

Susanna is one of Bidu Sayao’s best roles. She does it with archness and a sweetness that are irresistible. It is full of small but telling details, and it has a personal character all the way. Furthermore, she is a vocalist of the first rank, with a luscious lyric soprano. I doubt if she ever had suing better in this city than last night.

The same was true of Eleanor Steber as the Countess. Her “Porgi amor” and “Dove sono” were voiced and phrased beautifully, and with Miss Sayao, Miss Steber made the letter scene a high point of the evening. Miss Steber’s acting, also, has gained poise and security.

The solid competence of Brownlee’s Count; the astringent – and neatly sung – Marcellina of Herta Glaz, and Salvatore Baccaloni’s Bartolo were pleasant, indeed, along with the increasingly slick Basilio of De Paolis.

As Cherubino, Ann Bollinger was making her first appearance here as a member of the Metropolitan. Vocally she was able, doing the “Non so piu” and “Voi che sapete” with grace, if little looseness of rhythm. Her acting of the part will stand improvement. She hasn’t yet learned the trick of walking like a boy, and there are many more comic points to be made than she succeeded in doing. But she is young and gifted, and experience will make a difference.

Search by season: 1948-49

Search by title: Le Nozze di Figaro,

Met careers