[Met Tour] CID:150260



Mignon
Boston Opera House, Boston, Massachusetts, Sat, March 26, 1949 Matinee





Mignon (103)
Ambroise Thomas | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Mignon
Risë Stevens

Wilhelm Meister
Giuseppe Di Stefano

Philine
Mimi Benzell

Lothario
Jerome Hines

Frédéric
Jean Madeira

Laërte
John Garris

Jarno
Osie Hawkins

Antonio
Lawrence Davidson

Dance
Alfred Corvino

Dance
William Murrill

Dance
Marina Svetlova

Dance
Leon Varkas


Conductor
Wilfred Pelletier







Review 1:

B. O. G. in the Boston Herald

“Mignon”

 The light, romantic French operetta, “Mignon,” was performed yesterday afternoon with some uncertainty in the singing and yet with perfect finesse in the orchestral department. Though the story is no more than a silly melodrama, the music is charming and graceful and was aired for all it is worth.

 Any feeling of disappointment at the change in the casting (Benzell for Munsel) was dispelled in the playing of the bright overture, and from there on the frothy, foolish tale was lightly spun on its way. Hardly more than a framework for the lovely songs, such as those Jean Browning-Madeira sings in the part of Frederic, the boy soprano, the plot is of slight consequence. But the piquant, delicate music, such as the familiar gavotte in the overture to the second act was given a lively performance by the orchestra under the able leadership of Wilfred Pelletier.

 Rise Stevens sang the part of Mignon with vigor and a full tone of voice which seems hardly in keeping with the diminutive, timid little wisp of a girl who she was portraying, and in the famous “Connais-tu le pays” she actually seemed flashy and blatant. Mimi Benzell acted well, and after a slow start on the singing, warmed up to come through with a brilliant effect in the coloratura solo, “Je suis Titania.” Though she sang well, the pleasure of listening to her was somewhat diminished by the fact that she seemed not to be at home in the part – and how could she be accustomed to it with what must have been a last-minute substitution.

 Others did well. Giuseppe Di Stefano, as Wilhelm Meister, was in fine voice, and sang in sturdy, melodious tones, while Jerome Hines was a god Lothario. John Garris properly carried off the pompous part of Learte, and splendid performances were given by Osie Hawkins, as Jarno, and Lawrence Davidson as Antonio.

 The ballet in the first act was extremely well done, and the bright costumes added considerably to the skillful dancing by Marina Svetlova and Messrs. Varkas, Corvino, Murrill and the rest. Altogether the afternoon’s entertainment was of mixed quality, some good and some of it decidedly not up to standard.



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