[Met Tour] CID:150700



Mignon
Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, Wed, May 4, 1949




Mignon (107)
Ambroise Thomas | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Mignon
Risë Stevens

Wilhelm Meister
James Melton

Philine
Marilyn Cotlow

Lothario
Jerome Hines

Frédéric
Jean Madeira

Laërte
Leslie Chabay

Jarno
Osie Hawkins

Antonio
Lawrence Davidson

Dance
Alfred Corvino

Dance
William Murrill

Dance
Marina Svetlova

Dance
Leon Varkas


Conductor
Wilfred Pelletier







Review 1:

John Gillespie in the Los Angeles Daily Mirror

Stevens and Hines Sing Magnificently in “Mignon”

 Although it may not be grand opera in the “grandest” tradition, Ambroise Thomas’ opera , “Mignon,” possesses a charm and an intimacy of expression that are somewhat unique in operatic repertory. The performance last night by the Metropolitan Opera was a creditable one, the general impression being one of smoothness and spontaneity of movement.

 

Fine Singing

 Two voices stood out above the entire performance. Rise Stevens and Jerome Hines sang as though they were actually living their roles instead of singing one section after the other: Miss Stevens’ voice can only be described as thrilling, and with this beautiful voice she brought a vivid dramatic conception of the title role. Never over-acting, never going beyond the artistic bounds of taste, Miss Stevens actually was Mignon.

 Jerome Hines was  magnificent Lothario, both in his conception of the aging minstrel and in the fine singing which he achieved. The aria, “De son coeur, j’ai calme la fievre,” climaxed an evening of glorious singing by Mr. Hines.

 

Tenor Lead

 The tenor lead, that of Wilhelm Meister, was taken by James Melton. Although achieving a generally convincing portrayal, Mr. Melton was not always in consistently good voice. The aria in the last act was shaky and slightly off-pitch.

 The other principals were convincing in varying degrees. Jean Browning Madeira was well-nigh perfect as Frederic, the foppish admirer of Philine. Philine herself was not too convincingly sung by Marilyn Cotlow, while John Garris (sic), Osie Hawkins and Lawrence Davidson adequately carried the roles of Laerte, Jarne and Antonio.

 

 

 



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