[Met Tour] CID:150770



Mignon
Denver Auditorium, Denver, Colorado, Tue, May 10, 1949




Mignon (108)
Ambroise Thomas | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Mignon
Risë Stevens

Wilhelm Meister
Giuseppe Di Stefano

Philine
Marilyn Cotlow

Lothario
Jerome Hines

Frédéric
Jean Madeira

Laërte
Alessio De Paolis

Jarno
Osie Hawkins

Antonio
Lawrence Davidson

Dance
Alfred Corvino

Dance
William Murrill

Dance
Marina Svetlova

Dance
Leon Varkas


Conductor
Wilfred Pelletier







Review 1:

Allen Young in the Denver Post

“Mignon”

 

For the final performance there was presented a “Mignon” which was notable for the delicacy and verve which the orchestra under Wilfred Pelletier achieved in Thomas’ very melodious score, and for the full participation in the romantic spirit of the opera by Rise Stevens and Jerome Hines.

 

Rise Stevens has won her popularity by natural qualities which include a zestful pleasure in operatic singing and an appearance on the stage which is always stalwart. As Mignon, a role impossible of logical characterization, she was shy and bold, passionate and ailing; her acute stage presence merged these parts of character into a figure of charm and grace. Her voice is full and projected with ease and comprehension.

 

One of the most fortunate of all recent acquisitions by the Metropolitan is Jerome Hines. His is a voice of grand natural glories. Projected with consummate musicianship, his singing has warmth and dignity and seems to have endless resources. It would seem that his capabilities are without limit. His Lothario was a deeply touching figure, the most coherent in the opera.

 

Giuseppe Di Stefano sang with volume, although some forced production early in the performance hurt its properly natural characteristics. In his final scene he warmed up to excellent singing.

 

Marilyn Cotlow was pretty as Philine. Her stage presence is bright and some phrasing ideal, but her range limited. In the low register there is no audible quality and many passages were slighted for absence of sound technic.

 

Alessio De Paolis made much of the slight role of Laerte, Osie Hawkins was a nasty gypsy and Lawrence Davidson was an effective Antonio. Jean Browning Madeira sang the Gavotte with spirit, making a good impression. Marina Svetlova brightened the activities of the first act with a dance that was well above the usual opera ballet episode.



Search by season: 1948-49

Search by title: Mignon,



Met careers