[Met Performance] CID:153050



Aida
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, March 3, 1950 Matinee





Aida (520)
Giuseppe Verdi | Antonio Ghislanzoni
Aida
Gertrude Ribla

Radamès
Frederick Jagel

Amneris
Martha Lipton

Amonasro
Frank Valentino

Ramfis
Luben Vichey

King
Lorenzo Alvary

Messenger
Paul Franke

Priestess
Anne Bollinger

Dance
Lorraine Ammerman

Dance
Barbara Hausler

Dance
Audrey Keane

Dance
Elissa Minet

Dance
Leon Varkas


Conductor
Max Rudolf







Review 1:

Review of Cecil Smith in Musical America

In this matinee for school children, sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Lubomir Vichegonov sang the role of Ramfis for the first time, and several other artists sang their parts for the first time this season-Martha Lipton, as Amneris (appearing in the role for only the second time, after a lapse of two years); Frederick Jagel, as Radames; and Lorenzo Alvary, as King of Egypt. Max Rudolf conducted Verdi's opera for the first time this season. Members of earlier casts were Gertrude Ribla in the title role; Francesco Valentino as Amonasro, Anne Bollinger as the Priestess, and Paul Franke as the Messenger.

Mr. Rudolf's achievement was most distinguished. To an unrehearsed performance he gave rhythmic firmness and élan, unusually successful balance between the voices and the orchestra, and tempos that were both judicious and theatrically appropriate. The players were even enabled to recover various expressive nuances they have been forgetting for a number of years.

Miss Lipton's Amneris was always musicianly, but it was small in vocal

scale and stiff in movement. She seemed to rely on learned devices of gesture rather than on genuine characterization. Mr. Vichegonov's Ramfis sounded sonorous, as nearly every Ramfis does, but he appeared to have no special convictions to give the role fresh importance.

Mr. Jagel, as for many seasons was again an admirable Radames singing with far more artistry of phrasing and effectiveness of impact than most of his contemporaries in the role, and making the warrior a credible stage figure. Mr. Alvary's King was sufficiently regal, and he vouchsafed some of his best singing

of the year.

Miss Ribla sang with an intensity and sincerity that were nothing short of thrilling, and acted with uncommon skill and consistency.



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