[Met Performance] CID:153150



Faust
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, March 11, 1950




Faust (475)
Charles Gounod | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Faust
Charles Kullman

Marguerite
Nadine Conner

Méphistophélès
Nicola Moscona

Valentin
Frank Guarrera

Siebel
Anne Bollinger

Marthe
Claramae Turner

Wagner
John Baker


Conductor
Wilfred Pelletier







Review 1:

Cecil Smith in Musical America

In a handsome, new costume that was neither the traditional black nor red, but a quiet, sophisticated green, Nicola Moscona made his three hundredth appearance at the Metropolitan in the role of Mephistopheles in the season's sixth presentation of Gounod's  “Faust.” His dominating presence, knowledgeable style and

ample vocal resources gave the role a stature it particularly needed in the Metropolitan's scrappy, helter-skelter staging. It would be rewarding to see Mr. Moscona in a “Faust” performance that permitted some sort of ensemble playing, of give and take between the characters.

 

On this occasion, however, it was a matter of sink or swim – every man and every woman for himself and herself. In the midst of the untidy charade, Nadine Conner's Marguerite was a delightful foil for Mr. Moscona's vigorous deviltries, and the only other performance that was entirely satisfying in itself. The part of Marguerite is ideal for Miss Conner's genuine and artless personality, and she sang entrancingly from her first phrases in the Kermesse scene to the climactic measures of the final trio. She has, in fact, never sung more beautifully in her entire career at the Metropolitan, maintaining the rarest purity of tone at all times, coloring her voice sympathetically, and – perhaps surprisingly – always mustering sufficient volume to override the orchestra in fortissimo passages Not in many seasons have the quiet passages of the garden scene been delivered with a pianissimo of such a gleaming tonal sheen, and her development of the long crescendo to the high C at the end of the scene was in the great tradition of the role.

 

Charles Kullman sang the title part for the first time this season. Nobody could gainsay his competence and authority, but he projected little romantic illusion, and his voice sounded tired, except in a few free and robustly projected high tones. Anne Bollinger, Frank Guarrera, Claramae Turner, and John Baker rounded out the cast. Wilfred Pelletier conducted.



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