Metropolitan Opera Archives

Review 1:

Review signed L. T, in the Herald Tribune
Hilde Gueden Is Sophie In Met’s “Rosenkavalier”

For the first time last night, Hilde Gueden sang the role of Sophie in the Metropolitan Opera Company’s production of “Der Rosenkavalier.” She had been prevented by illness from appearing in the season’s first two presentations. Jarmila Novotna carried the important role of Octavian for the first time this season, doing so in splendid fashion. The part of the Tenor, scheduled for Thomas Hayward, was sung instead by Giulio Gari, because of Mr. Hayward’s indisposition, and the orchestra was once more under the direction of Fritz Reiner.

Miss Gueden’s portrayal was a fetching one, visually and vocally pretty, although it lacked something of the positive assurance that familiarity with the role will undoubtedly bring, for it is a part well suited to her gifts. Her upper voice, in general, sounded with the most satisfying clarity, the lower tones tending occasionally to lose themselves behind the orchestra. But this tendency waned as the opera progressed, and her performance grew both theatrically and musically more round and comfortable.

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