Metropolitan Opera Archives

Lorenzo Alvary added another fine impersonation to his rapidly expanding repertoire on this occasion with his first appearance in the difficult and touchy role of Varlaam. The great problem in this part is to strike the right balance between oafishness and slapstick comedy. Properly done, Varlaam requires no overt clowning. Sufficient humor emerges naturally in a simple, unadorned performance of the drunken wayfarer and his blowsy songs just as they were set down by Mussorgsky. Obviously aware of these facts, Mr. Alvary sagely permitted the character to speak for itself and thereby obtained a truer, and thereby a more comic, effect than could be achieved by any number of antic routines. He also sang, rather than bellowed, the music, which was refreshing.

Assuming the title role for the second time this season, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni confirmed earlier impressions of the intensity of his dramatic perception. As Boris grappled deep in the darkness of his tortured soul, Mr. Rossi-Lemeni artfully set forth in turn his superstition, his hysterical fears, his sudden, typically schizophrenic change of mood from normal father-love for his son to blind rage against Shuiski and the fate that confronts him. It was a moving, almost frightening performance and its

climactic moments held the audience breathless.

Others in the familiar cast were Charles Kullman, Mildred Miller, Giulio Gari, Genevieve Warner, Jean Madeira. Blanche Thebom, Clifford Harvout, and Paul Franke. Fritz Stiedry conducted.

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