[Met Performance] CID:170930



Faust
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, February 16, 1956




Faust (541)
Charles Gounod | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Faust
Giuseppe Campora

Marguerite
Victoria de los Angeles

Méphistophélès
Jerome Hines

Valentin
Robert McFerrin

Siebel
Rosalind Elias

Marthe
Thelma Votipka

Wagner
Lawrence Davidson

Dance
Jean Lee Schoch


Conductor
Kurt Adler







Review 1:

Review of Edward Downes in The New York Times

Victoria de los Angeles brought more than her beautiful voice to the part of Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust" last night at the Metropolitan Opera House.

This was the first time she had sung the role this season. Her voice had its familiar limpid appeal and, aside from one or two pinched high notes, a beguiling ease of production.

The extra quality she brought to her interpretation was her ability to act with her voice.

In the "Jewel Song" of the garden scene for example, her tones had silvery brilliance. In the love music that followed her voice grew softer and warmer and the climax of passion reached, as it should be, in almost whispered pianissimo. There were still other colors for the agitation, surprise, and surrender of the close.

Miss de los Angeles' acting in the conventional sense was just that.

It had appeal because she is an appealing person, but her true acting was in her voice.

The role of Marguerite's brother, Valentin, was taken by the young baritone Robert Mc Ferrin. He was singing the part for the first time at the Metropolitan, He seemed a trifle stiff in the early scene with his big aria,

"Avant de quitter." However, his voice had an agreeably rich quality, and presumably both voice and acting will limber up with repetitions of the role.

Members of the cast who had sang their parts earlier this season were Giuseppe Campora, Jerome Hines, Rosalind Elias, Thelma Votipka, and Lawrence Davidson. Kurt Adler was the able conductor.



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