[Met Performance] CID:176700



La Bohème
Metropolitan Opera House, Mon, January 6, 1958




La Bohème (549)
Giacomo Puccini | Luigi Illica/Giuseppe Giacosa
Mimì
Licia Albanese

Rodolfo
Giulio Gari

Musetta
Brenda Lewis

Marcello
Frank Guarrera

Schaunard
Clifford Harvuot

Colline
Nicola Moscona

Benoit
Lawrence Davidson

Alcindoro
Lorenzo Alvary

Parpignol/Officer
Robert Nagy

Sergeant
Ezio Flagello


Conductor
Thomas Schippers







Review 1:

Review of Francis D. Perkins in the Herald Tribune

Miss Albanese Sings Mimi Role In Met 'Bohème'

Licia Albanese, making her first appearance of the season in the Metropolitan Opera House sang Mimi in last night's s repetition of Puccini's "La Bohème." Brenda Lewis, returning to the company after two seasons' absence, was the Musetta. When Daniele Barioni became indisposed yesterday, Giuseppe Campora was called upon to replace him, but he also was unwell, and Giulio Gari substituted as Rodolfo.

Miss Albanese's impersonation of Mimi has a distinct personality and persuasive pathos; her expressively sensitive singing conveyed the emotions of the role. Her voice was not at its best in regard to tone, what with occasional opacity and unsteadiness, although the basic quality was appealing. Mr. Gari's Rodolfo showed dramatic understanding; his singing was mainly pleasing, while varying in tonal clearness. Miss Lewis' Musetta was vivacious, sometimes over-acted; her waltz song was effective but rather hard in its top notes.

Frank Guarrera fared commendably as Marcello, with Clifford Harvuot as Schaunard, Nicola Moscona as Colline and Messrs. Davidson, Nagy, Alvary and Flagello in other roles. The musical balance was usually good under Thomas Schippers' conductorship, but the opera's livelier episodes had less momentum than in its two previous performances of the season.



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