[Met Performance] CID:180410



Tosca
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, December 6, 1958









Review 1:

Review of Frank Merkling Jr. in Musical America
The season's fifth performance of "Tosca" was supercharged with excitement. With Renata Tebaldi in the title role and Eugenio Fernandi, as Cavaradossi, the
cast included Tito Gobbi, as Scarpia, who was making his first appearance with the company after a season's absence.

Mr. Gobbi's voice sounded a little dry, and he did not produce a great deal of tonal color, but he was in such complete command of the role that his portrayal bore the stamp of authority from his first dramatic entrance. He did not make Scarpia the aristocrat that other singers have, nor did he go to the other extreme, making the villain a sadistic peasant. He chose rather a middle course, which on its own terms was highly creditable, and he and Miss Tebaldi brought to the supper scene a dramatic tension that was electrifying.

As for Miss Tebaldi, she was again a vocally glorious Tosca, and though Mr. Fernandi's Cavaradossi was not without its rough edges, he turned in an earnest and sincere performance, not without the necessary moments of trumpet-like tones.

Dimitri Mitropoulos' interpretation reflected the excitement of the evening. The remaining roles were filled by Clifford Harvuot, as Angelotti; Lawrence Davidson, as the Sacristan; Alessio De Paolis, as Spoletta; Osie Hawkins, as Sciarrone; Calvin Marsh, as the Jailer; and Peter Burke, as a Shepherd.


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