[Met Performance] CID:183600



Faust
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, December 24, 1959




Faust (562)
Charles Gounod | Jules Barbier/Michel Carré
Faust
Nicolai Gedda

Marguerite
Elisabeth Söderström

Méphistophélès
George London

Valentin
Robert Merrill

Siebel
Rosalind Elias

Marthe
Thelma Votipka

Wagner
Roald Reitan

Dance
Audrey Keane


Conductor
Jean Morel







Review 1:

Review of John Ardoin in Musical America
This performance marked the first appearance of the season of Nicolai Gedda as Faust, George London as Mephistopheles, and Rosalind Elias as Siébel. Mr. Gedda once again proved that he is one of the finest artists at the Metropolitan. He is a thorough musician whose innate good taste, perfect diction, and impeccable pitch are always a joy.

George London is one of those rare operatic artists whose acting is as fine as his singing. Every gesture is telling, every moment, meaningful. This, with his handsome voice, made the Devil an exciting characterization. Miss Elias was excellent in the role of Siébel, although she was ill-advised to attempt the B flat in her flower aria. The remainder of the cast was familiar: Elisabeth Soederstroem, Robert Merrill, Thelma Votipka, and Roald Reitan. I can not agree with all of Jean Morel's tempos. He took the "Chorale des epees" too fast, but made up for it by taking the finale of the Kermesse too slow. The end of the "Jewel Song" was overly broad and his brisk tempos robbed the final trio of its majesty.

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