Metropolitan Opera Archives

Review 1:

Review of Robert Sabin in Musical America
Two Metropolitan "firsts" had been scheduled for this performance, and two there were — but not the two that had been planned! Thelma Votipka took the role of Mirabella for the first time, as scheduled, but the other "first" was Ralph Herbert, who replaced Walter Slezak, who was indisposed, as Szupan. William Olvis, who had been scheduled to sing Barinkay for the first time, was also indisposed, so Nicolai Gedda stepped back into his familiar role.

Both of the newcomers were completely charming. Miss Votipka not only had the ample girth required for the role but an ample and fresh-sounding voice to go with it, and her Mirabella won many a chuckle from the audience. Mr. Herbert (who knows the Strauss operettas in their authentic Viennese style) was a lusty Szupan, who could really sing the part. Other principals, in familiar roles, were Lisa Della Casa (Saffi), Regina Resnik (Czipra), and Laurel Hurley (Arsena).

There were actually two other "firsts", Lolita San Miguel and Donald Martin, in the Gypsy solos in Acts I and II. They danced them with an animal intensity combined with a cleanness of line and phrasing that made them look much better than they had at the premiere, performed by less finished artists. Violette Verdy, partnered by Scott Douglas, was as enchanting as ever in the Court Ballet. Erich Leinsdorf obtained a spirited performance from the tireless Metropolitan Opera orchestra.

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