[Met Performance] CID:186620



La Bohème
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, December 24, 1960




La Bohème (585)
Giacomo Puccini | Luigi Illica/Giuseppe Giacosa
Mimì
Renata Tebaldi

Rodolfo
Eugenio Fernandi

Musetta
Laurel Hurley

Marcello
Clifford Harvuot

Schaunard
Roald Reitan

Colline
Nicola Moscona

Benoit
Gerhard Pechner

Alcindoro
Norman Kelley

Parpignol
Hal Roberts

Sergeant
Lloyd Strang

Officer
John Frydel


Conductor
Thomas Schippers







Review 1:

Review of Martin Bernheimer in the New York Herald Tribune

Renata Tebaldi Sings Mimi in 'La Bohème' at the Met

Renata Tebaldi's first Mimi of the season in "La Bohème" Saturday night supplied the Metropolitan Opera with its Christmas Eve drawing card. News was also made, however, by the last minute substitution of Clifford Harvout for the indisposed Lorenzo Testi as Marcello. Although Mr. Harvout had impersonated the painter before in special student matinees, this was his official debut in the part.

Miss Tebaldi was in relatively good voice, and there is no question that she pleased her many admirers. The tender Puccini heroine suits her temperament, and the quieter moments such as the Act Three farewell were exquisite. Although her histrionic technique is of the stand-and-smile variety, and although she is not exactly frail either in voice or in appearance, Miss Tebaldi was a touching and dignified Mimi.

The soprano has been having some trouble with top tones lately. Most of Mimi lies comfortably for her, but the role does pose a problem or two. The exposed High C at the end of Act One, for instance, was avoided by a downward transposition of a half-tone, and - even at that - Miss Tebaldi attacked it from below.

Like most other current Metropolitan Rodolfos, Eugenio Fernandi also sang his aria lower than written. His vocalism, however, was as beautiful as his acting was awkward. This is considerable. Mr. Harvout indicated that the promotion from his customary "Bohème" assignment, the smaller role of Schaunard, was deserved. Otherwise, the familiar cast included Nicola Moscona's authoritative Colline and Laurel Hurley, Roald Reitan, Gerhard Pechner, and Norman Kelley in the remaining important roles. Thomas Schippers again conducted.



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