[Met Performance] CID:186860



Simon Boccanegra
Metropolitan Opera House, Tue, January 17, 1961




Simon Boccanegra (44)
Giuseppe Verdi | Francesco Maria Piave/Arrigo Boito
Simon Boccanegra
Anselmo Colzani

Amelia
Zinka Milanov

Gabriele Adorno
William Olvis

Jacopo Fiesco
Cesare Siepi

Paolo Albiani
Ezio Flagello

Pietro
Norman Scott

Maid
Athena Vicos

Captain
Robert Nagy


Conductor
Nino Verchi







Review 1:

Review of Francis D. Perkins in the New York Herald Tribune

Zinka Milanov In Her First Role of the Season

Zinka Milanov made her first appearance of the season at the Metropolitan Opera House last night when she sang Amelia in the fourth 1960-61 performance of Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra," in which Cesare Siepi was the Fiesco, a role which he had not previously sung here. Anselmo Colzani had made his Metropolitan debut last April in the title role, but had not been heard in it earlier in the present operatic year.

Miss Milanov gave Amelia a distinct, positive and appealing personality, with emotionally communicative singing which showed her in her best vocal form, both in quality and phrasing. Her tones, apart from an occasional slight edge, had an ingratiating timber; the volume of tone was generous, but employed with general discretion and an understanding of fine points of dynamics and color.

Mr. Siepi's singing lacked some of the clarity which marks it when heard at its best, but both from a vocal and a visual point of view his Fiesco was convincing for its expressive sincerity and notable dignity; his aria, "Il lacerato spirito" had an undemonstrative eloquence. Mr. Colzani's Simon showed an admirable gain over his impersonation of the role last spring. His pleasing voice has advanced in power, and a hint or two of effort had vanished before the scene in the Council chamber. Here his singing and demeanor had dramatic intensity and authority, while his recognition of Amelia as his daughter was usually persuasive.

William Olvis, reappearing as Gabriele, sang with ample emotional conviction and tones that were generally engaging and freely produced; some unevenness in the top notes was the only drawback in the use of this promising voice. Ezio Flagello was an effective Paolo with Norman Scott as Pietro and Robert Nagy and Athena Vicos in the other roles, and Nino Verchi conducted a superior and well integrated performance.



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