Metropolitan Opera Archives

Back in the repertory after a year's absence, Verdi's "La Traviata" was performed yesterday at the Metropolitan Opera House in the first matinee of the season with an American trio of principals: Anna Moffo as Violetta, Jan Peerce as Alfredo and Robert Merrill as the senior Germont.

Miss Moffo, in the role of her Metropolitan debut two years ago, gave it an impersonation which, from a visual aspect, combined attractiveness with distinct personality. Emotional persuasion was also apparent in the color, expressive shading and musicianship which marked the use of her noteworthy voice. There was, indeed, an occasional touch of edginess in her upmost tones, but vocal appeal was constantly in evidence in her well schooled singing, which had some of its most convincing illustrations in ingratiating and subtly shaded soft passages.

Mr. Peerce was in admirable vocal form, singing with engaging tonal freedom and an expressive communication which also characterized his interpretation from a dramatic standpoint. Mr. Merrill sang proclamatively with imposing volume of tone, while Dorothy Coulter fared well as Annina and Joan Wall, Gabor Carelli, Calvin Marsh, George Cehanovsky, Louis Sgarro and others completed the cast. The tempi were orthodox and the vocal and instrumental balance was well maintained under Nino Verchi's conductorship.

Search by season: 1961-62

Search by title: La Traviata,

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