Metropolitan Opera Archives

Franco Corelli, handsome Italian tenor, sang Radames at the Metropolitan Opera in a repeat production of Verdi's "Aida." His deep blue costume of the first act and his

glittering silver one of the second, lent theatrical support to the realization of his role. The feeling of majestic strength, projected through the visual adjuncts, was readily matched by the tenor's powerful, clear and forceful sounds. Subtlety, however, is the one quality Mr. Corelli does not as yet possess, and it is this lack of vocal refinement that marred an otherwise stimulating performance.

Also making his first appearance in the production was Ezio Flagello as Ramfis. His voice carried a steady, well-focused tone.

Singing her first Aida of the season was Leonie Rysanek, looking most beautiful and acting the role with unusual restraint and nobility. If her voice tends, at times, to waver from pitch - if the shifting of registers is not as smooth as might be wished, still that insinuating, liquid and exquisitely transparent vocal timbre which is the Rysanek hallmark, shone through.

Luben Vichey, who was to have sung his first King of the season, was replaced by Louis Sgarro. Irene Dalis was again on hand as the treacherous Amneris and Anselmo Colzani was the effective Amonasro. George Schick led the orchestra with accustomed brilliance.

Search by season: 1961-62

Search by title: Aida,

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