Metropolitan Opera Archives

Cavalleria Rusticana received fifteen performances this season.
Pagliacci received fifteen performances this season.

Review 1:

Review of Everett Helm in the December 1962 issue of Musical America

That inseparable pair, "Cav" and "Pag," made their first appearance this season on October 27. Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" has always seemed to me a very dull affair, and it was no less so in this tired old production. The slow start was made ludicrous by the way in which the chorus slumped in and out, showing nothing but complete indifference and singing much the same way. In fact the chorus' singing throughout was as sloppy and perfunctory as the staging in general. Done in this routine, unimaginative way, the work is insupportable.

Again it was the singing that saved the day. Rita Gorr as Santuzza sang musically but with a certain edge in her voice that was rather unpleasant. Rosalind Elias as Lola and Lili Chookasian as Lucia were first class both as singers and actors. Lorenzo Testi was a good Alfio, and Barry Morell, who had sung that afternoon in "Butterfly," proved to be an excellent Turiddu.

Fausto Cleva deserves considerable credit for his excellent, concentrated but not exaggerated conducting of the twin bill. In Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," attention was focused on Raina Kabaiwanska, who made her Met debut as Nedda. And a very successful debut it was. The Bulgarian soprano in her mid-20s is dark, pretty and trim of figure. She can also act. As Nedda she was a sensuous, passionate creature; as Columbine she was completely puppetlike. Most important of all, of course, she can sing. Her pleasant voice, well produced and controlled, on the whole, is backed up by excellent musicianship and phrasing. Hers is not a "big" voice, but it carries well, even in the softest passages. Only occasionally was there a slight deviation from the pitch, caused by a slight wobble and an occasional spread on the top notes. Both of these small flaws in an otherwise splendid performance may have been caused by "debutitis." In all events, Miss Kabaiwanska is someone to watch.

The rest of the cast contributed to a vocally exciting performance: Carlo Bergonzi as Canio, Mario Sereni as Tonio, George Shirley as Beppe and Norman Mittelmann as Silvio.

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