Metropolitan Opera Archives

Cavalleria Rusticana received seven performances this season.
Pagliacci received six performances this season.

Review 1:

Review of Peter Davis in Musical America

With several newcomers in important parts, "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" returned to the Met on March 11. The "Pagliacci" performance was definitely a cut above average. Franco Corelli's Canio was, with one exception, sung and acted with an unrivalled vocal splendor and passionate involvement. The more is the pity that "Vesti la giubba" was delivered as a veritable orgy of sobbing, gasping, sighing, staggering, and carryings-on that reduced the scene to ridiculous nonsense. Lucine Amara brought her best singing of the season to Nedda and, in addition, presented an extremely interesting and subtly executed character study of the part. In his second assignment with the company Nicolae Herlea proved to be an outstanding Tonio in all respects. I have not heard the "Prologue" bettered since Leonard Warren's days, and the baritone also displayed some very positive dramatic qualities. Franco Ghitti made his debut as Beppe and tossed off his "Serenade" most elegantly. Calvin Marsh completed the cast as a first-rate Silvio.

"Cavalleria" was altogether a more restrained performance. Eileen Farrell seemed somewhat edgy on top, but her Santuzza was intelligently vocalized and her characterization simple but effective. Turiddu is not ideally suited to Arturo Sergi's small but sweet, lyrical voice, and he appeared a bit bemused by the events on stage. Joann Grillo presented her initial Lola, with Cesare Bardelli (Alfio ) and Carlotta Ordassy (Lucia) rounding out the cast. Nello Santi's orderly but limp and uninspired conducting was little cause for rejoicing.

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