[Met Performance] CID:139470
Don Giovanni {123} Boston Opera House, Boston, Massachusetts: 04/9/1945.
(Review)
Boston, Massachusetts
April 9, 1945
DON GIOVANNI {123}
Don Giovanni............Ezio Pinza
Donna Anna..............Florence Kirk
Don Ottavio.............Charles Kullman
Donna Elvira............Eleanor Steber
Leporello...............Salvatore Baccaloni
Zerlina.................Nadine Conner
Masetto.................Mack Harrell
Commendatore............Norman Cordon
Conductor...............Bruno Walter
Review of Cyrus Durgin in the Boston Globe
"Don Giovanni"
The Metropolitan Opera's "Don Giovanni" at the Boston Opera House last night proved highly satisfying and, in overall quality, the most distinguished performance of the engagement so far. Once again the conductor was Bruno Walter, making his only appearance here this season. In the role of Donna Anna the young dramatic soprano, Florence Kirk, made her Boston debut. Eleanor Steber gave the local public first hearing of her Donna Elvira.
The excellence of the Metropolitan's "Don Giovanni" continues to stem principally from, Ezio Pinza's dashing performance of the title part. Mr. Walter's mellow and loving direction, and the uproariously funny Leporello of Salvatore Baccaloni. These three set the pace and mood for the entire evening.
Mr. Pinza represents an extraordinary combination of superb musicianship and brilliant acting. Mr. Baccaloni cannot move without being funny, and last night his singing was better in that the resonant bass voice has lost the wobble that once threatened to mar it. As for Mr. Walter, his conducting has everything of authority, style and grace - as well as intensity.
Miss Kirk has a lovely voice, although it is not extraordinarily big. Her high tones gave her a little difficulty and tend to spread. The savage outcry, "Or sai chi l'onore," demands voice and more voice; Miss Kirk did quite well by it and made even better effect with Donna Anna's "Nom mi dir," Miss Steber continues to improve. Her acting of Donna Elvira shows a gain in emotional projection; her singing of "Mi tradi" was able.
A little more temperament in "Dalla sua pace" and "Il mio Tesoro" would not have spoiled the excellent style with which Charles Kullman, as Don Ottavio, sang those peerless tenor arias. The Zerlina of Nadine Conner - apart from a little trouble in the middle of "Batti, batti" was admirable, and Mack Harrell's Masetto was fun.
The production scenically needs touching up here and there, but it suffices. The roast in the dinner scene was tremendous. Had it been real you would say the Metropolitan is throwing its red points around.