[Met Performance] CID:147630
La Bohème {414} Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia: 04/3/1948.
(Review)
Atlanta, Georgia
Fox Theatre
April 3, 1948
LA BOHÈME {414}
Mimì....................Licia Albanese
Rodolfo.................Jussi Björling
Musetta.................Frances Greer
Marcello................John Brownlee
Schaunard...............George Cehanovsky
Colline.................Giacomo Vaghi
Benoit..................Melchiorre Luise
Alcindoro...............Melchiorre Luise
Parpignol...............Anthony Marlowe
Sergeant................Lawrence Davidson
Conductor...............Giuseppe Antonicelli
Unsigned review in the Atlanta Constitution
OVERFLOW AUDIENCE
"La Bohème" Triumphs As Opera Season Closes
Licia Albanese and Jussi Bjoerling Saturday night climaxed a brilliant season of Grand Opera in Atlanta when they gave truly a thrilling performance as lovers in Puccini's tuneful opera, "La Bohème," at the Fox Theater.
It was a great triumph for the stars, and a real treat for the overflow audience as the Met joined all its forces to make the season's finale one of the top musical experiences of the year.
Tenor Bjoerling, as Rodolfo, was the first to make his mark. He stopped the show midway in the first act with his love song to little Mimi. Then, before the wild applause hardly had died down, Miss Albanese as Mimi, stopped the show again with the beloved aria, "Si, mi chimano Mimi." The ovation was terrific.
With the ice broken, other members of the cast took turns in the spotlight. Next was Frances Greer, soprano star from Arkansas, who won an ovation for her singing of Musetta's "Waltz Song." John Brownlee, as Marcello, George Cehanovsky, as Schaunard, and Anthony Marlowe, as Parpignol, also won enthusiastic response from the audience.
It was an appreciative audience that duplicated the enthusiasm shown by Friday night's overflow throng. There was no doubt that the enthusiasts really enjoyed what they saw and heard.
"Bohème" was a perfect choice for the season's finale. Its lively action and carefree spirit swept the appreciative audience along with its rapid pace. Not once during its four acts did the excellent cast allow interest in the moving tragedy to lag.
It was an opera that appealed to its listeners and the Met made the most of that fact.
Overall, Bohème" was no better than "Lucia" which was given Friday night. But it was just as good. In both operas a perfect balance was found between the various elements of production. Both operas exploited a wealth of dramatic talent, excellent singing, good direction and orchestral accompaniment.
But "Bohème" had the distinction of bringing out easily the most brilliant audience of the entire season. Evening gowns, tuxedos and full dress suits were more in evidence Saturday night than at any previous performance.
Giuseppe Antonicelli conducted the orchestra. He gave a skillful reading of the lyrical Puccini score and he gave understanding support to the singing stars. Desire Defrere was stage director.