[Met Performance] CID:167790
Aida {584} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/27/1955.
(Debut: Robert McFerrin
Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
January 27, 1955
AIDA {584}
Giuseppe Verdi--Antonio Ghislanzoni
Aida....................Herva Nelli
Radamès.................Kurt Baum
Amneris.................Blanche Thebom
Amonasro................Robert McFerrin [Debut]
Ramfis..................Norman Scott
King....................Luben Vichey
Messenger...............James McCracken
Priestess...............Rosalind Elias
Dance...................Mia Slavenska
Dance...................Larry Boyette
Dance...................Louis Kosman
Conductor...............Fausto Cleva
Review signed A. R. in Musical America
The repetition of Verdi's opera had as its principal feature the debut with the company of Robert McFerrin as Amonasro. This capable young baritone is the second Negro artist to be heard with the company, the first having been Marian Anderson, a few days previously. Mr. McFerrin has a smooth and rich voice with a virile timbre, if one a bit light for this role. Winner of 1953 Auditions of the Air, he sang with refined artistry, making a particular impression with his resonant top tones, though he needed greater dramatic forcefulness.
The cast otherwise included artists heard previously in their assignments: Herva Nelli (Aida), Blanche Thebom (Amneris), Kurt Baum (Radames), Norman Scott (Ramfis), Luben Vichey (King), James McCracken (Messenger), and Rosalind Elias (Priestess). Fausto Cleva conducted.