[Met Performance] CID:168160
Il Barbiere di Siviglia {264} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/4/1955.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
March 4, 1955
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA {264}
Figaro..................Frank Guarrera
Rosina..................Lily Pons
Count Almaviva..........Eugene Conley
Dr. Bartolo.............Fernando Corena
Don Basilio.............Nicola Moscona
Berta...................Sandra Warfield
Fiorello................George Cehanovsky
Sergeant................Alessio De Paolis
Ambrogio................Rudolf Mayreder
Conductor...............Pietro Cimara
Review signed C. B. in Musical America
This performance of Rossini's opera marked the season's bow of Lily Pons, who sang the role of Rosina. Eugene Conley appeared as Almaviva for the first time this year, and Sandra WarfieId sang her first Berta. They were joined by Frank Guarrera, as Figaro, and Fernando Corona, as Dr. Bartolo.
All in all, the evening was an uneven one for nearly all concerned. Miss Pons, looking every bit the part in the beautifully executed costumes of Eugene Berman, portrayed Rosina with her customary skill and charm. She also contributed moments of sparkling vocalism, particularly in her "Una voce poco fa." which brought forth silvery tones with a minimum of effort. Otherwise she appeared to be saving her voice and energy for solo passages, and in ensembles like that concluding the second act was only barely audible. Mr. Conley started off rather tentatively in the first act but became more assured and vocally assertive later on.
Both Mr. Guarrera and Mr. Corona made some additions to the stage business. Mr. Corona, who is one of the very best Bartolos the Metropolitan has had in recent years, revealed skill in improvising occasional embellishments upon Cyril Ritchard's brilliant staging, while Mr. Guarrera's clowning was for the most part overdone. Nicola Moscona was an engaging Don Basilio, and Miss WarfieId did nobly by her solo opportunity in the third act. Pietro Cimara conducted the opera for the first time this season.