[Met Performance] CID:170230
Faust {536} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/9/1955.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
December 9, 1955
FAUST {536}
Gounod-Barbier/Carré
Faust...................Giuseppe Di Stefano
Marguerite..............Dorothy Kirsten
Méphistophélès..........Jerome Hines
Valentin................Frank Guarrera
Siebel..................Mildred Miller
Marthe..................Thelma Votipka
Wagner..................Lawrence Davidson
Dance...................Jean Lee Schoch
Conductor...............Pierre Monteux
Director................Peter Brook
Designer................Rolf Gérard
Choreographer...........Zachary Solov
Staged by...............Robert Herman
Faust received eight performances this season.
Review of Henry W. Levinger in the Musical Courier
Gounod's "Faust" in last season's new "mise en scène" by Peter Brook made its re-entry into the repertoire. All the objections vented then by this reporter against the staging still stand. By the same token, however, one has to acknowledge that Mr. Monteux directs the score with great delicacy if not with abundant dramatic impact. This year the title role was sung by Giuseppe Di Stefano, who has rejoined the Metropolitan roster. His voice has exceptional sweetness and beauty, but for the more dramatic accents of this assignment he lacks power and therefore often resorts to pushing, which does not enhance the quality of his singing. Dorothy Kirsten as Marguerite sang beautifully. Though sometimes one could wish for more warmth, the fine vocal production and her tasteful acting made for an excellent stage delineation. Jerome Hines was Mephisto. His excellent vocal means are always evident, but his interpretation lacks demoniac power and a convincing suggestion of evil. Frank Guarrera as Valentine was excellent vocally and histrionically. Mildred Miller was pleasant to ear and eye as Siebel. Thelma Votipka as Martha and Lawrence Davidson as Wagner competed the cast. The chorus (Kurt Adler, chorus master) and the ballet (choreography by Zachery Solov) did themselves proud.