[Met Performance] CID:176700
La Bohème {549} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/6/1958.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
January 6, 1958
LA BOHÈME {549}
Mimì....................Licia Albanese
Rodolfo.................Giulio Gari
Musetta.................Brenda Lewis
Marcello................Frank Guarrera
Schaunard...............Clifford Harvuot
Colline.................Nicola Moscona
Benoit..................Lawrence Davidson
Alcindoro...............Lorenzo Alvary
Parpignol...............Robert Nagy
Sergeant................Ezio Flagello
Officer.................Robert Nagy
Conductor...............Thomas Schippers
Review of Francis D. Perkins in the Herald Tribune
Miss Albanese Sings Mimi Role In Met 'Bohème'
Licia Albanese, making her first appearance of the season in the Metropolitan Opera House sang Mimi in last night's s repetition of Puccini's "La Bohème." Brenda Lewis, returning to the company after two seasons' absence, was the Musetta. When Daniele Barioni became indisposed yesterday, Giuseppe Campora was called upon to replace him, but he also was unwell, and Giulio Gari substituted as Rodolfo.
Miss Albanese's impersonation of Mimi has a distinct personality and persuasive pathos; her expressively sensitive singing conveyed the emotions of the role. Her voice was not at its best in regard to tone, what with occasional opacity and unsteadiness, although the basic quality was appealing. Mr. Gari's Rodolfo showed dramatic understanding; his singing was mainly pleasing, while varying in tonal clearness. Miss Lewis' Musetta was vivacious, sometimes over-acted; her waltz song was effective but rather hard in its top notes.
Frank Guarrera fared commendably as Marcello, with Clifford Harvuot as Schaunard, Nicola Moscona as Colline and Messrs. Davidson, Nagy, Alvary and Flagello in other roles. The musical balance was usually good under Thomas Schippers' conductorship, but the opera's livelier episodes had less momentum than in its two previous performances of the season.