[Met Performance] CID:189040
La Traviata {456} Matinee ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 10/28/1961.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
October 28, 1961 Matinee
LA TRAVIATA {456}
Giuseppe Verdi--Francesco Maria Piave
Violetta................Anna Moffo
Alfredo.................Jan Peerce
Germont.................Robert Merrill
Flora...................Joan Wall
Gastone.................Gabor Carelli
Baron Douphol...........Calvin Marsh
Marquis D'Obigny........George Cehanovsky
Dr. Grenvil.............Louis Sgarro
Annina..................Dorothy Coulter
Giuseppe................Lou Marcella
Gardener................John Trehy
Conductor...............Nino Verchi
Director................Tyrone Guthrie
Stage Director..........Michael Manuel
Set designer............Oliver Smith
Costume designer........Rolf Gérard
Choreographer...........Zachary Solov
La Traviata received sixteen performances this season.
Review of Francis D. Perkins in the Herald Tribune
'La Traviata' Is Sung at Met Matinee
Back in the repertory after a year's absence, Verdi's "La Traviata" was performed yesterday at the Metropolitan Opera House in the first matinee of the season with an American trio of principals: Anna Moffo as Violetta, Jan Peerce as Alfredo and Robert Merrill as the senior Germont.
Miss Moffo, in the role of her Metropolitan debut two years ago, gave it an impersonation which, from a visual aspect, combined attractiveness with distinct personality. Emotional persuasion was also apparent in the color, expressive shading and musicianship which marked the use of her noteworthy voice. There was, indeed, an occasional touch of edginess in her upmost tones, but vocal appeal was constantly in evidence in her well schooled singing, which had some of its most convincing illustrations in ingratiating and subtly shaded soft passages.
Mr. Peerce was in admirable vocal form, singing with engaging tonal freedom and an expressive communication which also characterized his interpretation from a dramatic standpoint. Mr. Merrill sang proclamatively with imposing volume of tone, while Dorothy Coulter fared well as Annina and Joan Wall, Gabor Carelli, Calvin Marsh, George Cehanovsky, Louis Sgarro and others completed the cast. The tempi were orthodox and the vocal and instrumental balance was well maintained under Nino Verchi's conductorship.