[Met Performance] CID:197500
Falstaff {68} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/12/1964.
(Review)
Metropolitan Opera House
March 12, 1964
FALSTAFF {68}
Giuseppe Verdi--Arrigo Boito
Sir John Falstaff.......Fernando Corena
Alice Ford..............Gabriella Tucci
Ford....................Mario Sereni
Dame Quickly............Regina Resnik
Nannetta................Judith Raskin
Fenton..................Luigi Alva
Meg Page................Rosalind Elias
Dr. Cajus...............Paul Franke
Bardolfo................Andrea Velis
Pistola.................Norman Scott
Conductor...............Leonard Bernstein
.Review of Conrad S. Susa in Musical America
Fernando Corena played his first Met Falstaff on March 12, the second performance of the new Zeffirelli production. Since the part is written for a high baritone and Mr. Corena is a bass-baritone, one might say that the match was not always satisfactory. A certain strain was noticeable, but this may have had to do with his debut. Mr. Corena also seemed a little vague about his blocking, but he didn't make up for it with any outrageous antics. In fact, he was generally too reserved for man whose drum was the world itself.
The other members of the cast were the same as for the first performance, and they all did admirably, especially Judith Raskin, who floated more of the pianissimos which have made her famous this season. Leonard Bernstein and the orchestra were in great form too.