[Met Performance] CID:79980



Ernani
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, January 28, 1922 Matinee










Review 1:

Review of Oscar Thompson in Musical America

Ruffo in 'Ernani'

When the greatest possible number or standees had been admitted to the Metropolitan Saturday afternoon, attendants cleared the lobby of hundreds of disappointed ones. The reason for the crush was the first appearance of Titta Ruffo in "Ernani," the Verdi opera which General Manager Gatti-Casazza revived especially for Ruffo, but which was given without him at its first two representations because of the baritone's stubborn indisposition. The throng about the rail was as vociferous as it was dense and piled demonstration on demonstration in behalf of the big-voiced Tuscan.

Regally costumed and of kingly bearing, Ruffo made something more dramatically of the r?le of Don Carlos than his predecessor did, but, truth to tell, he did not sing it as well. There were indications that he was not in his best voice; per example, his failure to seize upon the opportunity to sing the optional high A-natural in "O Sommo Carlo," an opportunity seldom overlooked by baritones who have this note in their compass - as Ruffo proved he had, a year ago, when he sang it in Iago's "Brindisi" in "Otello." Of more concern, however, than this omission, was his rhythmic uncertainty, his savage dismemberment of "Lo Vedremo," and his lack of fluent lyricism in "Vieni Meco, Sol di Rose." The cast, otherwise, was the same as at earlier performances, with Rosa Ponselle as Elvira, Giovanni Martinelli as Ernani and Jose Mardones as Silva. Mr. Papi conducted.



Search by season: 1921-22

Search by title: Ernani,



Met careers