[Met Performance] CID:100400



Martha
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, November 28, 1928


In Italian



Martha (90)
Friedrich von Flotow | Friedrich Wilhelm Riese
Lady Harriet
Frances Alda

Lionel
Beniamino Gigli

Nancy
Ina Bourskaya

Plunkett
Giuseppe De Luca

Sir Tristram
Pompilio Malatesta

Sheriff
Louis D'Angelo

Maid
Flora Cingolani

Maid
Lavinia Puglioli

Maid
Agnes Moore

Servant
Vincenzo Reschiglian


Conductor
Tullio Serafin


Director
Wilhelm Von Wymetal

Set Designer
Joseph Urban





Martha received three performances this season.

Review 1:

Review signed R.N. P. in The Wall Street Journal

Comic Opera at the Metropolitan

An expert cast and the fine conducting of the indefatigable Mr. Serafin succeed in breathing life into the sprightly old melodies of von Flotow's "Martha." As presented by the Metropolitan Opera Co. this international affair composed by a German in the Italian manner, on an English theme, with the principal roles sung by two Italians, a Russian and an Australian, ranks with "La Rondine" and "The Bartered Bride" in the company's roster of comic operas.

Mme. Alda, although not the ideal Martha, sings at times charmingly, but in her ensemble singing a note of shrillness creeps into her voice. She does not show the same astonishing improvement here that has marked her appearances heretofore this season. Her rendition of "The Last Rose of Summer" was received with applause.

Mr. Gigli, perhaps owing to the exertion of singing two leading roles in two consecutive evenings, was a little hoarse, but he sang with dramatic fervor at the last performance of this opera. He seems to be resorting more and more to a trick of sobbing his higher notes, a mannerism that becomes tiresome. As usual, "M'Appari" received an ovation.

No greater praise can be given Miss Bourskaya's impersonation of Nancy than to say that she made the role thoroughly amusing, though the recollection of Kathleen Howard's rendition is still fresh. Mr. De Luca sang with the taste and ease which is always expected of him.

The gay-colored stage settings of Joseph Urban were thoroughly in the mood of the piece and the action of the stage crowds directed by Mr. von Wymental was convincing.



Search by season: 1928-29

Search by title: Martha,



Met careers