[Met Performance] CID:124380



Orfeo ed Euridice
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, December 21, 1938




Orfeo ed Euridice (43)
Christoph Willibald Gluck | Ranieri de' Calzabigi
Orfeo
Kerstin Thorborg

Euridice
Irene Jessner

Amore
Marisa Morel

Happy Shade
Marita Farell

Dance
Felia Dubrovska

Dance
Grant Mouradoff


Conductor
Artur Bodanzky







Review 1:

Review of Pitts Sanborn in the World-Telegram

"Orfeo" Given Once Again at the Met

Opera is Regarded as Great Artistic Credit to the House

Once more "Orfeo" held the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House last evening, and the many merits of the production must have been duly appreciated by a large number of those present. Artistically this "Orfeo" is a great credit to the house.

Nevertheless, without regard to what purists may think, some of us find the first curtain in the present Metropolitan version weak, The departure of Orpheus for Hades without a valedictory song just isn't the best of theater.

The florid air long interpolated at this point - it is now reattributed, I believe, to Gluck - and delivered, we are told, with tremendous effect by Pauline Viardot in the Paris revival of the work at the Theatre Lyrique in 1859, is too difficult for any singer but a great vocal executant.

Also some conductors think its style inappropriate. Arturo Toscanini in the Metropolitan revival of 1909 substituted the thrilling "Divinities du Styx" and it made an exciting curtain.

Under his direction this air was sung by Louise Homer and Margaret Matzenauer. Marie Delna in her two appearances at the Metropolitan sang instead an air from Gluck's "Echo et Narcisse."

Now that the Metropolitan has successfully revived "Orfeo," one hopes that the management will see its way clear to produce Gluck's "Alceste," It was proposed for last season with Gina Cigna and Rene Maison in the chief roles, but nothing resulted. Unfortunately Mme. Cigna is no longer a member of the Metropolitan company.



Search by season: 1938-39

Search by title: Orfeo ed Euridice,



Met careers