[Met Performance] CID:133110



Tosca
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, February 25, 1942




Tosca (257)
Giacomo Puccini | Luigi Illica/Giuseppe Giacosa
Tosca
Stella Roman

Cavaradossi
Jan Kiepura

Scarpia
Alexander Sved

Sacristan
Gerhard Pechner

Spoletta
Alessio De Paolis

Angelotti
Arthur Kent

Sciarrone
George Cehanovsky

Shepherd
Michael Kreatsoulas

Jailer
Wilfred Engelman


Conductor
Ettore Panizza







Review 1:

Review signed "K" in the Musical America of March 10, 1942

The sixth performance of `Tosca' this season, on Feb. 25, presented Jan Kiepura and Stella Roman in the chief roles for the first time in New York. Other details of the production were familiar. Alexander Sved repeated his sinister portrayal of Scarpia, utilizing his full voice to good advantage and often dominating the stage with his carefully planned impersonation.

Miss Roman brought to her new assignment the qualities which have characterized her other roles in the house. Her ample voice sounded well in the `Vissi d'arte,' which merited a storm of applause. The upper middle register of her voice was warm and exceedingly musical and, although the extreme top and bottom tones were inclined to constriction and whiteness, the general effect of her singing was rewarding. Histrionically she was adequate and there was nothing out of keeping in her conception.

The Cavaradossi of Mr. Kiepura was a vital one. He was almost too handsome in his well-fitting costume and his intensity gave fire to many of the scenes. Vocally he was at his best. His top tones were generally free, clear and full, and he did not disappoint the standees in his use of them. The applause of those standees was sufficient justification, perhaps, for the sobbing in which he indulged. But surely not even they would condone the ridiculous laugh and death cry with which this Cavaradossi met his fate. With so much talent, it was a pity Mr. Kiepura saw fit to reveal so little taste in his impersonation.

Arthur Kent, Gerhard Pechner, Alessio De Paolis, George Cehanovsky, Wilfred Engelman and Michael Kreatsoulas were heard in the lesser roles. Ettore Panizza conducted with his usual elan. If the singers were heard it was through no fault of his.



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