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Le Nozze di Figaro
Chicago Civic Opera House, Chicago, Illinois, Mon, March 22, 1943
Le Nozze di Figaro (79)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Lorenzo Da Ponte
- Figaro
- Ezio Pinza
- Susanna
- Bid? Say?o
- Count Almaviva
- John Brownlee
- Countess Almaviva
- Eleanor Steber
- Cherubino
- Jarmila Novotna
- Dr. Bartolo
- Salvatore Baccaloni
- Marcellina
- Irra Petina
- Don Basilio
- Alessio De Paolis
- Antonio
- Louis D'Angelo
- Barbarina
- Marita Farell
- Don Curzio
- John Garris
- Peasant
- Mona Paulee
- Peasant
- Lillian Raymondi
- Dance
- Julia Barashkova
- Dance
- Mary Smith
- Dance
- James Lyons
- Dance
- Allan Wayne
- Conductor
- Bruno Walter
Review 1:
Review of Herman Devries in the Chicago Herald-American
Pinza Stands Out in Met's "Marriage of Figaro"
The return of the Metropolitan Opera Association, headed by General Manager Edward Johnson, was hailed by our operagoers as an event second in importance only the visit of Mme. Chiang Kai-shek to the Stadium last night.
"Le Nozze di Figaro" at the Civic Opera House was chosen for the grand [first night] and though it must be stated that in our vast theater some of the delicacy and flavor of the Mozart music was lost, the performance, as a whole went with a lot of vim and the opera was certainly well rehearsed.
Ezio Pinza's Figaro is a creation of mirth and melody. His booming and expressive voice, his natural stage deportment and the force of his personality made his presence felt so palpably that the personages surrounding him were almost eclipsed vocally and quasi-engulfed histrionically.
A close rival in verve and charm was the Susanna of Bidu Sayao, a captivating actress of frail, though pure crystalline vocalism.
The Cherubino of Jarmila Novotna is not a character that suits the style of the fair Czech singer. Her figure and manner are too unbending for the antics and caprices of the youth of Beaumarchais' story.
Eleanor Steber's fine voice and excellent method of singing are greatly in her favor, but a more artistic conception of how Countess Almaviva should be gowned and coifed would gain her considerably more importance in this music-comedy.
Her consort in the opera, John Brownlee, did what he could with his role, but it was left to Salvatore Baccaloni, Irra Pettina, Louis d'Angelo and more especially to Alessio de Paolis to make their respective roles stand out as examples of high comedy.
The great Bruno Walter will find his success later in the season when he conducts operas of more dramatic import.
Search by season: 1942-43
Search by title: Le Nozze di Figaro,
Met careers
- Bruno Walter [Conductor]
- Ezio Pinza [Figaro]
- Bid? Say?o [Susanna]
- John Brownlee [Count Almaviva]
- Eleanor Steber [Countess Almaviva]
- Jarmila Novotna [Cherubino]
- Salvatore Baccaloni [Dr. Bartolo]
- Irra Petina [Marcellina]
- Alessio De Paolis [Don Basilio]
- Louis D'Angelo [Antonio]
- Marita Farell [Barbarina]
- John Garris [Don Curzio]
- Mona Paulee [Peasant]
- Lillian Raymondi [Peasant]
- Julia Barashkova [Dance]
- Mary Smith [Dance]
- James Lyons [Dance]
- Allan Wayne [Dance]