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Licia Albanese's Violetta in Verdi's "La Traviata" at the Metropolitan Opera House yesterday afternoon shared honors with Jan Peerce's Alfredo and Lawrence Tibbett's Giorgio Germont, if it did not, indeed, outshine them. From the duet in the first act with Mr. Peerce, and the aria, "Ah, fors ? lui," to the farewell aria in the last act (fourth in the Metropolitan's version) and the following duet, "Parigi, o cara," Miss Albanese gave a superb vocal performance.

The soprano's singing, however, was not without its flaws, for there were rough spots, especially in the first act, with tones definitely off pitch. Sometimes, in the expression of passion, the lovely lyrical voice became not merely dramatic but a trifle hard. On the other hand, there were places of exquisite delicacy and in the ecstatic moments the voice took on a velvety quality and richness that gave unusual dramatic force to the singing. Miss Albanese received deserved ovations.

Mr. Peerce and Mr. Tibbett, both in fine voice, did their usual excellent singing and aroused enthusiasm in the audience that filled the house. George Cehanovsky gave a laudable performance as Baron Duphol, and Thelma and Mona Paulee as Flora Bervoix and Annima, respectively. Louis D'Angelo replaced John Baker as the Marquis D'Obigny and Lorenzo Alvary took Mr. D'Angelos's place as Dr. Grenvil.

Cesare Sodero conducted. The orchestra deserves special praise.

Forty-one "Singing Waves" replaced the Metropolitan chorus in singing the "Star Spangled Banner" at the beginning of the performance. The young women, who come from seventeen States, are members of the Twenty-First Regiment of Waves. They were the guests of the Metropolitan Opera Guild and of George A. Sloan, president of the Metropolitan Opera Association, at the performance.

Search by season: 1943-44

Search by title: La Traviata,

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