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Aida
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, November 22, 1951
Debut : Nell Rankin
Aida (533)
Giuseppe Verdi | Antonio Ghislanzoni
- Aida
- Zinka Milanov
- Radam?s
- Mario Del Monaco
- Amneris
- Nell Rankin [Debut]
- Amonasro
- George London
- Ramfis
- Jerome Hines
- King
- Luben Vichey
- Messenger
- Paul Franke
- Priestess
- Lucine Amara
- Dance
- Janet Collins
- Conductor
- Fausto Cleva
Review 1:
Review of Harold C. Schonberg in The New York Times
NELL RANKIN BOWS IN RESTAGED 'AIDA'
Nell Rankin, young mezzo-soprano from Montgomery, Ala., made her debut last night at the Metropolitan Opera House as Amneris in the company's restaged "Aida."
The cast otherwise was a carryover from previous performances this season. Zinka Milanov sang the title role, Mario Del Monaco was heard as Radames, George London as Amonasro, Jerome Hines as Ramfis, Lubomir Vichegonov as the King and Lucine Amara as the Priestess. Paul Franke made a last-minute substitution in the role of the Messenger for Thomas Hayward, who was indisposed.
It was not altogether fair to Miss Rankin to be plunged into so demanding a part with so little experience. Admittedly, the strain of a debut took its toll, but there were further indications that the gifted young singer is not yet ready for such ambitious parts. Her middle range sounded tentative, nor was there enough vocal authority for her to compete on even ensemble terms with Mr. Del Monaco or Miss Milanov, both of whom virtually drowned her out in the first and second act trios.
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