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[Met Performance] CID:158890
Madama Butterfly
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, February 8, 1952
Madama Butterfly (314)
Giacomo Puccini | Luigi Illica/ Giuseppe Giacosa
Review 1:
Review of Ronald Eyer in Musical America
In the past Licia Albanese has always found one of her most congenial roles in the part of Cio-Cio-San. When she sang it for the first time this season, in the fifth performance of Puccini?s opera, she seemed better than ever. Her third act had its wonted dramatic power, while her first two acts had an added tenderness and honest pathos. Those movements that had sometimes seemed excessively theatrical had become more gentle and relaxed and seemed genuinely motivated. She sang most touchingly keeping within a limited range of dynamics.
The part of Pinkerton was taken for the first time at the Metropolitan by Brian Sullivan in this performance. The young American tenor looked handsome in his naval uniform, but otherwise he was as yet uncomfortable in the role. He was so preoccupied with getting his musical cues from the conductor and with the discomfort an ill-fitting collar was causing him that he neither sang nor acted with any conviction. By the end of the first act his sturdy voice maintained a line, but his high notes never did come free.
Margaret Roggero and John Brownlee made their first appearances this season as Suzuki and Sharpless, giving routine performances. Lucine Amara, Alessio de Paolis, George Cehanovsky, Norman Scott, and Algerd Brazis were the other singers. Fausto Cleva?s conducting had many offhand moments, but more often than not it exquisitely complemented Miss Albanese?s singing.
Search by season: 1951-52
Search by title: Madama Butterfly,
Met careers
Madama Butterfly
Metropolitan Opera House, Fri, February 8, 1952
Madama Butterfly (314)
Giacomo Puccini | Luigi Illica/ Giuseppe Giacosa
- Cio-Cio-San
- Licia Albanese
- Pinkerton
- Brian Sullivan
- Suzuki
- Margaret Roggero
- Sharpless
- John Brownlee
- Goro
- Alessio De Paolis
- Bonze
- Norman Scott
- Yamadori
- George Cehanovsky
- Kate Pinkerton
- Lucine Amara
- Commissioner
- Algerd Brazis
- Conductor
- Fausto Cleva
Review 1:
Review of Ronald Eyer in Musical America
In the past Licia Albanese has always found one of her most congenial roles in the part of Cio-Cio-San. When she sang it for the first time this season, in the fifth performance of Puccini?s opera, she seemed better than ever. Her third act had its wonted dramatic power, while her first two acts had an added tenderness and honest pathos. Those movements that had sometimes seemed excessively theatrical had become more gentle and relaxed and seemed genuinely motivated. She sang most touchingly keeping within a limited range of dynamics.
The part of Pinkerton was taken for the first time at the Metropolitan by Brian Sullivan in this performance. The young American tenor looked handsome in his naval uniform, but otherwise he was as yet uncomfortable in the role. He was so preoccupied with getting his musical cues from the conductor and with the discomfort an ill-fitting collar was causing him that he neither sang nor acted with any conviction. By the end of the first act his sturdy voice maintained a line, but his high notes never did come free.
Margaret Roggero and John Brownlee made their first appearances this season as Suzuki and Sharpless, giving routine performances. Lucine Amara, Alessio de Paolis, George Cehanovsky, Norman Scott, and Algerd Brazis were the other singers. Fausto Cleva?s conducting had many offhand moments, but more often than not it exquisitely complemented Miss Albanese?s singing.
Search by season: 1951-52
Search by title: Madama Butterfly,
Met careers