[Met Performance] CID:176720



La Forza del Destino
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, January 8, 1958

Debut : William Wilderman




La Forza del Destino (91)
Giuseppe Verdi | Francesco Maria Piave
Leonora
Mary Curtis-Verna

Don Alvaro
Carlo Bergonzi

Don Carlo
Mario Sereni

Padre Guardiano
William Wilderman [Debut]

Preziosilla
Bel?n Amparan

Fra Melitone
Fernando Corena

Marquis de Calatrava
Louis Sgarro

Curra
Madelaine Chambers

Trabuco
Paul Franke

Surgeon
Calvin Marsh


Conductor
Fritz Stiedry





William Wilderman's last name was sometimes spelled Wildermann.

Review 1:

Review of Frank Merkling Jr. in Musical America

There were four changes of cast in this, the season's fourth and broadly shaped performance of "La Forza del Destino." As Padre Guardiano, William Wilderman made his debut at the Metropolitan; and Carlo Bergonzi, as Don Alvaro, and Mario Sereni, as Don Carlo, sang their respective roles for the first time with the company. In addition, Louis Sgarro was appearing for the first time this season in the brief role of the Marquis of Calatrava.

Mr. Wilderman's wide experience in opera served him well for this occasion. He began with a little tonal roughness, and the weight of his voice was somewhat overbalanced by Mary Curtis-Verna, as Leonora, in the scene before the church of the Madonna degli Angeli, but after his initial nervousness was over, he sang with tonal opulence and feeling for the text. His acting was dignified and always in character, though his facial make-up made him look more like Santa Claus than an Abbot.

The evening's vocal honors went to Mr. Bergonzi. His warm and caressing tone was a joy to hear, and his fortissimos, often bringing cheers from the audience, were as exciting as his pianissimos. Mr. Sereni's voice and acting seemed a little pale, though he showed he understood his part's basic format. With a few more performances under his belt, he should be completely convincing. As has been characteristic of her work in the past, Miss Curtis-Verna gave a distinguished and tasteful portrayal, and in the last act she sang some truly ethereal pianissimos.

The remaining cast members were all familiar, including Fernando Corena, as Fra Melitone, and Belen Amparan, as Preziosilla. Fritz Stiedry conducted with his usual authoritative manner.



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