Guide
Key Word Search
Multi-Field Search
Browse
Met Opera on Demand
Sirius and XM
Repertory Report
Performers Report
Contacts
Met Opera Website
[Met Performance] CID:183600
Faust
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, December 24, 1959
Faust (562)
Charles Gounod | Jules Barbier/Michel Carr?
Review 1:
Review of John Ardoin in Musical America
This performance marked the first appearance of the season of Nicolai Gedda as Faust, George London as Mephistopheles, and Rosalind Elias as Si?bel. Mr. Gedda once again proved that he is one of the finest artists at the Metropolitan. He is a thorough musician whose innate good taste, perfect diction, and impeccable pitch are always a joy.
George London is one of those rare operatic artists whose acting is as fine as his singing. Every gesture is telling, every moment, meaningful. This, with his handsome voice, made the Devil an exciting characterization. Miss Elias was excellent in the role of Si?bel, although she was ill-advised to attempt the B flat in her flower aria. The remainder of the cast was familiar: Elisabeth Soederstroem, Robert Merrill, Thelma Votipka, and Roald Reitan. I can not agree with all of Jean Morel's tempos. He took the "Chorale des epees" too fast, but made up for it by taking the finale of the Kermesse too slow. The end of the "Jewel Song" was overly broad and his brisk tempos robbed the final trio of its majesty.
Search by season: 1959-60
Search by title: Faust,
Met careers
Faust
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, December 24, 1959
Faust (562)
Charles Gounod | Jules Barbier/Michel Carr?
- Faust
- Nicolai Gedda
- Marguerite
- Elisabeth S?derstr?m
- M?phistoph?l?s
- George London
- Valentin
- Robert Merrill
- Siebel
- Rosalind Elias
- Marthe
- Thelma Votipka
- Wagner
- Roald Reitan
- Dance
- Audrey Keane
- Conductor
- Jean Morel
Review 1:
Review of John Ardoin in Musical America
This performance marked the first appearance of the season of Nicolai Gedda as Faust, George London as Mephistopheles, and Rosalind Elias as Si?bel. Mr. Gedda once again proved that he is one of the finest artists at the Metropolitan. He is a thorough musician whose innate good taste, perfect diction, and impeccable pitch are always a joy.
George London is one of those rare operatic artists whose acting is as fine as his singing. Every gesture is telling, every moment, meaningful. This, with his handsome voice, made the Devil an exciting characterization. Miss Elias was excellent in the role of Si?bel, although she was ill-advised to attempt the B flat in her flower aria. The remainder of the cast was familiar: Elisabeth Soederstroem, Robert Merrill, Thelma Votipka, and Roald Reitan. I can not agree with all of Jean Morel's tempos. He took the "Chorale des epees" too fast, but made up for it by taking the finale of the Kermesse too slow. The end of the "Jewel Song" was overly broad and his brisk tempos robbed the final trio of its majesty.
Search by season: 1959-60
Search by title: Faust,
Met careers