[Met Performance] CID:183770



Der Zigeunerbaron
Metropolitan Opera House, Sat, January 9, 1960


In English



Der Zigeunerbaron (7)
Johann Strauss II | Ignaz Schnitzer
S?ndor Barinkay
Nicolai Gedda

Saffi
Lisa Della Casa

Czipra
Regina Resnik

K?lm?n Zsup?n
Ralph Herbert

Arsena
Laurel Hurley

Ottokar
Paul Franke

Mirabella
Thelma Votipka

Carnero
Ezio Flagello

Homonay
Roald Reitan

Mih?ly
Robert Nagy

Emperor
Alessio De Paolis

Sergeant
William Stanz

Pali
Erich Birlenbach

Chamberlain
Rudolf Mayreder

Peasant
Nancy Reep

Peasant
Dina De Salvo

Dance
Scott Douglas

Dance
Donald Martin

Dance
Lolita San Miguel

Dance
Violette Verdy


Conductor
Erich Leinsdorf







Review 1:

Review of Robert Sabin in Musical America
Two Metropolitan "firsts" had been scheduled for this performance, and two there were ? but not the two that had been planned! Thelma Votipka took the role of Mirabella for the first time, as scheduled, but the other "first" was Ralph Herbert, who replaced Walter Slezak, who was indisposed, as Szupan. William Olvis, who had been scheduled to sing Barinkay for the first time, was also indisposed, so Nicolai Gedda stepped back into his familiar role.

Both of the newcomers were completely charming. Miss Votipka not only had the ample girth required for the role but an ample and fresh-sounding voice to go with it, and her Mirabella won many a chuckle from the audience. Mr. Herbert (who knows the Strauss operettas in their authentic Viennese style) was a lusty Szupan, who could really sing the part. Other principals, in familiar roles, were Lisa Della Casa (Saffi), Regina Resnik (Czipra), and Laurel Hurley (Arsena).

There were actually two other "firsts", Lolita San Miguel and Donald Martin, in the Gypsy solos in Acts I and II. They danced them with an animal intensity combined with a cleanness of line and phrasing that made them look much better than they had at the premiere, performed by less finished artists. Violette Verdy, partnered by Scott Douglas, was as enchanting as ever in the Court Ballet. Erich Leinsdorf obtained a spirited performance from the tireless Metropolitan Opera orchestra.

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