[Met Performance] CID:240450



Boris Godunov
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, February 6, 1975

Debut : Paul La Medica




Boris Godunov (180)
Modest Mussorgsky | Modest Mussorgsky
Boris Godunov
Jerome Hines

Prince Shuisky
Robert Nagy

Pimen
Paul Plishka

Grigory
William Lewis

Marina
Klara Barlow

Rangoni
Morley Meredith

Varlaam
Raymond Michalski

Simpleton
Nico Castel

Nikitich
Andrij Dobriansky

Mitiukha
Edmond Karlsrud

Shchelkalov
Arthur Thompson

Innkeeper
Shirley Love

Missail
Paul Franke

Officer
Richard Best

Xenia
Loretta Di Franco

Feodor
Paul La Medica [Debut] [Debut and only performance]

Nurse
Cynthia Munzer

Boyar in Attendance/Khrushchov
Robert Schmorr

Lavitsky
Robert Goodloe

Chernikovsky
Charles Anthony


Conductor
Thomas Schippers







Review 1:

Allen Hughes in The New York Times
Met ?Boris Godunov? A Sumptuous Work

Based on the Metropolitan Opera's performance of Mussorgsky?s "Boris Godunov" on Thursday night, it could be said that the company's new production of the work is so sumptuous it is becoming to anyone involved in it.


A wholesale change of cast brought seven singers into roles they had not done here previously and Jerome Hines into the title role for the first time.


The relative strengths and weaknesses, the emphasis of specific dramatic values and the array of vocal colors, certainly differed greatly from those of the cast that gave the first performances this season. Nevertheless, this cast was unified in spirit and its interpretations was marked by integrity.


Mr. Hines's portrayal was detailed, thoughtful and seemed deeply felt, and his signing was smooth and secure. Still, his was not the kind of spectacular performance that makes the personality of Boris dominate the entire opera. Fortunately, this is not necessary.


Klara Barlow, the Marina, and William Lewis, the Dimitri were well paired vocally and temperamentally, and Morley Meredith was suitably sinister as Rangoni.


Newcomers to the scene in the inn were Shirley Love, the hostess, and Raymond Michasksi as Varlaam... Others new to their assignments were Arthur Thompson (Shchilkalov), Loretta Di Franco (Xenia) and Paul La Medica (Feodor, son of Boris). All three did well, with special credit going to Mr. Thompson for a suave performance.


The lion?s share of the credit for the quality of the performance belonged to Thomas Schippers, the conductor, who had everything under taut and beautifully balanced control.



Search by season: 1974-75

Search by title: Boris Godunov,



Met careers