LA NACIÓN
(July 10, 1949)



Partial view of Teatro Colón's auditorium.

     LA NACIÓN: "The Colón performs excerpts from three operas".

     The gala performance last night in the Teatro Colón, commemorating the anniversary of Independence, was attended by the highest authorities of the nation—as we mentioned in the review of that day. They performed a musical program consisting of excerpts from three operas which rightfully are among the most famous and representative of the composers. Norma by Bellini, a magnificent work of art fashioned according to the style of the old Italian operatic school, is based on a French tragedy by Soumet. We heard the overture, and then from the first act, the aria where the protagonist Norma sings the prayer "Casta diva", personified by the Greek singer Maria Callas, an artist well-known by our audience, who in this scene showed her best vocal and dramatic ability—as we noted when the complete opera was performed a few days ago. The bass Nicola Rossi-Lemeni sang the role of Oroveso with a large voice, which he managed with exquisite ability and musical style. As usual, the support of the chorus was very efficient.
     Following that excerpt, they performed a scene from the second act of Faust by Gounod where the renowned Argentine soprano Helena Arizmendi effectively interpreted the role of Marguerite in the well-known "Jewel Song". Here she showed praiseworthy evolution of her resources, realized by a clear and expressive vocal organ, very secure and uniform in the amplitude of the register. Finally, they offered the third act of the lyric drama Turandot by Puccini, that had also been performed during the season. Here they had greater opportunity to show off the sopranos Maria Callas in the role of Turandot, which she did with authority, and Helena Arizmendi in the role of the slave Liù, who was convincing and emotional—as we had expressed in the previous review of the performance. With these artists also sang, in order of their respective voices: the tenor Mario del Monaco (an artist of great merit, who used his best interpretative talent at the service of the character Prince Calaf), Virgilio Tavini, Renato Cesari (effective and very expressive).
     With the orchestral direction, the maestri Héctor Panizza and Tullio Serafin (who have great knowledge of these scores) contributed from the pit to the success of this evening, which was reciprocated by applause from the large audience.