Word: macneill
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...Chorus of Clouds, superbly led by Elizabeth MacNeil, collide harshly to produce thunder, gesture formally in their odes, and dance gracefully to pipe and drums in their lovely pastel costumes (by Sheila Finn). And Nick Boone has achieved a wide variety of effects with only nine lights...
...MacNeil is the most promising U.S. baritone to frisk through the operatic pea patch since George London rose to fame. In the last four years, in a series of guest appearances with the Chicago and San Francisco Operas, he has been treated to a steady chorus of critical huzzas. His recording of The Girl of the Golden West (with Tebaldi for London) has been lavishly praised. Currently, he is negotiating a contract with the Metropolitan...
...Scala debut last week MacNeil was in typically impressive form: his rich, flexible baritone soared and swelled with enormous power; his acting had about it a quality of vibrant conviction that dominated the stage. Once he moved the house to bravos. Few in the audience realized that MacNeil was there for merely a one-shot appearance, was not given a rehearsal with the cast or orchestra. And few but La Scala's sharpest critical ears detected that MacNeil speaks no Italian, has to learn his roles by rote. Said MacNeil modestly: "There isn't much acting required...
...Minneapolis dentist, Cornell MacNeil took occasional voice lessons as a boy, later went to trade school and took a wartime job as turret-lathe operator. When he was working around New York, he tried out for roles in a few musicals, met his wife when he was singing in a stock-company production of The Student Prince: "We were sitting on a wardrobe trunk, and it became plain that it would be easier to lean on each other than sit up straight. This led, eventually, to five kids...
...MacNeil's first break was his selection by Gian Carlo Menotti for the role of the husband in The Consul. On Menotti's advice, he studied opera seriously for 2½ years while working nights at a Bulova Watch plant making analogue digital computers. With some misgivings, he finally gave up his $200-a-week job with Bulova to become a regular member of the New York City Opera. MacNeil now specializes in Verdian roles, plans at last to learn Italian. "Once," he recalls ruefully, "I was singing Traviata and flung my hand out because the music felt...