Word: mezzos
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...dyer and his sensuous wife (Baritone Walter Berry and Soprano Christa Ludwig), and the go-between world of an emperor and his wife (Tenor James King and Soprano Leonie Rysanek). The empress, alas, is without a shadow-she cannot bear children-and with the aid of a Mephistophelean nurse (Mezzo-Soprano Irene Dalis) she attempts to divest the dyer's wife of her shadow with promises of riches. In the end, after wading knee-deep through a quagmire of symbolism, all parties are appeased, and the two couples are elevated into an MGM sunrise, singing their heads...
...best-known aria (in the Dance of the Blessed Spirits) is reserved for a flute. Renato Fasano and the Virtuosi di Roma give a pastel but translucent orchestral performance, almost otherworldly, as befits the score. Unfortunately, the singers are a bit too bloodless, even the promising young mezzo, Shirley Verrett, who sings Orfeo...
...most convincing characterization was Jeanine Crader's Phedre, really the only role of any dimension. Though a small-voiced mezzo, she turned on her contralto chest tones when the occasion demanded, bravely sacrificing tonal purity for dramatic effect. The Thesee of baritone George Fouree was excessively forced, with no top notes; probably he was preoccupied with flailing the devils sailing over his head. Boris Carmeli (Pluton), Carol Bogard (Diana) and Norman Kelly (Tsiphone) were all effective in their smaller parts...
Married. Giulietta Simionato, 55, Italian mezzo-soprano, who this week ends her 30-year career in European and U.S. opera with a farewell performance of La Clemenza di Tito at La Piccola Scala; and Cesare Frugoni, 84, retired Rome physician; both for the second time; in Rome...
Married. Nan Merriman, 45, mezzo-soprano whose abrupt retirement last April ended a brilliant 25-year concert career; and Tom Brand, 48, Dutch tenor; he for the second time (his first wife died in 1963, leaving ten children); in Heerlen, The Netherlands...