Calderoni's carnival carousal

Abstract

On their return from Tripoli where the Company made a huge success, Elvio Calderoni's troupe produced five more operettas (two of them repeat performances) at the Radio City Opera House. In Kalman's "La Contessa Maritza" there was a lack of confidence on the part of some of the cast, and soprano Franca Diani was this time really voiceless. However, the scarce public closed an eye (though vainly opened their ears!) and accepted benevolently the actress's sympathetic performance in the name part. Tenor Cecchini in the exhausting role of the Fattore was good throughout the three acts and gained warm applause. Calderani was very outstanding in the first act and Sollazzo enlivened the last. Kalman's music is of course delightful, especially the tune "Maschere", but the orchestra suffered from under-rehearsal.