Elvira is a somewhat more subtle artist but he simply lacks the vocal caliber and dramatic authority to be the Spanish despot, soon to be Holy Roman Emperor. His expressive range is narrow and his tone colorless. Mauro's tenor has size and penetration though not great volume or distinctive quality. Neither displayed the voice or the presence that should be expected of a Verdi singer in this house. However, it offers grand, supercharged opportunities for four well-matched singers who know the style and can convey the irresistibly muscular excitement that Verdi can arouse even in such early scores.Įrmanno Mauro and Pablo Elvira did not embarrass themselves as the bandit leader Ernani and as Don Carlo, the unpredictable King of Spain, but they are singers who by nature and nurture can aim little higher than solid routine. ''Ernani,'' like the Victor Hugo drama from which it derives, is a fustian work, hardly one of Verdi's more sophisticated works. But beyond them, the evening was not rich in Verdian talent. Plishka went considerably beyond adequacy in bringing his character to life. Miss Mitchell and Paul Plishka, who took the role of Silva, did what was required of them vocally and Mr. Miss Mitchell is now scheduled to sing all but two of the ''Ernani'' performances this season, with Aprile Millo taking over those. That crisis was solved comparatively easily, since Leona Mitchell, the Elvira of the 1983 premiere, was on hand and could be rushed into the role. This ''Ernani'' lost its scheduled leading lady, Montserrat Caballe, when the Spanish soprano had to return home for nasal surgery to correct a sinus condition.
A certain amount of slippage in vocal quality comes to be taken for granted, shrugged off even by audiences that should know better. As in last evening's ''Ernani,'' the first appearance this season for a production that was new in 1983, revivals often can offer only one or two internationally recognized stars. What happens in later seasons, however, often does not bear dwelling on.
THE Metropolitan Opera, like other major companies, can round up a strong cast for almost any new production.
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