This is Sunday...right? Oh, that is the most depressing day of the week, at least the evening hours. Having to anticipate another week of work is not something I look forward to these days. At least the beginning of the end of the 2002/2003 opera season got off to a good start last night, sort of. I have written my report on the evening and it follows.
La Cenerentola (Rossini)
Too bad the originally scheduled mezzo, Sonia Gannasi, didn’t sing last nights opening performance of the Rossini opera. As a result, this was a night for the men. Mika Shigematsu, sharing the title role with Theodora Hanslowe who steps in on June 19th) was barely able at times to get all the words and notes out. At times her mid-range reminded me a lot of Marilyn Horne. In fact, my friend agreed and added, including Marilyn’s pitch problems. Enough said there.
The men were gorgeous in all ways. We start here with tenor Juan Diego Florez making his SFO debut as Don Ramiro. From the moment he stepped on stage we could see how handsome this native of Lima, Peru, was from the rear of the balcony without binoculars, and then when he opened his mouth, what glorious sounds came forth! His Act 2 aria, “Sì. ritrovarla io guiro” became the show stopper of the night. Poor Alidoro (Aike Wilm Schulte) could only stand there from what must have seemed like an eternity before the applause and bravos died down. Florez' voice is pure and flows so effortlessly that we hope he does not sing roles unsuited for him thereby ruining this gem. Our find of the evening. Aike Wilm Schulte, was also making his SFO debut and his voice and vocal technique were outstanding. Interestingly his repertoire includes a wide range of roles from Beckmesser, Amfortas, Klingsor, and Kurwenal, to Germont, Faninal, and Rigoletto. He and Florez must be brought back to SFO post haste.
Daniel Belcher sang and acted well as Dandini and confused some in the audience by his switch in costumes. As the act drew to a close he and Florez had switched colors so when each came out for the final curtain calls, some people seemed to think they were seeing Florez and gave him a much louder ovation than what might have been expected. The ovation for Florez however, was loud and sustained.
Kevin Glavin (also in a SFO debut) sang Don Magnifico and while his voice lacked something in the bottom register the top was solid and secure.
Saundra DeAthos and Catherine Cook were the sisters, Clorinda and Tisbe.
The orchestra played very well except for one very unfortunate trumpet blooper. Patrick Summers conducted.
Next Saturday it is Berlioz' Damnation of Faust, not exactly an opera, more of an oratorio, so everyone is wondering how they are going to stage this.
Earlier today I decided to go see Matrix - Reloaded. I wish I hadn't. I guess I got it confused with another action movie of last year, one that starred Tom Cruise, not Keannu Reeves. That one had something to do with preventing crimes before they happened. I enjoyed that but not this mess. And to think I spent $15.01 for this plus popcorn and a soda and did not enjoy any of it. This almost makes me sick.
Well, tomorrow is another day.
No comments:
Post a Comment