Turandot -- Metropolitan Opera, 01/04/10
Guleghina, Kovalevska, Licitra, Tian / Nelsons
It was no surprise to find, in last season's Queen of Spades, Maria Guleghina lacking in delicacy and romantic ardor. But to hear her in this performance having seemingly no high notes left, ducking loud climaxes, and otherwise short-changing the icy violence of the Princess Turandot was just shocking: Guleghina has always been, if nothing else, reliably loud and forceful. There was no illness notice -- did she sound like this in the moviecast?
Salvatore Licitra sang a pretty good account of Calaf, except... I wonder if his mistake was to try to sing all the separate syllables of "Nessun dorma"'s final "vincero". The big B came out quite poorly and the show went on after the aria with no applause whatsoever. Oops. Still, a decent night on the whole.
Maija Kovalevska -- a favorite at this blog -- was making her role debut as Liu. She certainly doesn't have as beefy a sound as her two aforementioned colleagues, but as ever sings with an eloquence neither can come close to matching. She got the only really enthusiastic response at curtain calls.
Kovalevska's (Latvian) countryman Andris Nelsons did a commendable job in the pit.
I have some thoughts on the piece, but they can wait for a better overall performance. Lise Lindstrom is scheduled for one more show in the title part at the end of the month: it's too bad I missed (from my own illness) her sole scheduled performance with Kovalevska last Saturday. Absent news that Guleghina was sick and is now quite better, I discourage seeing any non-Lindstrom Turandots.
Hey, I really like your blog! I think you do some really really REALLY amazing work here!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up and keep writing! =)
-NINA
http://pagefortheculturefreak.blogspot.com/
Simon Boccanegra?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteInquiring minds want to know!
Just watched Lucia di Lammermoor at the FGO TWICE this weekend. I purchased a monthly MetPlayer pass. Signed up on the iPhone for Sirius Met broadcasts (looking forward to tonight's Carmen broadcast). And look forward to Simon Boccanegra at the Saturday simulcast in my local cinemahouse.
ReplyDeleteOh Lord. I'm hooked on opera again, JSU. :)
Cheers,
Victoria
Great news, Vic!
ReplyDeleteBoccanegra was and should be very good. I should have a post on it tomorrow.
Can't wait for the Boccanegra review. :)
ReplyDeleteI listened to parts of Carmen on Monday (vying for attention, "24"), and was quite impressed by Borodina. Perhaps part of the surprise was due to the fact that I had read she wasn't going to be available to sing that night. Not the first time the Parterre folks were wrong, though.
Cheers,
Victoria
I just read in another comments section that the cinema simulcasts are $18. So, your thoughts on the production will be appreciated before I splurge. The box ticket for Lucia was $19 (!).
ReplyDeleteIt was actually $22 for an adult ticket, and can confirm that both auditoriums at the theatre at my chosen location are SOLD OUT. Woo! Very exciting. :)
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean you are or aren't going? If it's at the palatial one, it seems like a good deal...
ReplyDeleteSorry for the post delay: health acting up again. Should be up by tomorrow morning.
Tickets bought, albeit not at at the palatial theatre. That WOULD be lovely.
ReplyDeleteMy theatre is more local, which is just fine.
I thought I was going to be alone for the showing -- as I said, it came as a surprise to me that both auditoriums are completely sold out at 150 seats plus. The manager said it's a common occurence, and both auditoriums usually are packed. Yay.
My dear JSU! Please take care of yourself. I hope my newly-found enthusiasm didn't force you to write that review. I feel really bad now. :(
Feel better, and you know I miss you. Off to read the Simon Blackmouth review, with grateful thanks!
Heard from the Parterre crew that Ariadne was a disappointment. Ah well.
Cheers,
Victoria
Vic, hope you enjoyed Boccanegra. Do leave a comment on that post if you like.
ReplyDeleteI have a post soon about Ariadne. It was good.