What do you call a bunch of big-name stars going through the motions?
What else but Opening Night.
It's always a risk with a gala in this potpourri format -- the last two seasons' Verdi openers have been much more interesting -- but having two headliners who don't seem to care much for the house doesn't help. (Yes, I hold a grudge for this, as I'm sure she does for that wig.) What worked? Graham's Cherubino. Marco Berti's thrilling yells (who is this guy?). Some other parts, but little on the whole.
Looking ahead, I've thought that this upcoming Met season is the most consistently- and best-cast in a long time, despite the lack of exciting novelties. But the spirit of routine could sink all that too, if we're unlucky.
UPDATE (9/24): This, however, seems a fair evaluation of some unfair criticism. Gheorghiu's instrument is lyric -- it doesn't cut into one's ear -- but very clearly audible as Tosca nonetheless.
"What do you call a bunch of big-name stars going through the motions? What else but Opening Night."
ReplyDeleteGotta admit, I read this one when you posted it, and got to laughing so hard over the opening line, I couldn't comment right then.
A truly priceless original quote!