Comments on: to bis or not to bis http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/ where opera is king and you, the readers, are queens Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:15:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: armerjacquino http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-5/#comment-13154 armerjacquino Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:11:54 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13154 I think you mean 'criterion', harry, love. I think you mean ‘criterion’, harry, love.

]]> By: Thackeray Nomi http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-5/#comment-13149 Thackeray Nomi Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:38:02 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13149 Stella Barbare - Barbara Hendricks was by far the most amusing and quick-minded soprano I ever met professionally. Behind that reserved exterior is a sharp brain and a quick, even sassy wit. Not the world's greatest voice or interpreter, perhaps (though her Liu with Karajan is rather lovely), but one can understand why journalists who met her were so taken with her. Stella Barbare – Barbara Hendricks was by far the most amusing and quick-minded soprano I ever met professionally.

Behind that reserved exterior is a sharp brain and a quick, even sassy wit. Not the world’s greatest voice or interpreter, perhaps (though her Liu with Karajan is rather lovely), but one can understand why journalists who met her were so taken with her.

]]> By: Keithmc http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-5/#comment-13145 Keithmc Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:54:22 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13145 What a wanker. What a wanker.

]]> By: Lucky Pierre http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-5/#comment-13134 Lucky Pierre Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:53:59 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13134 speaking of vulgar, you guys are aware that the word comes from the volga river, and its barbaric tribe, the vulgar/bulgars, from which we got the word bugger (originally to imply a heretic, later, a sexual heretic). today, the country of bulgaria... speaking of vulgar, you guys are aware that the word comes from the volga river, and its barbaric tribe, the vulgar/bulgars, from which we got the word bugger (originally to imply a heretic, later, a sexual heretic). today, the country of bulgaria…

]]> By: Stella Barbare http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13113 Stella Barbare Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:31:24 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13113 harry, i'm not saying the incident you describe didn't happen. what i'm saying is that it says nothing about who ghena was. so once, backstage, some stranger tried to say hi to her, and she brushed him off, saying she didn't speak english. so what? that means nothing in terms of who she was. not one incident. i went backstage to meet barbara hendricks once. she seemed to have a cold. she signed my program but declined to chitchat with me. so what? i'm not going to conclude from this one incident that she's the devil incarnate, she's haughty, unfriendly or whatever. who knows what was going on in her mind that day? i don't know dimitrova. i'm not saying she's a nice person or she's not. just saying that one incident that you describe doesn't prove anything. and btw, i remember a story in opera news in the 90's, in which the write did say she did not speak english, just bulgarian, spanish and italian. harry, i’m not saying the incident you describe didn’t happen. what i’m saying is that it says nothing about who ghena was. so once, backstage, some stranger tried to say hi to her, and she brushed him off, saying she didn’t speak english. so what? that means nothing in terms of who she was. not one incident.

i went backstage to meet barbara hendricks once. she seemed to have a cold. she signed my program but declined to chitchat with me. so what? i’m not going to conclude from this one incident that she’s the devil incarnate, she’s haughty, unfriendly or whatever. who knows what was going on in her mind that day?

i don’t know dimitrova. i’m not saying she’s a nice person or she’s not. just saying that one incident that you describe doesn’t prove anything.

and btw, i remember a story in opera news in the 90′s, in which the write did say she did not speak english, just bulgarian, spanish and italian.

]]> By: harry http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13088 harry Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:10:36 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13088 armerjacquino, using your Comment #35 criteria:'Are you stating that everything stated by the contributors ....is perhaps untruthful or pure contrived fiction ....is that your contention? One could therefore in response ask ..'Are you then also, but a manifested figment of some electronic gilch; that happens from time to time on the internet highway'? Do you actually exist? armerjacquino retorted: "Harry- this is the internet. We still don’t know if it’s true." armerjacquino, using your Comment #35 criteria:’Are you stating that everything stated by the contributors ….is perhaps untruthful or pure contrived fiction ….is that your contention?
One could therefore in response ask ..’Are you then also, but a manifested figment of some electronic gilch; that happens from time to time on the internet highway’? Do you actually exist?

armerjacquino retorted:
“Harry- this is the internet. We still don’t know if it’s true.”

]]> By: WindyCityOperaman http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13077 WindyCityOperaman Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:15:29 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13077 Does anyone remember the late Michele Molese? He was an American-born tenor who sang a lot with NYCO and other companies and was Hoffman in a BBC opera television production (with Geraint Evans and Elizabeth Harwood as nemises and heroine). All the pazzo stuff associated with Bonisolli reminds me of the weird antics Molese did, including yelling stuff back at the audience. Always wondered if Molese had a screw loose. Does anyone remember the late Michele Molese? He was an American-born tenor who sang a lot with NYCO and other companies and was Hoffman in a BBC opera television production (with Geraint Evans and Elizabeth Harwood as nemises and heroine). All the pazzo stuff associated with Bonisolli reminds me of the weird antics Molese did, including yelling stuff back at the audience. Always wondered if Molese had a screw loose.

]]> By: Santuzza Credimi http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13052 Santuzza Credimi Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:12:05 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13052 Ironically, 1 chorus of Di quella pira with a bis is what the uncut score calls for Manrico to sing - allowing a couple of lines from Leonora between the 2 parts, which contributes to the excitement of the piece. And the interpolated high C only occurring in the repeat makes more sense. Disappointingly, the 2nd chorus and of course Leonora's interjection are usually cut. Ironically, 1 chorus of Di quella pira with a bis is what the uncut score calls for Manrico to sing – allowing a couple of lines from Leonora between the 2 parts, which contributes to the excitement of the piece. And the interpolated high C only occurring in the repeat makes more sense. Disappointingly, the 2nd chorus and of course Leonora’s interjection are usually cut.

]]> By: Regina delle fate http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13050 Regina delle fate Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:20:24 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13050 Bonisolli is also the Alfredo on Freni's underappreciated Berlin Traviata conducted by Gardelli with Bruscantini as Giorgio. He sang a lot at Covent Garden. As well as Manrico, Calaf and Vasco da Gama, I think he sang a run of Toscas - also with Dame Gwyn - Sure he was vulgar, but he was fearless, too. We could do with a Calaf like him now. I remember his leather boots and open shirt in L'Africaine and the hair was hilarious. He also looked as he was wearing a merkin on his chest. Bonisolli is also the Alfredo on Freni’s underappreciated Berlin Traviata conducted by Gardelli with Bruscantini as Giorgio. He sang a lot at Covent Garden. As well as Manrico, Calaf and Vasco da Gama, I think he sang a run of Toscas – also with Dame Gwyn – Sure he was vulgar, but he was fearless, too. We could do with a Calaf like him now. I remember his leather boots and open shirt in L’Africaine and the hair was hilarious. He also looked as he was wearing a merkin on his chest.

]]> By: armerjacquino http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13042 armerjacquino Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:50:03 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13042 Harry- this is the internet. We still don't know if it's true. Harry- this is the internet. We still don’t know if it’s true.

]]> By: Ginevra http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13040 Ginevra Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:17:00 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13040 I saw Bonisolli twice, once in London as Calaf, with Gwynneth Hones as Turandot...yes he was a scene-stealer, but a crowd-pleaser. The other time was in Verona as Radames....he sounded wonderful, but hard to comment on his musicianship there, with the vague acoustics. I really like his singing on the recording of Leoncavallo's La Boheme, with Lucia Popp. I saw Bonisolli twice, once in London as Calaf, with Gwynneth Hones as Turandot…yes he was a scene-stealer, but a crowd-pleaser. The other time was in Verona as Radames….he sounded wonderful, but hard to comment on his musicianship there, with the vague acoustics.

I really like his singing on the recording of Leoncavallo’s La Boheme, with Lucia Popp.

]]> By: Figliaimpura http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13030 Figliaimpura Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:42:44 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13030 What a vulgarian. He can hardly keep in time with the orchestra. A terrible musician. I remember seeing him on a trip to London once in Trovatore where he cut off the mezzo's applause after her aria. The audience did not let him away with it with much booing after his vulgar display in "Di quella pira". I simply don't understand such a singer - like operatic porn............ and not in a good way! What a vulgarian. He can hardly keep in time with the orchestra. A terrible musician.
I remember seeing him on a trip to London once in Trovatore where he cut off the mezzo’s applause after her aria. The audience did not let him away with it with much booing after his vulgar display in “Di quella pira”. I simply don’t understand such a singer – like operatic porn………… and not in a good way!

]]> By: harry http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-13012 harry Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:28:15 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-13012 Ms Creant: I think I have every right to believe it to be true. The person Ms Dimitova encountered , also happens be my partner of some 20 years! Ms. Creant screeched: harry, your anecdote tells us nothing about the lady. we don’t know what the context or circumstances of that incident are, or even if it’s true. Ms Creant: I think I have every right to believe it to be true. The person Ms Dimitova encountered , also happens be my partner of some 20 years!
Ms. Creant screeched:
harry, your anecdote tells us nothing about the lady. we don’t know what the context or circumstances of that incident are, or even if it’s true.

]]> By: Operalala http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-4/#comment-12952 Operalala Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:11:04 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12952 In defense of Bonisolli, when I heard this De Grieux I promptly uploaded it to YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=yyi0OAAKb1g As for Pazzo? Oh I think life would be dull without a bit of pazzo, especially Corelli's pazzo. In defense of Bonisolli, when I heard this De Grieux I promptly uploaded it to YouTube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yyi0OAAKb1g
As for Pazzo? Oh I think life would be dull without a bit of pazzo, especially Corelli’s pazzo.

]]> By: Ms. Creant http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12942 Ms. Creant Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:39:04 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12942 harry, your anecdote tells us nothing about the lady. we don't know what the context or circumstances of that incident are, or even if it's true. harry, your anecdote tells us nothing about the lady. we don’t know what the context or circumstances of that incident are, or even if it’s true.

]]> By: David Utterback http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12941 David Utterback Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:38:06 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12941 Franco Corelli was another high strung tenor. Maybe not on such a regular basis (I'm guessing) as Bonisolli. Gerard Souzay told me that he was in Salzburg during the Trovatores with Corelli, Price and Karajan. He was returning to the hotel around 2:00 in the morning (I didn't ask why he was out so late) and Corelli was wandering the lobby and halls of the hotel. Evidently Corelli was so keyed up about being able to give the level of performance expected of him that he couldn't sleep. On the other hand Gilda Cruz-Romo told me that he could not have been more gracious to her backstage/onstage before, during and after performances of Forza. She never mentioned Mr. Bonisolli (who is in the Forza from Vienna with her on Myto). Strangely enough I was listening to the Berlin Fanciulla with Dimitrova/Bonisolli over the weekend. They made a great pair onstage if not off. Franco Corelli was another high strung tenor. Maybe not on such a regular basis (I’m guessing) as Bonisolli. Gerard Souzay told me that he was in Salzburg during the Trovatores with Corelli, Price and Karajan. He was returning to the hotel around 2:00 in the morning (I didn’t ask why he was out so late) and Corelli was wandering the lobby and halls of the hotel. Evidently Corelli was so keyed up about being able to give the level of performance expected of him that he couldn’t sleep.

On the other hand Gilda Cruz-Romo told me that he could not have been more gracious to her backstage/onstage before, during and after performances of Forza. She never mentioned Mr. Bonisolli (who is in the Forza from Vienna with her on Myto).

Strangely enough I was listening to the Berlin Fanciulla with Dimitrova/Bonisolli over the weekend. They made a great pair onstage if not off.

]]> By: In SF http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12934 In SF Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:26:19 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12934 I realize that many singers are insecure, but I hve to wonder if insecurity as a performer excuses rude and unprofessional behavior towards colleagues. Even if you are a tenor with money notes. I realize that many singers are insecure, but I hve to wonder if insecurity as a performer excuses rude and unprofessional behavior towards colleagues. Even if you are a tenor with money notes.

]]> By: DirtyErda http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12922 DirtyErda Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:28:44 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12922 Well Frank you'll keep doing it until you get it right. What fun he enjoys himself so much how can you not have a big smile on your face when he is done. I'm sure Verdi had a big smile on his face as well. Good THEATRE but Opera, no. Well Frank you’ll keep doing it until you get it right. What fun he enjoys himself so much how can you not have a big smile on your face when he is done. I’m sure Verdi had a big smile on his face as well. Good THEATRE but Opera, no.

]]> By: harry http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12919 harry Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:52:21 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12919 Stella Barbare, regarding Dimitrova being a 'very proper lady', well 'haughty and stuck up' is more like it. In one instance, a friend backstage at one production, politely just wished to engage in slight but friendly acknowlegement . Ms Dimitrova tried the 'me no speaka the english' caper. A complete fallacy: to which the unfearing friend then gave her a full ticking off for bad manners. Stella Barbare, regarding Dimitrova being a ‘very proper lady’, well ‘haughty and stuck up’ is more like it. In one instance, a friend backstage at one production, politely just wished to engage in slight but friendly acknowlegement . Ms Dimitrova tried the ‘me no speaka the english’ caper. A complete fallacy: to which the unfearing friend then gave her a full ticking off for bad manners.

]]> By: Stella Barbare http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12906 Stella Barbare Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:53:53 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12906 who's the conductor and where is this from? i heard a story -- don't know for sure if it's true or not -- that he reduced poor dimitrova to tears in their rehearsals for fanciulla -- he kept fondling and feeling her up. she was a very proper lady, from what i heard, so she didn't know how to react to it. who’s the conductor and where is this from?

i heard a story — don’t know for sure if it’s true or not — that he reduced poor dimitrova to tears in their rehearsals for fanciulla — he kept fondling and feeling her up. she was a very proper lady, from what i heard, so she didn’t know how to react to it.

]]> By: Il Conte di Drewski http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12902 Il Conte di Drewski Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:47:13 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12902 Actually, I believe Bonisolli performed up until 2000, though not frequently. I remember hearing a story about a ring he used to wear. When questioned about it, he said that inside contained the antidote for the poison that Pavarotti and Aragall wanted to give him. What a colorful character :) Alagna has many of his zany antics, but none of the voice to back it up. Actually, I believe Bonisolli performed up until 2000, though not frequently. I remember hearing a story about a ring he used to wear. When questioned about it, he said that inside contained the antidote for the poison that Pavarotti and Aragall wanted to give him. What a colorful character :) Alagna has many of his zany antics, but none of the voice to back it up.

]]> By: Trey Zbirry http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12901 Trey Zbirry Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:43:16 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12901 "Actually, I came to think that he was simply very insecure, and his antics were to cover up," says In SF. An insecure opera singer ... an insecure TENOR? Surely not. “Actually, I came to think that he was simply very insecure, and his antics were to cover up,” says In SF. An insecure opera singer … an insecure TENOR? Surely not.

]]> By: Frau Wilhelmenia Getchurassen-Gier http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12896 Frau Wilhelmenia Getchurassen-Gier Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:20:59 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12896 From an aesthetic viewpoint, ziss is vulgarity in its most egregious form. Makink karier based upon merits of one stentorian note iss formink travesty of opera und theatre. Giff me Bergonzi, Tucker or Domingo (even mitt zair lower notes) or giff me death. From an aesthetic viewpoint, ziss is vulgarity in its most egregious form. Makink karier based upon merits of one stentorian note iss formink travesty of opera und theatre. Giff me Bergonzi, Tucker or Domingo (even mitt zair lower notes) or giff me death.

]]> By: ruxton http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-3/#comment-12883 ruxton Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:50:39 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12883 ... he was at his cutest in that movie. He really looked good. Perhaps it was the lighting and the make up but it sure worked. … he was at his cutest in that movie. He really looked good. Perhaps it was the lighting and the make up but it sure worked.

]]> By: Alice Roberts http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-2/#comment-12878 Alice Roberts Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:55:19 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12878 and let's not forget he is the Alfredo on the film of Traviata with my beloved and much missed Anna Moffo. and let’s not forget he is the Alfredo on the film of Traviata with my beloved and much missed Anna Moffo.

]]> By: voce http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-2/#comment-12877 voce Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:49:14 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12877 Bonisolli was absoulutely unique. He never had been in a monastery. When his wife Sally was ill having cancer he tried to safe her life over years and lost the battle. That's the reason why he stopped singing in the early 90. He was not a pazzo. He was deeply interested in esotheric and psycological themes. It was one of the greatest surprise for me realizing that when we build up our friendship. He was not really interested to talk about his career. he was more interested in talking about other things like philosophy. He knew a lot about it. At the end of his life he had an terrible tumor in the head. Don't know how long he was living with that enemy inside him. I never met a tenor who was so generous in his recitals, where he sang almost 15 arias including such different roles like Ernesto, Nadir, Chenier, Manrico, Otello, Rodolfo, Eleazar, Werther, Loris, Lohengrin, Sou-Chong etc. I missed him and his singing quality very much. Bonisolli was absoulutely unique. He never had been in a monastery. When his wife Sally was ill having cancer he tried to safe her life over years and lost the battle. That’s the reason why he stopped singing in the early 90. He was not a pazzo. He was deeply interested in esotheric and psycological themes. It was one of the greatest surprise for me realizing that when we build up our friendship. He was not really interested to talk about his career. he was more interested in talking about other things like philosophy. He knew a lot about it.
At the end of his life he had an terrible tumor in the head. Don’t know how long he was living with that enemy inside him. I never met a tenor who was so generous in his recitals, where he sang almost 15 arias including such different roles like Ernesto, Nadir, Chenier, Manrico, Otello, Rodolfo, Eleazar, Werther, Loris, Lohengrin, Sou-Chong etc.
I missed him and his singing quality very much.

]]> By: Stickwaver http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-2/#comment-12876 Stickwaver Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:13:11 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12876 I worked with Franco Bonisolli. He was indeed often vulgar and just plain meshugge, but actually not a bad musician at all, at least by any normal standards of what one would reasonably expect from an Italian tenor. He was also basically a nice guy. But he was pretty nuts much of the time, and it got in his way. He was obsessed to the point of distraction by Pavarotti's success and was often heard to blurt out full voice, in the middle of rehearsals, "Due chili di voce, duecento chili de merda!" I worked with Franco Bonisolli. He was indeed often vulgar and just plain meshugge, but actually not a bad musician at all, at least by any normal standards of what one would reasonably expect from an Italian tenor. He was also basically a nice guy. But he was pretty nuts much of the time, and it got in his way. He was obsessed to the point of distraction by Pavarotti’s success and was often heard to blurt out full voice, in the middle of rehearsals, “Due chili di voce, duecento chili de merda!”

]]> By: Strephon http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-2/#comment-12874 Strephon Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:38:39 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12874 On another occasion at Covent Garden he missed the top 'C' at the end of ' di quella pira' threw down his sword and as one of the reviewers put it 'visibly sulked'. He was unique. How could one forget his pirate shirt open to the waist and thigh length leather boots in L'Africaine. I even recall his UK debut in La Traviata in Edinburgh as an almost restrained Alfredo, with Clarice Carson as Violetta in a bustle, who did look like a well upholstered Victorian sofa. On another occasion at Covent Garden he missed the top ‘C’ at the end of ‘ di quella pira’ threw down his sword and as one of the reviewers put it ‘visibly sulked’.

He was unique. How could one forget his pirate shirt open to the waist and thigh length leather boots in L’Africaine.

I even recall his UK debut in La Traviata in Edinburgh as an almost restrained Alfredo, with Clarice Carson as Violetta in a bustle, who did look like a well upholstered Victorian sofa.

]]> By: Alice Roberts http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-2/#comment-12872 Alice Roberts Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:13:53 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12872 I saw him once, at Covent Garden, with Rosalind Plowright and Stefania Toczyska, he was loud, noisy and vulgar and you never heard booing like it after 'di quella pira' and at the curtain calls. Poor soul. The hair didn't help either, looking like something from a Victorian sofa, not to mention he always appeared to be so thrilled with himself. I saw him once, at Covent Garden, with Rosalind Plowright and Stefania Toczyska, he was loud, noisy and vulgar and you never heard booing like it after ‘di quella pira’ and at the curtain calls. Poor soul. The hair didn’t help either, looking like something from a Victorian sofa, not to mention he always appeared to be so thrilled with himself.

]]> By: Krunoslav http://parterre.com/2008/04/22/to-bis-or-not-to-bis/comment-page-2/#comment-12865 Krunoslav Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:10:57 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=838#comment-12865 I saw Bonisolli's crudely belted Jose with the superelegant Berganza in CARMEN in San Fran. She looked like she wanted to kill him at the end... Calaf made a bit more sense, though Marton did indeed drown him out. But the Manrico opposite Dimitrova was vile-- they were both outsung by the young Zajick and by Cappuccilli. I missed his 1983 AIDA with Leontyne, but did hear-- from someone who heard it from Susan Dunn, her understudy- that during the dress rehearsal of the Triumphal Scene, Bonisolli said something and Leontyne walked out, sayin, "I don't do nothin' cheap.". What on earth did he say? Did he suggest that she take an E flat? Anyone know about this incident? I saw Bonisolli’s crudely belted Jose with the superelegant Berganza in CARMEN in San Fran. She looked like she wanted to kill him at the end… Calaf made a bit more sense, though Marton did indeed drown him out. But the Manrico opposite Dimitrova was vile– they were both outsung by the young Zajick and by Cappuccilli. I missed his 1983 AIDA with Leontyne, but did hear– from someone who heard it from Susan Dunn, her understudy- that during the dress rehearsal of the Triumphal Scene, Bonisolli said something and Leontyne walked out, sayin, “I don’t do nothin’ cheap.”. What on earth did he say? Did he suggest that she take an E flat? Anyone know about this incident?

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