The Acts grow ever more Unnatural as La Cieca introduces the fourth and final segment of Adriana Lecouvreur. Later in the show, we hear Magda Olivero making a debut at an age when most people are ready to retire!
Is it just La Cieca, or does someone at the New York Times have it in for Stephanie Blythe? Not the story by Anthony Tommasini, which is standard worshippy stuff — but the photos!
This is from last night. La Cieca should note that she was not at this performance (1/29/2009), but a member of the cher public armed with an iPhone was. The clip is presented for the purposes of discussion.
La Cieca will begin the discussion by noting that the scene is performed down a half step.
The operatives were busy over the midnight hours:
“Act 3 was a mixed bag. The opening showed Villazon in much better form, with solid phrasing. The Mad Scene started out beautiful, Netrebko spinning out haunting legato. She was completely involved and engaged. Then she fell apart at the flute solo, sounding under supported and wavering off pitch dangerously. She never recovered through the end of the scene. She sounded as if she had just run out of energy and attempted no high note, which may have been a blessing. Villazon ended the show beautiful, showing us what he can sound like — though there were two large cracks. The voice was nonetheless much more secure. Kwiecien was by far the best thing about the show, displaying a healthy voice and fantastic acting from beginning to end. His was the only stellar performance. Also, if I am not mistaken, which having sung this scene before I am quite sure I am not, the whole Act 3 scene was taken down a whole step.” Read more »
UPDATE: And now the reactions to Act 2:
“Villazon continued to struggle. Pushed upper register and passaggio. High notes he seems to accomplish (or in some cases misses) by sheer will of force. Aside from a beautiful legato in the sextet, his voice is very worrisome. Netrebko has bloomed in this act, acuti seemingly in control, mostly, and beautiful phrasing.  Her duet with Kwiecien was the highlight of a second act that was blessed with many magical moments. Armiliato is expertly following the singer and trying to help them as much as possible. This was an overall splendid second act.”
“Villazon seems to grow stronger by the act and the engagement scene suits Trebs’ voice. Now we await the would be horror of the mad scene…” Read more »
Mom of the Moment Anna Netrebko and her weapons-grade bazooms are featured in an interview with the Post’s Barbara Hoffman.
Cher Public