parterre box

154 comments

• armerjacquino says:

  Was thinking exactly that. Fuel for your ‘pushed up mezzo’ theory, because it’s the sound of later Verrett.

  A lovely ‘D’Amor’ though, albeit one which sounded as if it could go awry at any point- she was taking risks with some of that half voice. And yes, there’s no trill to speak of, and she doesn’t have or won’t use a chest voice. But nonetheless this is a singer I really, really like.

  Poor old Dmitri, though. I wish he’d stop barking at me.

  on February 28, 2009 at 3:33 PM
• royboy says:

  This is a delicious, vital, intense Leonora we are being gifted with. Thrilling and yummy in equal parts. Brava Radvanovsky!

  on February 28, 2009 at 3:35 PM
• operaman50 says:

  She’s AWFUL ….. just plain AWFUL! “To this we’ve come……”

  on February 28, 2009 at 3:37 PM
• Perfidia says:

  With half a lung, Zajick sang pretty much everybody off the stage. I wish she had more worthy competition. It would probably have helped her grow as an artist. But what can you do when just by showing up you basically win half the fight?

  on February 28, 2009 at 3:46 PM
• blanche says:

  AWFUL? can’t believe we’re hearing same broadcast. It’s all about heart, power, and for me a real beauty of tone that is uniquely hers..perhaps a bit harsh sometimes, but so was Callas. I’ll take Rad. any time, especially after the incredibly insipid (netrebko) or vulgar (Guleghina) performances I have heard lately. so glad I have a ticket to this.

  on February 28, 2009 at 3:50 PM
• StellaNasca says:

  Pushed. Up. Mezzo. AAarrrrgh! Speaking as mezzo who is tired of hearing “Are you sure you’re not a soprano,” let me just say that Radvanovsky is a terrific _soprano_. I am very much enjoying her voice.

  I would also pay quite a lot of money to have Dmitri Hvorostovsky come over to my house and just once sing “Leonora” the way he did (in Act II, I think) – you know the one I mean. Yow.

  on February 28, 2009 at 3:53 PM
• lorenzo.venezia says:

  she sounds delicious all the way over here in italia!

  on February 28, 2009 at 3:56 PM
• Gooditsnot says:

  Alvarez is not a tenor for this.

  Dolora is in good shape today…..sounds like mikes are stratching the costumes. Some broadcasts they mike the singers to hear them better/ this “ai nostri monti” is deadly.

  Vibrato is given a new meaning with this soprano. I must say I never minded the olivero vibrate. THIS is ugly. at least on radio.

  what was that? a yelp/ are we reduced to this.

  :Intendo!: is sharp.
  Giusto is flat.

  this is really energized only by cheap effect and really out of tune singing.

  Dolora returns, finally pitch.

  let’s go shopping….potatos, maybe some fruit. Sounds NOT like what she is insisting. Poor soprano.

  This has lost any energy it needs to segue……
  no bottom or middle this soprano/
  good. almost over.

  that is mozart not verdi.

  is this this off pitch in theater and if so, will the sheep know?
  soubrette maybe, finally a note in pitch and it’s the next to last.

  sheep will not know. they will applaud what they read in papers.

  fabulous dolora….only real verdi voice there. what a note.

  here comes the clauques.

  best hand is dolora…..maybe they aren’t fooled.

  hardly a legendary ovation. brava dolora..

  maestro, soprano, alavrez, the rest, don’t call us.

  on February 28, 2009 at 4:00 PM
• Scott Rose says:

  A very exciting and committed performer.

  Listening to General Manager Peter Gelb during the intermission, I was reminded that he does in truth love opera and this house.

  I think that overall, he has done an excellent job of reaching out to audiences worldwide on behalf of the Met.

  And, particularly in view of the current, daunting economic challenges, his stewardship of the launch of the 2009/10 season is admirable.

  That’s a tough job; nobody in it will ever make everybody who cares happy.

  With all that said, I do wish he would give some serious reflection to the questions of respect for the score raised with the new La Sonnambula production.

  How well do I enjoy Sondra R?

  I just bought another ticket online.

  on February 28, 2009 at 4:00 PM
• lwoolf says:

  AWFUL????????????????????????
  Incredible that anyone can say that about this woman. She is amazing. I was riveted by her singing. “Delicious” is right!!!!!

  on February 28, 2009 at 4:01 PM