koch tease
La Cieca hears that the New York City Opera will present four five productions during their 2009-2010 season, including a new staging of Don Giovanni directed by David Christopher Alden and starring Daniel Okulitch (pictured). Revivals of “old” NYCO productions at The David H. Koch Theater include Weisgall’s Esther (with Lauren Flanigan), L’etoile, Partenope and Madama Butterfly.
I sang onstage with Okulitch in Don Giovanni in France. His is a virile, believable Don. Not necessarily a stellar voice, but he’s got enough swagger and presence to really embody the role.
Steva: La Cieca thinks Okulitch is a plausbile package for a City Opera Don Giovanni. You’re not going to get Ezio Pinza these days, especially not on six months’ notice and for whatever pittance NYCO manages to pay their principal artists.
Sometimes I think there is a lookism backlash going on, i.e., just because a singer is good-looking then it must immediately follow that’s all he has going on for him.
Okulitch is OK, but he isn’t all THAT good looking. Rick Astley meets Clinton Kelly. Mark my words: in two years, he’s gonna have man boobs.
“Okulitch! OK!” He could go into politics..
If you want to see mayhem at the Met box office, bring in Von Stade for something.
I haven’t heard the rumor about Flanagan, who I like but feel compelled to point out Lauren was someone Robin Thompson really got behind. Why would Steele get behind someone so indicative of the old regime? Also I’ll take the NYCO red white and blue Butterfly over the Mets. However we had Bfly two seasons ago at NYCO and this season Bfly at Met and now next season at NYCO? I think Cio Cio needs her rest,