l’elisir d’amaro
As you all know by now, Rolando Villazón is out of the rest of the performances of L’elisir at the Met. The Met press office held on to this news until after 7:00 tonight, which is perhaps some indication of just how bad the Met considers this news to be.
This is what La Cieca knows. Villazón was scheduled for a coaching of his music yesterday; obviously he either didn’t show or else didn’t sing up to a level that the Met management felt confident sending him on tomorrow night.Â
La Cieca also has heard from several sources that representatives of the Met’s artistic administration have been phoning around since late last week trying to line up tenor replacements for the next four performances. These efforts at recasting are ongoing — for example, La Cieca has heard that as of tonight the Met still does not have a tenor signed for Saturday the 11th.
Also heard is the story that since early in March the Met has been discreetly sounding out leading tenors about appearing in next season’s new production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann. Which leads La Cieca to the very sad conclusion that this is the end for Villazón at the Met.
UPDATE: La Cieca now hears whispers that the Met is in talks with Massimo Giordano to star in the “new” Don Carlo (!!!) scheduled for 2010-2011.
why? because he no longer has a Fach in serviceable condition? or because his unreliability has become too much of an albatross? or because of some kind of diva-like Battle antics? why make this utter prognostication? what are you, Punxsatawny Phil?
This is very sad news. I wonder if this is at the Met’s instigation or if this is his decision.
I wish Mr. Villazón all the best – he is a good man and a wonderful artist. i hope he manages to get his voice back in shape and proves everyone just how wonderful a singer he can be once more.
I don’t care what anyone says – this is a sad conclusion to a sad story in recent opera history. Nay, in music history. Nay in theatre history. Villazon showed promise to be an exemplary musician and actor and – in the case of this role – juggler.
My two cents regarding other tenors:
1. Joseph Calleja should fill in for the remaining. He is already scheduled to do the final performance (with Nicole Cabell, no less)
2. Piotr Beczala should do the Hoffman production. He has the complete package necessary for this, not to mention an excellent rapport with Netrebko.
Plus, his website says he is currently “preparing” the role of Hoffmann
Why? Because he has already taken time off to retool and it seems to not have worked. I love the guy and wish him all the best, but given how long this vocal crisis has continued, it doesn’t seem the help he has either sought or been given has proven to be the answer to his problems. If the best doctors/opera houses/coaches/teachers, etc. can’t solve the problem, then I think it’s in the Met’s best interest to have a contingency plan in case things don’t change fro the better with Rolando. Here’s hoping he figures it out.
#2, Mr Villazon “is a good man?” That’s one I had not thought of; wonder what it means? He’s a defunct singer at this point, very clearly not up to singing one of the most demanding and difficult roles in French repertory, Hoffmann. Cieca is quite right about that, Villazon will not be singing Hoffmann at the Met. Everybody knew he would not last, and most of us know why, so let’s just not persevere on it any more. Bye-bye Rolando.
Now, Callaja for Hoffman? Could be! Bit young for it still; Costello – nope, no way; Alagna, no it’s too late in his career, problematic top and the upper range requirements in Hoffman are killing. Oh! I know, the Met will re-write the role into baritone keys and Domingo will sing it! Wheeeeee! No doubt James Morris will sing the four villans. Don’t think I’ll catch that show. But wait! There is one attractive young tenor who could very well bring it off, Jonas Kaufmann – ideal for the role. Can the Met get him? Who will replace Netrebko if she decides she can’t sing the Doll and Antonia and
the Giulietta scene? I prefer three different female singers in those roles, anyway. Don’t you?
NO CONTINGENCY PLAN. The Met should stop wasting its time on Villazon. He has disappointed the company too much…missing TWO of the most anticipated HD-casts! And now, a third….if Gelb lets this whole vicious cycle happen again in Hoffmann next year. He is NOT going to figure out his voice – and even if he did, he would not arrive from that process being able to jump in to Hoffman.Let’s see if we can get Villazon througha run of Nemorinos – or better yet, Handel Arias for that matter. Hell why doesn”t he revist the 24 Italian Songs and Arias – and throw in a few Schuberts. Don’t even talk to me about Hoffmann as early as late 2009
@ florez rocks – having heard Calleja’s improvement in his HIgh Notes (there is no other lyric tenor out there with better high notes at the moment) he would be my first choice as Hoffman. His recent Rigoletto have shown that he has learnt to act as well……Bezcala? I would definitely buy a ticket again to go and hear him. Another truly complete artist but not as exciting as Calleja to my ears.
Villazon? I have no sympathy…why? Cause the man could have done one thing – LISTENED! Only greed and a series of very bad decisions are to blame here. Add to that a terrible and pompous autobiography released and endorsed by him in Salzburg recently where he basically states that he is the best tenor of the last 20 years with direct comparisons with many of his illustrious colleagues – past and present. Shame that the German press didn’t give this book the trashing it deserves. Get an English copy if you can and read for yourselves.
Lets not lament this loss as a great one for opera. Pippo was a great loss. The young Jose Carreras but definitely not this guy.
Give me one of Villazon’s roles that a tenor still alive today hasn’t sung better?
myster – Netrebko’s only doing Antonia. I have no clue who is doing the other two ladies, but I do know that Aleksandra Kurzak is NOT Olympia till 2010-2011
Aquiles Machado sang a glorious Hoffman (from Bilbao, I think) that I saw on Gallery HD (when Cablevision still carried the Voom HD network).
Netrebko is scheduled to sing only Antonia. Check the casts for next season on the Met’s site.
I think Beczala would be the best choice to replace Villazon as Hoffmann. I think he’s better than the Villazon of a few years ago.