parterre box

38 comments

• Ruxton says:

  Sadie you must be a real old old old fashioned gal. There’s nothing trampy about her gown at all. She’s got a great figure and looks sensational in it. Since when has simple and elegant become “trampy” ?

  on July 30, 2009 at 9:23 AM
• Buster says:

  She likes trampy stuff – the dress/tits/hair she wore when she sang Eva for Solti had to be seen to be believed. I was very happy she showed up the second day of the taping in the same outfit – it was the one thing that kept me awake and in good spirits.

  on July 30, 2009 at 9:36 AM
• iltenoredigrazia says:

  I was at the Met Centennial gala too and Moffo was absolutely awful. Merrill on the other hand was restricted to a very limited range but the voice sounded as beautiful as ever within that range.

  on July 30, 2009 at 10:04 AM
• Gualtier M says:

  I am going to endorse the Vicar’s longing for Marilyn Hill Smith – one of my favorite lighter divas. One of the best Cunegondes ever on record. And her “Treasures of Operetta” series with Peter Morrison is a must-have collection for any serious lover of operetta.

  My other fave, Vicar is the late adored June Bronhill whose operetta recordings have been rereleased on the EMI “Classics for Pleasure” mid-priced series. I listen to these frequently.

  on July 30, 2009 at 10:15 AM
• MontyNostry says:

  There is definitely something trampy about Mattila in an unsophisticated Nordic housewifely sort of a way. She is not a classy dame, somehow. Her Arabella in that horrible Paris/London Mussbach production was certainly fatally trampy.

  There is also something trampy about Barbara Frittoli. Naughty casalinga from suburban Milan. She needs a black satin baby-doll nightie.

  on July 30, 2009 at 11:14 AM
• Sanford says:

  The dress is not at all flattering. There’s no support up top where she desperately needs it. And the clingy fabric shows off a slight and easily hidden pooch. And is it me, or does she sound a little mezzo-ish here. Actually, late Moffo-ish… the bottom is flabby and the top is bright.

  on July 30, 2009 at 12:14 PM
• Pelleas says:

  “And the clingy fabric shows off a slight and easily hidden pooch.”

  I hate people who have to take their dogs EVERYWHERE.

  on July 30, 2009 at 12:22 PM
• ellerveira says:

  Re Violetta’s death scene: I always appreciated Jonathan Miller’s advice to whatever soprano he was directing: “You are dying. Stay in bed. Take it from me, I am a doctor.”
  (His actual degree).

  on July 30, 2009 at 1:07 PM
• La Cieca says:

  “You are a lousy director. Stay away from opera. Take it from me, I’m a critic.”

  on July 30, 2009 at 1:17 PM
• Harry says:

  Mattila waggles across the stage to start’ here I am, here I am’ with that rose if if she is going to sing Carmen. Then take the moment she mouths the word “HAAARPPPYY” and goes off into all that O’Orh.OH..AH!!Talk about affectations and oversinging a piece that is best left simply performed. As well, catch the glimpse of her backside in that skimpy red rag dress and you can clearly see the ‘crack’ ( I am not talking about the voice.) Looks like an over-made up aging raddled Zsa Zsa Gabor on the make to put the ‘bite’ on some stupid, besotted dribbling rich provider. No doubt she is a person of very considerable singing ability, but without the intelligence to know how to present or ‘carry herself’. This non ability to command ‘instant genuine respect and quiet awe’ by mere presence, shows she has a star rating of maybe 2 and a half -’of passing note’. A tramp comes to mind, more quickly.

  on July 30, 2009 at 2:14 PM