Comments on: Leap of faith

By: kashania

kashania — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:44:35 +0000

I too see the similaries between Rysanek and Mattila. No, Mattila doesn’t have Rysanek’s freedom at the top (especially lately) but they both have a “raspy” quality to their voices. And I think that tempramentally, there are similarities.

By: OhNO

OhNO — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:21:33 +0000

operadent liked it a lot.

By: operadent

operadent — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:27:48 +0000

#44 the C in the stabbing narrative was right on, brilliant and held for effect – a very good job. The B with Alvarez was there but they cut it a bit short – both seemed to be very “on” tonite. As for Vissi D’arte, I thought the Bb was good, but she got into trouble on the descent from the Ab to the G, and dropped it quickly. Aside from this I thought she gave a fine performance considering she probably had very little orchestral rehearsal (if any.)

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:45:07 +0000

brooklynpunk
Thank You! I was on pins and needles.

By: brooklynpunk

brooklynpunk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:44:16 +0000

Squirrel:

They were REAL bullets…and he dies…( just in case ya were afraid ya missed anything…)

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:33:26 +0000

Damn, on my end it suddenly went out during the very beginning of the execution scene, and went into the bows chitchat. I assume something in my broadcast was running late (on a delay?) and then suddenly jumped forward. Sucks!

By: mrmyster

mrmyster — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:27:23 +0000

How were Gavrilova’s high-B with the tenor,
and the very exposed high-C in Act III?
Sorry she had bad luck with the Vissi Bb.
I don’t know why that is such a hard not
for so many women; must be that ascending
step-like approach; Puccini actually gives
T. several minutes of rest before she sings
the aria.

By: CruzSF

CruzSF — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:26:00 +0000

squirrel, I listened via Sirius and could hear the entire Act III.

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:18:50 +0000

am i the only one who missed the last part of act 3? the bcast just blipped out

By: operadent

operadent — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:18:02 +0000

Except for the end of Vissi D’arte she had all the notes and was exciting. As happens so often at the Met, the stand in stood out! A good perf!

By: brooklynpunk

brooklynpunk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:13:27 +0000

GREAT SCREAMS…!!!

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:12:56 +0000

WTF happened to the broadcast? Where is this intermission shit from? PRerecorded?

By: Reggiani

Reggiani — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:06:04 +0000

Saw the HD Sat. Loved the production. Never saw Z’s production, so I can’t compare. Best cast I have ever seen…well, slip Corelli in there, and it would be the best cast.

By: CruzSF

CruzSF — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:04:10 +0000

I agree. Alvarez is having a very good night. Gavrilova is better now than she was in the latter half of Act II.

By: brooklynpunk

brooklynpunk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:03:59 +0000

Alvarez is cookin, tonight…!

By: Noel Dahling

Noel Dahling — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:01:51 +0000

La Cieca @8: Thank GOD someone finally pointed that out!

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:01:38 +0000

I love this “cover” or whoever she is! nice

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:59:59 +0000

I should add I’m just getting home now and haven’t heard the first two acts… squirrel has a vibrant social life! so many acorns…

By: brooklynpunk

brooklynpunk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:59:45 +0000

Cruz..and Zuirrel:

Ja,ja..Nein, nein…

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:58:31 +0000

lol yes indeed
subtle colors if you want to call it that… i was hearing poor ensemble and inaccuracy in the execution of the beginning of the act. they are getting better… whoa Alvarez is on fire right now!

By: CruzSF

CruzSF — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:56:13 +0000

LOL. I love it. squirrel’s and my comments made at almost the same time, making exactly opposite statements. Different ears ….

By: CruzSF

CruzSF — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:52:03 +0000

I would agree with the band performing well tonight. Subtle colors are highlighted without getting in the way of the main lines.

By: squirrel

squirrel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:50:50 +0000

this act three sounds fuzzy so far; nice boy soprano, lousy orchestra (colaneri’s fault, duh)

By: brooklynpunk

brooklynpunk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:43:05 +0000

CruzSF:

I’m finding her VERY uneven..but she seems to have the dramatic theatricality in her voice, fairly well…

Alvarez is VERY good, tonight..as was the Scarpia..and the band is playing quite well

By: Lindoro Almaviva

Lindoro Almaviva — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:31:14 +0000

I think we are being short sighted when it comes to JDF’s rep. Whit it is true that his repertoire is limited right now, there are options as his voice matures. He is not yet 40 and being incredibly careful about the roles he sings; I would suggest that he is as careful (shrude?) is managing his roles and career as Alfredo Kraus was in his time.

I would be very interested to see what he is doing in 5-10 years.

By: Reggiani

Reggiani — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:24:13 +0000

Gavrilova was impressive until the end of Vissi d’arte. The Bb was short, about the same as Matilla’s, and then she started struggling. All the tension escaped, and there was little enthusiasm in the applause. It’s so frustrating when Tosca’s critical moment falls below the rest of her performance.

By: CruzSF

CruzSF — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:08:01 +0000

brooklynpunk & operadent: I’m having the opposite reaction to Gaviola on the broadcast tonight. Her voice is much lighter in color and weight than every other Tosca I’ve heard (live and on CD), so it sounds insubstantial to me. Just my 2 cents. I’m just used to heavier, darker voices in this role.

By: La Cieca

La Cieca — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:52:35 +0000

richard, I would disagree with you about the tenor role in Barbiere; in fact it is the star role of the opera and for that matter the title role as it was originally presented.

Your point about limited repertoire for Florez is well taken. I think, though, that since he is a big star he can perform lesser-known operas (ones suitable for his voice, I mean) and will draw the public.

By: rommie

rommie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:46:35 +0000

so proud of Diana!!! Saw the preview video from SFOpera and must say she attacks the music MUCH CLEANER than Mlle. Dessay.

Can;t wait til she essays the role here in New York!

By: brooklynpunk

brooklynpunk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:02:45 +0000

I totally agree, operadent…..