The debut that got away
“After all that, it would be gratifying to declare Petersen’s debut a ‘star is born’ moment. But… she was pretty much a nonstarter, her Ophélie hovering on the cusp of inaudibility in midrange and shrill on the highest notes.” [NYP]
You are talking about a restaurant where you paid in advance for your meal and received a voucher saying that the kitchen staff is subject to change without notice?
Sounds familiar.
Note that I meant an expensive restaurant, not the neighborhood coffee shop.
When I said in #20 that it is insulting to L Partridge I was mainly referring to the engagement of Jane Archibald for the final two performances. Leah Partridge sang the final dress (three weeks after going on as Marie for Diana Damrau) and did a great job. I am sure there are a number of capable singers in house at the MET who could cover those final two performances. As for the lack of covers not being an issue, you are correct, but you aren’t going to keep finding covers that have tons of stage experience like Leah Partridge or even the favored Sarah Coburn. Shame on the Met for missing an opportunity to promote American talent who are deserving.
LaCieca is of course right to list the many fine aspects of undertaking a cover assignment, particularly at the MET with the fabulous coaching and networking. I’ve been an understudy (in “spoken” theater), and know what it’s like to have to go on with inadequate rehearsal and in circumstances with advance warning and time to work things out. It’s quite a ride.
I still think the opera world risks doing a disservice to a talented, promising singer when they rehearse and prepare them to perform and then fly in an underrehearsed but senior artist who doesn’t know the staging. There seems to be an implication that the cover singer is still “wanting”, and that isn’t always the case.
Yes, one can exaggerate the legendary tales of the understudy who came back a star – I didn’t include one such anecdote in my previous message. But I’ll close with an anecdote about Bing, who was having a contrempts with Corelli, who was making noises about not singing that night. So Bing arranged for Corelli to walk by a rehearsal studio where McCracken was warming up the opera in question (probably TURANDOT or something much like it). Corelli sang.
The mistake being made is to assume
all this cover chat has to do with music and the magic Hollywood ” a
new star is discovered ” and everyone
goes home happy . Mr. Gelb is
running a business ,he deals in singers like packages off the shelves.
He could be selling shoes for all the
difference it makes to the world of music. Everyone can comment on artistry and ability but he has to fill the seats , a full house is his aim ,
If he gets in the bargain a good voice , so much the better, if not
he takes some flack and goes on
to the next. I am sure Mr. Gelb
is aquainted to some degree with
great singers and perhaps also to the art of singing, but he also knows
what pays the rent and puts food
on his table .
am Gutierrez fan and I love what she does with the Ophelie aria, but there are holes at the very top of the range that I find jarring and, honestly, a little scary
I actually think that the reason for this is that Eglise is actually not a coloratura but following the stradition of young sopranos singing coloratura roles in their youth but moving away from them as they mature. Moffo, Scotto, Freni and several others did it and it worked.
I think when it is all said and done, Eglise’s voice will settle into a nice full lyric soprano.
Could those clamoring for Sarah Coburn’;s Met debut please get it through their heads that this very talented singer has already sung there: one of the NOZZE Due Contadine in 2003 and five performances of THE FRST EMPEROR in 2007-8?
I agree she’s a far better singer than the generic Partridge and unlike Netrebko she can actually sing I PURITANI.
But no more calls for her Met debut, PLEASE!
If there are still callas for Coburn’s Met debut it’s because her actual debut wasn’t very memorable. Haha.
Where on earth was Sally Silver???