Strike three

A rather startling followup headline in the New York Times today:

And is La Cieca the only one who was puzzled by the blurb for Luisa Miller in the Met’s Sunday Times ad? The cast for opening night is listed as Barbara Frittoli, Irina Mishura, Neil Shicoff, Carlos Alvarez, James Morris and Phillip Ens. But the copy reads, “Three of the world’s greatest Verdi singers star . . .” So which of these six artists are included in that trio of “greatest” and which are just along for the ride? How is that statement complicated by the defection of Barbara Frittoli from the cast earlier this week? Would the corrected ad state “two of the world’s greatest Verdi singers? [emphasis added]” Or would it remain “three?” And would that “three” be assumed to include Veronica Villaroel, who is jumping in as Luisa? And can you tell that La Cieca’s day job is at a law firm?