I rarely see live opera locally. Before COVID, I attended Palm Beach Opera semi-regularly — often (fortunately) on the free open dress for students (and their teachers).

Unfortunately, they are VERY late to announce casting (not until January, just before the first opera), so who knows whether anything will interest me. The hour+ drive to Florida Grand Opera (Fort Lauderdale and Miami) was less daunting when I was younger, and again their casting is still mostly unknown. That leaves the Met Live in HD as my major opera source.

There are several HDs that look interesting, but what I most looking forward to is the Manon with Nadine Sierra. A local girl who made good, she make her pro debut with Palm Beach Opera while a student at the local School of the Arts, and I have followed her progress. She seemed mostly underused in many of the standard ingenue roles, and, although she can manage the fiorature effectively, her voice has a richness that seems to be destined for roles that showcase that quality.

Her Violetta was a major step forward, showcasing her acting and her rich STAR. Manon is a perfect role for her, showcasing all her strengths as a singer and actress (and let’s face it…she is gorgeous!).

Of course, it’s a shame she is not partnered with Bernheim. Not only is he a magnificent tenor with impeccable French style, the two of them had a unique chemistry in Roméo et Juliette and they would really ‘burn up the sheets” in Manon. I have concerns about Polenzani (I know it’s not politically correct, but let’s face it, he is 20 some years older that her and more of the age of Des Grieux-père. However, he has previously shown himself to be particularly effective in French rep (IMHO the best thing he ever did was Pearl Fishers), so I am hoping for the best. Let’s go team Nadine!!!