Flawless!
At the Metropolitan Opera on Friday night, an otherwise undistinguished Traviata was salvaged by an astonishing performance from Aleksandra Kurzak, whose Violetta was an incontrovertible triumph.
Maria Zifchak
11 pieces since 2013 — in 6 roles, at 1 company, most often at Metropolitan Opera.
11
pieces
6
roles
1
company
14
years
By company
11 pieces as Metropolitan Opera — stats above show all coverage for Maria Zifchak.
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Shrieking violet
Diana Damrau‘s performance as Violetta was the work of a very ordinary artist, one susceptible to vocal flubs, poor intonation, and an all too banal approach operatic performance.
Teen model
While she brought many exceptionally appealing qualities to her portrayal, Ermonela Jaho’s slender soprano often struggled to cope with Puccini’s demanding music.
Puppet show
Madama Butterfly remains fascinating because of its complexity.
Mark, missed
Thoughtless direction stifled the epic drama.
Wise woman
Ana Maria Martinez’s tremendously impressive Cio-Cio-San dominated the season premiere of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Met.
Queen for a D
Friday’s season premiere at the Met of Donizetti’s opera about the doomed Scottish queen proved surprisingly satisfying and a genuine success for Sondra Radvanovsky.
Lounge act
After nearly three years and over 20 performances Michael Mayer’s “Las Vegas” production of Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera still outrages many.
Anger’s aweigh
It was a night a-tingle with excitement at the Metropolitan Opera House.
No limits
The scene: a vocal audition, sometime in the past. A young, blond soprano approaches the podium. Her aria: “Un bel di.” She sings. Before she gets to the second “Chi sara” she’s rudely interrupted.
Wigs and weaves
It’s easiest to write reviews when there are soaring triumphs and miserable failures.