The replacements
Second casts in Don Giovanni and Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera offer mixed blessings.
Soloman Howard
30 pieces since 2014 — in 21 roles, at 10 companies, most often at Metropolitan Opera.
30
pieces
21
roles
10
companies
13
years
By role
King 2
Wurm 2
Sparafucile 2
King of Egypt 2
Hunding 2
Fafner 2
Commendatore 2
Banquo 2
Fiesco 1
Friar 1
Grand Inquisitor 1
Don Fernando 1
Angelotti 1
Marquis de Calatrava; Padre Guardiano 1
Marquis of Calatrava / Padre Guardiano 1
Martin Luther King 1
Oroveso 1
Padre Guardiano; Marquis of Calatrava 1
Pharaoh 1
Sarastro 1
Colline 1
10 pieces as Metropolitan Opera — stats above show all coverage for Soloman Howard.
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The clown of God
Rigoletto is the perfect opera. The story is straightforward and powerful; none of the action occurs backstage or between scenes or twenty-seven years before curtain rise; and the ethical anvil lands not once but twice, on the title character singing, “La maledizione!” The curse!
Character is destiny
La forza del destino concluded its run at the Metropolitan Opera with a significant cast change.
The commendatore effect
In an ingenious stroke of double casting, the Met’s new Forza del destino brings back the Marquis of Calatrava—father of the heroine Leonora, unintentionally killed in the opening scene by a bullet from her lover’s pistol—as Padre Guardiano, Father Superior of the monastery that will take her under its protection as a hermit in Act 2.
Destiny’s child
While you may need to bring along your Dramamine, the Met’s new production of La forza del destino, does—eventually—spin fast enough to achieve escape velocity.
Mozart, maximally
Do you ever wonder how easy it is to invent a Christmas tradition?
Cri du coeur
Sondra Radvanovsky returned for her 29th Met Aïda Thursday night (but only her second Aïda.)
Neigh sayers: Frightening the Horses
At tonight’s performance of Aida at the Met, the Triumphal Scene horses suddenly panicked and tried to bolt from the stage. I can’t say I blame them.
The year in Yohalem
My memory is fading but the events I recall most vividly of the last season seem largely to have been concert performances.
Side eye and bitch face
At the first intermission at last night’s Met revival of Aida, I turned to my companion and said, “So… what about the Aida? I thought she was supposed to be good.”
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
