We all know Angela Gheorghiu doesn't 'do' rehearsals - her superior operatic skillz of course render them entirely superfluous.
So it was no surprise that today's dress rehearsal of Tosca at Covent Garden featured instead Nelly Miricioiu, who is sharing the title role. Nelly is no spring chicken, but an artful combination of gliding, sliding, swooping and scooping conceals the worst of the wear and tear. The history-book sets and frocks invite an old-skool semaphore display which Nelly, ever the diva, was only too happy to provide.
By her side, though with even less chemistry than Renee'n'Joe, Marcello Giordani rattled the chandeliers with his Met-sized voice. He seemed to be going through the motions, but perhaps he'll warm up for the proper shows.
Jacques Lacombe kept the orchestra together neatly in a well-paced reading, but I wanted more light and shade, more drama.
The glacial, composed menace of Bryn Terfel's Scarpia - could this be the definitive portrayal? - seems at this stage the only reason to catch this revival. But who knows, things could change between now and Thursday's opening night - which will also throw la Gheorghiu into the mix.
