Capriccio - Metropolitan Opera, 7 April 2011
In spite of a few severely testing evenings, I have only ever fallen asleep at the opera twice. Once was about five years ago, mid-Rodelinda. The second was this one. The fact that both nights were at the Met and starred Renee Fleming perhaps speaks to the comfort of the Met seating and the soothing qualities of The Beautiful Voice (not to mention my overpacked NY schedule and lingering jetlag) more than the inherent tedium of the performances.
But two and half hours without an espresso break is a challenge that several met by simply leaving early. I myself might not have woken until the applause had a neighbour not clambered over me to escape a few minutes before the finish line. By which time Renee had changed frocks, the battle between words and music remained unresolved, and the jolly posh drawing room set was exactly as it was found at curtain up.
From what little I heard, I suspect this is a decent bash at a difficult opera - and certainly Renee herself sounded in good form in a role that fits her like a glove. So I'll be trying - coffee in hand - next weekend's HD screening (which, incidentally, will cost me more than my Family Circle ticket for the real thing).
production photos: Metropolitan Opera
curtain call photos: intermezzo.typepad.com
