Rigoletto - Royal Opera House, 30 March 2012
Numerous revivals down the line, David McVicar's Rigoletto (original director nowhere to be seen) is looking as flaccid as the solitary blink-and-you'll-miss-it todger that crowns its opening orgy scene. (An orgy which, incidentally, strikes me as considerably more heterosexual than on previous outings - anyone watching closely enough to confirm?).
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Recorded at the weekend; a preview of what Vittorio Grigolo may be getting up to on Friday, when the latest revival of Rigoletto opens at Covent Garden.
(With thanks to Kyoko).
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After tonight's Faust at Covent Garden, simulcast around the world, there was something Vittorio Grigolo just couldn't wait to tell the folks back home.
Wait, it's coming...
A swift salute first....
Continue reading "Vittorio Grigolo gets something off his chest" »
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Faust - Royal Opera House, 18 September 2011 (first night)
looking for a John Tomlinson impersonator?
Despite some outstanding performances from a top-drawer cast, this second revival of David McVicar's Faust somehow fails to hit the mark. Part of the blame is of course Gounod's - never afraid to cut a flowing story dead in its tracks with a crowd-pleasing ballet or drinking song.
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Conclusive proof that classical vocal CDs are turning into mere promotional tools for a more lucrative stage career?
Listen to Vittorio Grigolo's new CD in full - and legally - until 5 October here.
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Manon - Royal Opera House, 29 June 2010
Following a brief flexing of her Manon-muscles in Vienna at the weekend, Anna Netrebko was back at Covent Garden on Monday night to recommence battle against Laurent Pelly's MDF and frilly knickers. Her new, bigger voice takes a while to settle, but once it did she was even more impressive than on opening night. There was one moment of danger - a near-crack on a solitary top D - but from then on she sailed through.
In fact everyone seemed to have upped their game - the orchestra sounded freer, the cast more relaxed. Vittorio Grigolo was the most changed, and entirely for the better. He reined in his opening night excesses and turned in a characterisation of some subtlety, revealing a world of vocal colour previously masked beneath can belto volume and acting skillz way beyond arm-flinging. Hope Covent Garden have secured a return booking while they can.
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Manon - Royal Opera House, 22 June 2010 (first night)
Anna Netrebko and Vittorio Grigolo were, deservedly, a huge hit with the audience at last night's Manon premiere (sole sleb-spot, Rhydian, in barman-style white shirt and waistcoat).
Netrebko's saucy, knowing Manon is the architect of her own fate, and if she overdoes the eyelash-batting in the first act, she makes up for it later with a truly affecting performance. She sang strongly, the voice fuller and darker than ever before, looking gorgeous in a succession of lush Belle Époque frocks and a chestnut wig.
******** more on next page including LOADS of photos ********
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Perhaps the budget cuts are really biting at the Royal Opera House. Anyone expecting the sort of detail Laurent Pelly brought to his now-classic production of La fille du régiment will be disappointed by his new Manon, as unveiled at Saturday's general rehearsal. Whether it looks elegantly minimal or half-finished is a matter of opinion - but those sets sure are spare, in contrast to the acres of cloth lavished on the lush period costumes.
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