Vittoria! for Royal Opera House Tosca

Tosca - Royal Opera House, 17 July 2011

 

There was something missing from tonight's Tosca - the Maestro's vocal accompaniment. Has he bowed to public pressure and resolved to conduct in silence?

All I will note is that he produced another superb orchestral performance, yet without the frantic energy and earbusting volume of Thursday night's. It was more refined, more subtle in its accents, but perhaps less exciting. Which is best - and does the grunting help? Let the DVD producers decide.

They'll have a problem with Angela Gheorghiu's second act though. This time, unlike Thursday, she remembered to take her gloves off and she got the words right (one day, the purpose of rehearsals may sink in). But her Vissi d'arte was too wayward for even Pappano to keep up with, and she simply ran out of puff in the longer lines.

It got the scheduled and paused-for ovation of course - as did Jonas Kaufmann's Recondita armonia. Pappano seemed determined to push on without breaking the musical flow, but the orchestra ground to halt as the applause erupted. Jonas couldn't help sneaking a tiny grin. It was another fantastic night for him from start to finish - jaws dropped as he belted out a colossal Vittoria, hearts melted at his ardent E lucevan le stelle.

There might be more beautifully-sung Scarpias than Bryn Terfel's, but could anyone else come close to being so convincing? He dripped malevolence from every sweaty pore. One of this otherwise dreary production's better touches is his sneaky pocketing of Tosca's fallen hair ribbon, which he later takes out and pervily sniffs. He gives Gheorghiu every reason to recoil at his very presence - a masterful portrayal.

What a way to end the season.

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 

Comments

[Stephen]

Bryn was a truly nasty Scarpia. I didn't notice it on Thursday, but last night as Cavaradossi exited in Act 2, Scarpia head-butted him so hard, it left Scarpia reeling as well. It looked so real. I hope the cameras caught it.

[simon]

Kaufmann was definitely the star of the show for me. Perhaps Pappano was a little tired from 4 hours of Rossini the night before.

Incidentally rumour has it Madama Butterfly had to be rescheduled to run two nights concurrently (necessitating an extra Cio-cio) because of Gheorghiu's insistence on a Thursday and Sunday performances.

[Manou]

@simon: proof positive that Angela has the clout to demand this.

@Intermezzo - unless you are calling Mrs Beckham, I think you mean "Vittoria!"
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Intermezzo replies - Sometimes I can't believe my own incompetence. This is what happens when you write after midnight soused in alcohol and believe everything the spell check tells you. Duly amended, thank you!

[miranda]

Wow all you lucky people who went twice! I'm pleased the Recondita got an applause. I get the concept of purity and maintaining the musical flow but its so nice to be able to release all that emotion and 'give back' with a whopping great applause. I dearly hope that bit makes it onto the dvd. Intermezzo, what would we do without you! Its fantastic knowing we can rely on you to be our eyes and ears. Insanely, insanely jealous. Thanks for posting.

Did La G fall off the stage? Oh dear.
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Intermezzo replies - I believe she was attempting a victory stage-dive. Someone should tell her Iggy Pop isn't the greatest role model for a 50 year old soprano.

[Kit Gill]

Vissi d'arte really did take a peculiar turn in the middle section - was better on Thursday. And the head butt was a shocker! And I heard only two moderate huffles from Pappano ....!

I thought the "quieter" orchestra this time was just my perception from a standing place at the back of the balcony - so am interested to hear it was evident to you too. Makes one wonder to what extent Pappano made changes to suit recording needs as a result of meeting the sound engineers after Thursday.

[miranda]

You know what, forgive me but I feel slightly uncomfortable about criticising Pappano's wooffling. I know you've got a great big We Love Pappano sign so the ulimate message is pretty clear, but it feels a bit like bullies in a school yard. And I contributed. Self -slapped wrist. At the end of the day I owe that man some of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life and he produces sound like no one else I've ever heard. Let the techies sort it out, Im sure they can, and meanwhile let him let loose as he needs to. (Actually, seeing & hearing it live is quite entertaining in itself!). However, maybe he was totally knackered by Sunday. Who wouldn't be. Feeling really guilty.

[Peter Lewis]

Sunday's Tosca was the most thrilling opera experience I've had since I first went 20 years ago, and that includes Pavarotti, Domingo and other legends. I'm not about to nitpick (those who do are probably a bit fussy for their own good) but I'd prefer to comment on the hypnotic performances of the leads and Orchestra.

Near perfect singing and acting and performing all round. It's occasions like this you realise that the ROH is a treasure us Londoners should be well and truly thankful for.

Oh well, back to the mundane!

[Justin Chapman]

It's a shame neither Pappano nor Kaufmann did the gentlemanly thing and pulled Draculetta's hair back before she threw up over the orchestra. Or is that not what is happening in that pic?

[Romano Endrighi]

I would like to say what a pleasure it has been to listen to the -previously unknown to me - tenor Giancarlo Monsalve singing Cavaradossi at the ROH in June this year. M. Giordani was unwell but since I attended a previous performance where he sung I wasn't too upset. When Giancarlo stepped onto the stage I knew I would be up for a surprise. And what a treat, his young good look coupled with his enthusiasm and a rich warm voice more than compensated for any supposed lack of rehearsal (which BTW I didn't notice). The public gave him a very loud and warm welcoming at curtain call. I met him at the stage door after the performance, he was very happy and excited and didn't mind to stay and chat and sign autographs. I went back to see him 3 days later. I would be interested to read IM opinion and anyone else who was there during those 2 performances. Romano

[Corradino]

I wish I had known Monsalve was singing at the ROH in June. From earlier recorded excerpts I am certain he was good as Cavaradossi. However, I heard a broadcast of Don Carlos from Portugal recently, which showed a wobble and wear to the voice alarming at a young age. I hope this was just a passing vocal problem.