Intermezzo

Fabio's fabulous Aida at the Royal Opera House

Aida - Royal Opera House, 19 March 2011

I feel sorry for anyone who hoped to hear Luisi conduct Aida and now won't, because on Saturday night he did a superb job. He never achieved the blood-and-guts, life-and-death heights that Pappano can - but then how many conductors do? We're extravagantly spoilt in that respect.

On every other count it was hard to fault him. The orchestra played with spirit and refinement, the singers were wonderfully supported, and Luisi held enough back to make the big moments tell - the third act climax was a heart-racing eruption. He took the music at face value and invested it with a colour and delicacy that belied the work's reputation. It sounded fresh and new.

And all that despite the godawful fugliness of David McVicar's production assailing his delicate aesthetic sensibilities at every turn (incidentally, he was correctly dressed from spiffy shirtstud to polished pump, and emerged without a single crease).  What a champ.

Fabio Luisi dumps Royal Opera House for Met offer

 

The Metropolitan Opera have just announced that Fabio Luisi is to replace the ailing James Levine conducting Das Rheingold on 30 March and 2 April.

Just one small problem. Luisi is booked to conduct Aida at Covent Garden on those two nights.

Now Luisi is not known for his Wagner. And until he dumped the ROH, he wasn't free either. In other words, there were more obvious candidates available. So Luisi's last minute step into the breach should be viewed as an auspicious one by Met-watchers. What it means for his future at Covent Garden is probably the last thing on his mind, given his form.

As for Aida, the Royal Opera House website hasn't been updated, but it's likely 'B' conductor Daniele Rustioni will step into the breach. (UPDATE - Rustioni is now confirmed.)

Borodina "not entirely in agreement with what’s going on onstage"

"I already changed my make-up and wig and costumes are slightly more elegant than they were at the beginning.”

Her Majesty Queen Olga straight-talks the Telegraph.

Royal Opera House Aida replaced

 
After becoming possibly the first ever singer to be booed *at a dress rehearsal* at Covent Garden, news comes that Micaela Carosi is out of Aida. Her replacement in the title role is the promising Liudmyla Monastyrska, also to be seen as Lady Macbeth next month.

Out too is the faceful of slap. This season's Amneris, Olga Borodina, has opted for a more natural look than Marianne Cornetti (above) sported in the first run.

*** UPDATE **** Ms Carosi has withdrawn "due to pregnancy", according to the ROH press release.

Majestic Markdowns at Royal Opera House

Covent Garden have a rare half price offer. It's only for the 'C' cast of David McVicar's 'Trekkie' Aida revival, and only for the most expensive tickets, so don't all rush at once.

Stalls tickets on 10, 13 and 15 April are reduced by 50% to £110. Yes, that's the price *after* reduction. Book online here.

Calixto Bieito's Aida opens in Basel

Blood! Dead cows! Underpants!

The small but adventurous Theater Basel premiered their new Calixto Bieito-directed Aida last night. No reviews out yet, but plenty of photos (more over the page).