La Cenerentola, Rossini
Metropolitan Opera House, May 1st, 2009
Conductor: Maurizio Benini
Angelina: Elina Garanca
Prince Ramiro: Lawrence Brownlee
Don Magnifico: Alessandro Corbelli
Dandini: Simone Alberghini
Alidoro: John Relyea
Production: Cesare Lievi
Summary Ratings (1-5):
Music Performance: 4
Singing: 5
Acting: 5
Production: 3.5
Staging: 3.5
Overall: 4
Let me say: the strongest thing of the night was the singing. Everyone was fantastic! There weren't any disappointments. I was extremely pleased on this account.
Elina Garanca was perfect as always. I loved her take on Cenerentola-- she was so cute and clumsy and unassuming. She was a pleasure to watch and to listen to (but that was expected).
I'd never heard Lawrence Brownlee live. He did not disappoint. His tenor voice is creamy and never strident. Aka worth listening to.
All the other singers were amazing. Of course I've waited too long to review this; I don't remember the nuances. I was just stunned by the fact that everyone was extraordinary. There was not a boring voice in the entire cast.
The production was a little old, but I enjoyed it. The staging was focused, logical, and understandable (something not to be taken for granted these days...). I liked the sparse sets, although I would have liked to see something more in the ball scene.
I think the greatest letdown of the night was Rossini himself. I didn't listen to La Cenerentola before coming. Sure, I knew the important arias/duets/etc, but I had never sat down and listened to the entire thing. Always meant to, but never did. I think I know why I never got through it. The music is boring! For Rossini, this one (musically) is a bit of a letdown. It has its moments of beauty, but on the whole, the music is nothing special. I would never want to listen to it. The staging saves the audience member the boredom of the music (the characters and story are great!) but shame on Rossini. He must have popped this one out on a week's notice or something. Very much non-inspired.
However, it was a great night. The singers and Mr. Benini did a fantastic job with what they had to work with. It was extremely enjoyable and it was very nice to meet Elina Garanca at the stage door.
I'd never heard Lawrence Brownlee live. He did not disappoint. His tenor voice is creamy and never strident. Aka worth listening to.
All the other singers were amazing. Of course I've waited too long to review this; I don't remember the nuances. I was just stunned by the fact that everyone was extraordinary. There was not a boring voice in the entire cast.
The production was a little old, but I enjoyed it. The staging was focused, logical, and understandable (something not to be taken for granted these days...). I liked the sparse sets, although I would have liked to see something more in the ball scene.
I think the greatest letdown of the night was Rossini himself. I didn't listen to La Cenerentola before coming. Sure, I knew the important arias/duets/etc, but I had never sat down and listened to the entire thing. Always meant to, but never did. I think I know why I never got through it. The music is boring! For Rossini, this one (musically) is a bit of a letdown. It has its moments of beauty, but on the whole, the music is nothing special. I would never want to listen to it. The staging saves the audience member the boredom of the music (the characters and story are great!) but shame on Rossini. He must have popped this one out on a week's notice or something. Very much non-inspired.
However, it was a great night. The singers and Mr. Benini did a fantastic job with what they had to work with. It was extremely enjoyable and it was very nice to meet Elina Garanca at the stage door.
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