Ah Mes Amis! It's Juan's Birthday!!!!

(Let me take this time to say HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! I usually only say that at this time anyway since it takes a while for the idea to settle into my head. It usually takes me about two weeks before I'm used to righting the new year on my homework, so here's my belated new year wish.)

Juan Diego Florez. Well, we all know who that is, don't we?
Oh you know, the little tenor who broke not just one, but TWO encore traditions in the course of a year.
Did you know it was his birthday? That's what I'm here for.
Let's take a look at some of his famous roles and some of my favorite clips:

Let's start with the obvious: "Ah Mes Amis...Pour mon ame"
"Una Furtiva Lagrima"
"A Te O Cara"
"Ecco ridente in cielo"
"Cessa di piu resistere"
"A leve toi soleil"
"La donna e mobile"
"Sogno soave e casto"
"Pour me rapprocher de Marie" (listen to that Db and tell me that's not one of the most beautiful things ever)
and extensive coverage on his wedding??

Happy Birthday Juan!!!! WE LOVE YOU! (but mainly me =])

Happy Listening!!!! =)

Rataplan! Rataplan! Rataplan!

La Fille du Regiment
Gaetano Donizetti
May 2nd, 2008


My dad said that it was the single best opera performance he had ever been to in his life. In his entire life. I had to think for a minute when he said this, but after a while I nodded and said, "I might have to agree with you."

It might not have been as emotionally or operatically draining as the day I saw Otello and Carmen within a few hours of each other. It might not have been as... Actually... You know, I think maybe it was. There are no exceptions to this rule (so far). Juan Diego Florez and Natalie Dessay (along with the rest of the cast) blew the roof off of the Met like I have never seen before. Every aria, duet, trio, or ensemble was greeted with ovations that were twice as long, or more, as one would usual hear. I have never heard an audience react like that. Not only to "Ah mes amis" (for which there was no encore, but the ovation went on for longer than at the HD!) but for all of Natalie's arias, JDF's second act aria, and everything else.
Speaking of Juan Diego Florez's second act aria... that Db was out of this world. It's still ringing in my ears. What. A. Voice. He played his character as a country bumpkin. Sort of nerdy, but it worked. When he was running on stage for the first act duet, he tripped on the clothes line and slid down the stage. A little unprepared humor. Natalie Dessay acted the daylights out of that role! She sang so masterfully! The most glorious sounds came out of her mouth while she was a) lying on her back b) peeling potatoes c) folding laundry, and d) being carried around the stage. I've never seen anything like it. Her mumbling to the audience in the first act was really funny. I could hardly hear her, but I'm not sure you're supposed to.
Felicity Palmer, Alessandro Corbelli, Marian Seldes, what more is there to say? Palmer and Corbelli sounded just as wonderful as in the broadcast. No disappointments there. Madame Seldes's humor seemed less over the top in the house. However, the "bobsled team" was funny only once. Her French might not have improved, but she was so funny and what a presence! (Note: I think she was miked. I'm not sure, I could be wrong.)
Notable Notables: Donald Maxwell as Hortensuis. While I think the HD suited him better, he brought a lot to his character and made it so funny. The french horn player, who has a solo in the overture. I love the french horn and when it sounds like that it really takes you to a different place. I loved it.
One of my favorite parts was the trio "Tous les trois reunis" not only because the music is so fabulous, but the staging for it was funny and clever. Natalie had to correct the audience with a shake of her finger when they (some, not all) applauded at the wrong times. I'm a sucker for this kind of thing, but when Sulpice (aka Corbelli) sings "Ecoutez moi!" and the others start singing while he holds it you could have knocked me down with a feather. I love when composers do that. It's so fulfilling!
The chorus and orchestra were once again phenomenal. Marco Armiliato really knows his stuff. He always seems like he's having a great time.

I had to mentally prepare myself during intermission to enter the Belmont Room. We had two passes, but I was so nervous! My dad says I'm impressed too easily, but all of those knowledgeable people in there are quite frightening. It turns out they're not that bad, but they did stare at me a great deal, being the youngest person there by far. It's such a lovely room and it looked like there were original manuscripts of something, but I couldn't get close enough to see.
We usually drive to and from the Met, but this time we took the train. In the subway there was a flute player playing "Ah, mes amis." I've heard stories about the flute player, but I'd never seen him. I gave him a big salute and enjoyed the music for the rest of the wait.


If only all performances could be that amazing. After a performance like that you feel like you've really accomplished something. Even though you were not in the show, the audience is a part of it. THE most important part of it. Usually I'm very jumpy and giggly after an opera, but this time I was very calm. I thought to myself "Wow, I've really seen something great. I've accomplished something." It's a good feeling.


Happy Listening!!! =)

Quel Jour de Fete! (en HD)

Tonio- Juan Diego Florez

Marie- Natalie Dessay

Marquise of Berkenfield- Felicity Palmer

Sulpice- Alessandro Corbelli

Duchess of Krankenthorp- Marian Seldes

Hortensius- Donald Maxwell

Conductor- Marco Armiliato

A sigh and a groan went up in the Metropolitan Opera House when, after minutes of applause and a few mid-opera bows, Juan Diego Florez did not begin an encore. *sigh* Everyone in the movie theater just went "Aw, man." Life went on. Ohhhh, but the JDF fun doesn't stop there! He was simply glorious the whole show! His acting was (in my opinion) even better than at the Barber's last season. His voice was, as usual, amazing and the D flat at the end of his second act aria blew me away! It's still ringing in my ears. I've never heard something like that before, it was beautiful! Well, he's beautiful so it works.

It was wrong of me to say that Natalie Dessay was "sadly neglected" because she received enormous ovations for her numerous arias and final curtain call. I had always thought well of her, and liked her Lucia earlier this season, but this performance sealed the deal! I have officially hitched onto the Natalie Dessay bandwagon!!! Her singing is amazing and her acting is impeccable. Her coloratura is fast and furious, her high notes are sharp, and her personality is as big as the Met stage. Brava.

Felicity Palmer and Alessandro Corbelli were fabulous as the Marquise and Sulpice. Last season Corbelli was dee-heelightful as Gianni Schicci and I'm so glad he's back doing another comic role! Felicity Palmer is no stranger to opera fans and she sounded so wonderful! It made me so happy to hear her. They were so funny together, they worked off of each other and the other cast members so well. They obviously love what they are doing and it was so enjoyable to watch them.

The illustrious (strait-laced, anyone?) Duchess of Krankenthorp was played by the famous Marian Seldes. While this is only a speaking role, it is quite easy for the Duchess to steal the show. Although she had a commanding presence and a knack for all things comic, Madame Seldes might not have a strong hold on the French language. It's tough stuff (I would know, I'm studying it now), so we won't hold it against her! I think that maybe some of her scripted comedy and bursts of English were a little over the top, she was hysterically funny and it's easy to say that she left a lasting impression on the Met audience.

Some may not love this new production my Laurent Pelly, but I thought it was marvelous! His vision of Marie was very different from some other productions (i.e. Sutherland at Covent Garden), but I think it went perfectly with the role. Instead of having Marie be dressed up, Pelly had Dessay in a tank top and overalls, doing all the dirty work and getting messy. She was a true tomboy, and I loved it! The production as a whole was beautiful. Very modern, but not obnoxious or Eurotrash-y. Alessandro Corbelli said in the intermission interview that it was "fresh" and that he loved it. He's absolutely right!

What is there to say about the chorus and orchestra? Marco Armiliato kept the tempo up and made the orchestra sound its best. The best it sounded was during the orchestra and the entr'acte, but it sounded wonderful throughout. The chorus sounded superb and it was a delight to watch them commit to all the physical demands this production calls for.

I'm also seeing this on Friday, so I will have more details then. GO SEE THE ENCORE TOMORROW IN MOVIE THEATERS!!!!!!

Happy Listening!! =)

Mr. Gelb, I'm Ready For My Bis..

Alternate Titles:

To Bis or Not To Bis. That is the Question.

Bis in Our Time.

(both conveniently taken by La Cieca, but that's okay because I like this title, too.)

I tend to buy my HD tickets a little late. I might have to stop doing that since word is getting around that my town movie theater is doing the transmissions. Anyway, I bought mine earlier and can't wait!!!! Juan Diego Florez = <3

Big Question: Will he bis?

I hope so. What a piece of history!

Happy Listening!!!!! =)

Ban, What Ban? Matthew Polenzani, THAT Matthew Polenzani? (Plus a "Who's Suing Who")

JDF and Peter Gelb admitted that the bis on Monday was not completely spontaneous. In fact, Peter Gelb had asked our dear Juan Diego weeks ago if he would be willing to do an encore. The rest (while also being history...) is explained in the article. We at Score Desk would also like to note that although the NY Times article says, "Before Monday night the only such occasion had been Luciano Pavarotti's repeating the second-act tenor aria in “Tosca” in 1994, Met officials said." We were not aware that Puccini had made "Vissi D'arte" an alternate for the tenor. Saying otherwise would be supposing that, in fact, the tenor aria they were referring to was in the THIRD act and therefore inferring that they got it wrong. Of course, we would never do anything of the sort.
There's also a video accompanying that article! Have fun watching it over and over!
Bernard Holland (who actually decided to attend the event he was reviewing) wrote this review about Monday's performance. While only briefly touching on the bis, he goes on to talk about tuning, the "drab" production, and Natalie Dessay's gorgeous singing. Ms. Dessay has been sadly neglected in this whole fiasco, so let's give her one unanimous pat on the back for taking it so well. No diva tantrums for this opera star!!!!!


Even after the tragic and heartbreaking death of Beverly Sills, the Beverly Sills Award is alive and well. This years recipient is the ultratalented and award-worthy Matthew Polenzani. After blowing me away in last years "Magic Flute", he captured my heart during a Sirius broadcast during which he was asked what opera character he was most like. To this question he replied, "I am most like Romeo because I have loved like that. Every day my love for my wife grows stronger." Or something to that effect, and he went on for a few minutes in that fashion. Margaret Juntwait hit the nail on the head when she said, "Every woman listening just went 'aaaahh.'" Congratulations to Matthew Polenzani! You deserve every award you get!


Who's Suing Who? (And For What?)
The Rosenblatt Recital Series is suing Erwin Schrott of Schrebko (aka. Anna's baby's daddy) because of his breach of contract for the second year in a row. He cancelled his recital (scheduled for June 11th) for unknown reasons, to the fury of Mr. Rosenblatt. He had this to say to the barihunk Schrott:

"For our audience to be treated with such gross unprofessionalism and disrespect
by Mr Schrott, on two occasions, is something that shouldn’t be
tolerated.
“This is a regrettable situation, but for the reputation of my
Series I cannot allow artists, with no lawful excuse, to renege on their
contractual commitments.
"In the seven years I’ve been running our recital
series I have been impressed time and again by the dedication of singers to
their art and their public. Singers such as Mr Schrott give opera a bad name and
a reputation for not caring for the people that pay to hear them sing.
“I am
disgusted by Mr Schrott’s callous disregard to his contractual obligations. His
behaviour is cowardly and I can only wonder if he has the guts to appear on a
London concert platform as this is the second time he’s backed out of appearing
here.”

Ouch.... I'd be angry too, but this is a full on RANT! Hey, that's my job!!!



Happy Listening!!! =)

JDF BREAKS ANOTHER ENCORE RULE AND WE LOVE HIM ALL THE MORE FOR IT!

THAT'S RIGHT!!!!! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!!!!! JUAN DIEGO FLOREZ DID, JUST MOMENTS AGO, AN ENCORE OF "POUR MON AME" DURING LA FILLE DU REGIMENT AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA!!!!!

FIRST LA SCALA, NOW HERE!!!!! WHAT A GUY!!!

GO JDF, GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU


Happy Listening!! =)

The Pope, The Youth, The Classical Music

I'M SO SORRY. I haven't written since the 17th (yes, I've counted the days) for the simple reason that I have been staying at my grandparent's house (no computer) so I could see the pope at the youth rally in Yonkers. What an experience!!!!! To avoid rambling endlessly about the pope, I will move on to the other important aspect of the day. THE MUSIC!

Most of the music was wonderful (despite what some may assume, I DO know every word to Kelly Clarkson songs!) even though the "Ave Maria" less than thrilled me. (Was Renee Fleming out of town? Aprile Millo? Marcello Giordani? Florez? Kiri? Domingo?) The rapping brother really was a highlight, so was "Hear I Am." Okay, here's what you've been wondering... Was there any crossover? Well, I'm hear to tell you that yes, in fact, there was! The Three Graces, even though they sounded nice (I'm going to get murdered) as soon as I heard "a mix of pop, Broadway, and opera" I groaned. Here we go again. Joy was the opera singer, we were told, and she had recently performed in La Boheme. In the spirit of this holy event I will not say anything nasty. They sounded nice. All had lovely voices. =)
The singer for the mass was really good. The litany was beautiful! I almost wish she had sung the "Ave" instead of Kelly Clarkson. It comes down to star power in the end.
The pope was the real highlight, though. I just thought you'd rather hear about the music.

This all sparked a thought in my head. Two questions came into my mind.
Did the pope pick the artists that would be performing?
What sort of music does he really like?
in other words...
Does he know who Kelly Clarkson is?
Would he rather have Domingo again, or have Florez?

I think some should call Benny up and ask him. (Benny=B 16=the pope... we all have our loving nicknames. =])


Happy Listening!! =)


PS. LIVE "FILLE DU REGIMENT" TONIGHT ON THE MET WEBSITE/SIRIUS RADIO!!!!!!! EVERYONE LISTEN!!!!!!!

Juan Diego Florez and Julia Trappe

They were married (again?) in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Florez's native Peru. The Lima Cathedral has not held a wedding since 1949. It seems like the press went wild in Peru! Here in America we're more worried about Jay-Z marrying Beyonce. =P

Congratulations to both!!!!!


Happy Listening!! =)


PS. I'm listening to the Boheme again (Sirius) and I starting to notice the slowness as compared to the two recordings I have. At some points it's more apparent than others. It doesn't irk me as much as it does some other people.

JDF!!!!

Rigoletto being broadcast LIVE right now!!!! Right now there are interviews going on in Spanish. Not sure what they are saying, because I don't speak Spanish. I'm going to guess the basic gist of it is "JDF OWNS YOU ALL." Hey, if I spoke Spanish that's what I would be saying!!!

I'm so excited. It's out of this world.

Update: It's a scene change and I made up a song. I went to go tell my mom that I was listening to the broadcast and this came out:
*To the tune of "La Donna e Mobile"*

Juan Diego Florez
Is live from Peru
It's from Peru
And it's Juan Diego Florez

He is singing
The Duke of Mantua
From Rigoletto
It's in Peru

It's live from Peru
And it's super cool
Juan Diego Flooooooreeezzzz
I-i-i-is amazing!!!
mm-MM-MM mm-MM-MM
Juan Diego Florez
mm-MM-MM mm-MM-MM
I-IS live from Peru!

Update: Verse 2

Juan Diego Florez
is really coo-oo-ool
He's really cool
Because he's the Duke

He is the Duke
And he seduces Gilda
But that's not cool
Nooooo that's not cool
(No-ot cool, No-ot cool)
But JDF is still cool
(Sti-ill cool, Sti-ill cool)
Ye-es he's still cool

Happy Listening!!! =)

JDF Rigoletto News Flash!!!!

JDF'f Rigoletto is being broadcast live from Lima, Peru tomorrow evening at 8:30 (New York time) and in Europe that's around 2:30 am. So listen here at your respective time. =)
It's freaky to think that NY is in the same time zone as some place as far away (seemingly) as Peru! Funny how the world works.


The best part is, I'll be back from ballet class on time.


Happy Listening!!! =)

Be Jealous. Because I Am!!! And Other News

Hearing about anything exciting that happens at the Met makes me want to drop out of school and just live in the Met. Not a bad life. I'll make friend with the Grand Tier Restaurant people, get great food. I'll steal an usher outfit and show everyone how well I know my way around. Plus, you get paid to watch the opera! Usher!!!!!!!!!!! (Dream college job.)
If anyone would like to support me in my new life style feel free to let me know. If you knows someone who knows someone who can get me a little space where I can live in the Met, that's cool. If a friend of a friend can arrange to get me free tickets every night that would be pretty great also.

What prompted this ramble? Well, hearing about the fabulous tribute to Franco Zefferelli is one thing. The 347th performance of Boheme is another. Oh wait, they're the same thing. A star studded event that cut right in the middle of the performance, after the famous and illustrious Act II. Some of the guests were (just to name a few) Rosalind Elias, Richard Stilwell, Lucine Amara, Eva Marton, Leona Mitchell and Justino Diaz. Nice. I was there in spirit of course, but it's not the same. Oh yeah, I heard the actual performance was good, too. Just if you were wondering.

In totally unrelated and random news:
So I have two major crushes in the opera world. It's bad, because they're both married. There's also the age thing. Whatever. Brad Pitt is old(er), too. =P So anyway, my two major crushes are:

Juan Diego Florez. You don't even know. No, you really don't know. Julia Trappe is lucky she got there first. So, JDF is staring in Rigoletto in Peru right now. I'm temporarily moving my home from the Met to Peru. Opera Chic has a couple of videos showing the ever amazing Juan Diego in the ever amazing role of the Duke of Mantua. *sigh* Dear Peter Gelb, give this man a Rigoletto. I seem to be ordering Peter Gelb around a lot lately. Still, Juan Diego deserves it.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Married before I got there. Oh, well. It started with the Onegin last season where my friend and I dubbed him "white haired guy." For a while that's all we talked about and our other friends thought we were nuts. Well, she got over him. Umm... me? Not so much. He's still one of the best barihunks in the business and the NY Times knows how to tell it to you straight. He's just fabulous. Really, really fabulous. (P.S. In the first video of him I really wish they didn't make him wear a wig... oh well)


Quick Recap:
I'm dropping out of school and living at the Met (it's a secret of course). I'm then taking a vacation to Peru and seeing JDF in Rigoletto. I'm stealing some one's job as an usher at the Met. Oh, and I also told you me two secret (not really, it was quite obvious) operatic crushes.
Get it?
Got it?
Good.



Happy Listening!! =)

This Weekend's Excitements

Well, yesterday there was the NYCO's Madama Butterfly Live from Lincoln Center on PBS. I came in at the end of Act I and found the two stars in wonderful voice. James Valenti not only possessing a beautiful tenor voice, he also possesses a lovely tenor physique!!!! No exaggeration needed. Shu-Ying Li as Cio-cio San looked and sounded graceful and wonderful. Susan Graham was the host. I was slightly surprised as I was expecting Renee Fleming, opera's new Katie Couric and the Met's poster girl. Susan Graham looked like she stole Ms. Fleming's wardrobe stylist and her hair. Fleming let Susan borrow her hair since she sorta likes the new corn-row Shakira style hair from the Met's Thais.

Speaking of Renee Fleming...
"I'm a Pilates nut. I found that it's really changed my body. After two children you think you will never in your life have a flat stomach again, and I'm here to tell you that Pilates can do it."
was among other fascinating comment's regarding geography, courtesans, and being booed at La Scala.


This weekend, to my disappointment (although I wish him will), Juan Diego Florez is in Peru for his wedding. =( =( Around this time last year Mr. Florez and Julia Trappe were married in a "private and secretive ceremony" in Vienna. Now they are both in Peru for a- I am guessing- religious ceremony. All I have to say is: Ms. Trappe, you're lucky you got to him first.


Unless you're not too tired from this Saturday's Tristan and Isolde HD transmission I recommend these two wonderful television programs that air this Sunday. Two of the John Adams episodes have already aired, but tune in anyway, it's such a great show!!! Let it be known that since watching the movie "1776" at age ohhhh I would say 8 or 9, I have been enthralled by this point in American history and by the story of John Adams. Also, since the age of 8 or 9 I've also been enchanted by all things Jane Austen.
Well-rounded? Yes, you could say that.


Happy Listening!! =)

I'm Back from Vacation

And I am VERY disappointed in you people!!! I've been gone since Monday and there have been no scandals, firings, pregnancies, breakups, tantrums (well there was Kiri's, but that was very small), extravagant deaths, or anything worth of a big headline this whole week! No one could create anything to keep me interested when I came back?
Well, I got the good news that JDF is completely recovered, so I can stop sweating over "Fille."

Here's my opera news for the week:

Old news: The Callas "Tosca" is amazing. If you don't have it, buy it, listen, and worship.

News: I bought the book "The Story of Manon Lescaut" from an "old and rare books" store in the little town I was staying in. I'm very excited. I feel very professional.


It's not much, so how do you think I felt?
=P


Happy Listening!!!! =)

Dilemma!!!

My parents gave me an ultimatum:

Renee in Othello

or

Juan Deigo in Fille


Because I can't go to both? They have to go to one together and they have to choose between those two. Even though I chose "Manon Lescaut" for them to go to they have dinner plans for that night. I'm desperate!!!

My favorite soprano, or my favorite tenor. Let's see.... Hard decision? YES. Once in a lifetime or once in a liftime... Let's weigh the pros and cons. I have been begging to see Renee for some time now and I already saw Juan Diego in "Barbiere" last season. Renee is doing two productions next year. Juan Diego's next NY "Fille" is a few seasons away (but stillllll). Pros... cons.... Still can't decide!

Does anyone have any idea what I should do??? Please help me!!!


Happy Listening!!! =)

JDF Swallows Fish Bone, World in Chaos

'Tis true. Juan Diego is cancelling ALL performances of the LOC "Barbiere" because of a throat infection caused by his swallowing a fishbone. Doctor's say he can't sing until mid-March at the EARLIEST. Conflicts with "Fille"??? We'll see. The article says it's still scheduled, so we'll have to wait it out. John Osborn is scheduled to replace JDF.



ATTENTION WORLD: WE HAVE FOUND NEMO. JUAN DIEGO FLOREZ SWALLOWED HIM.



Happy Swimming!!=) Oh, I mean- Happy Listening!!! =)

BirthdayDesk?

Well, you know someone like THIS deserves a big birthday hug! I wish...


Three words:
Juan. Diego. Florez.





Happy Listening! =)

Juan Diego Florez and Julia Trappe

I believe some congratulations are in order...

On Monday, April 23rd, Juan Diego Florez and Julia Trappe were married in Vienna in a private and secretive ceremony.
There was a celebration on Wednesday, April 25th, at the Staatsoper after a performance of Fille du Regiment.

The full story and more updates on Juan Diego Florez may be found here:

http://operachic.typepad.com/opera_chic/juan_diego_flrez/index.html

and here:

http://jcarreras.homestead.com/WeHearThat.html

May they live happily ever after!!
The End. =)

Il Barbiere di Siviglia

There's a wide line between a good performance and an amazing performance.

Last night's "Barber" at the Metropolitan Opera past far over that line. Far, far over.

If there was ever such a thing as a perfect performance of "Barber of Seville" this was definitely it. Mind you, I don't usually give out this kind of praise lightly. An opera production has to work extra hard for me to call it "perfect." Bartlett Sher's sets were fun and inventive to say the least. When the singers came to the front of the platform that overhang the orchestra pit, it was fantastic! The people in the front row could have reached out and touched the singers! The costumes looked wonderful! My favorite costumes definitely had to be Don Bartolo's and, of course, the Don Alonso wig.

Where to begin with the singing. Where to begin...
Let's start with John Del Carlo. A phenomenal Bartolo. Funny in all the right places and menacing in all the others. He is probably about 6-foot-6 because he made Peter Mattei look like a midget. (Maybe it was the white wig???) He did have, I feel, a little bit of trouble with the high note of his aria "A un dottore della mia sorte," but with all the coloratura that comes before, I can't blame him. Claudia Waite (Berta) also had a little problem with a note in her aria, but it didn't affect the rest of her performance at all! She was a wonderful Berta.
John Relyea (who seems to be singing everything at the Met this season) was a very exciting Don Basilio. His aria "La calunnia" was amazing. It was funny in that "I'm supposed to be scary, but instead I'm funny" kind of way. Every one in the smaller parts (Fiorello, the captain, etc.) was splendid. They did a very very excellent job.
On to the main singers of the evening: Juan Diego Florez, Joyce DiDonato, and Peter Mattei. Joyce DiDonato, I don't believe I can say anything that will really do her credit. Her Rosina was fun, witty, a little immature (but isn't she supposed to be?), and you really believe her when she says that she can turn to a viper. She was a damn good singer, too! "Una voce poco fa" went from pleasure to pleasure with every moment she sang. The "Music Lesson" scene was hysterical and sang very very very well. Everything about her portrayal was perfect. (Did you hear that? "Perfect." I used that word again.) Peter Mattei is simply the greatest Figaro out there. He embodies the character so wonderfully and dramatically, he never skips a beat. His acting was sublime and faultless. Mattei doesn't have a problem with distinguishing acting and singing. He does both wonderfully. There was an entire article in the NY Times about people like Peter Mattei who not only sing beautifully, but act beautifully, too. The opera really is Figaro's opera and last night was obviously Mattei's night to shine.

Now, you have to understand something about me and Juan Diego Florez. We have never met, and this is the first time I ever saw him live, in person, on stage, with him right there in front of me. (And I don't want to sound like a stalker/freak but...) Even though we have never met I plan on meeting and marrying Mr. Florez even though he was no idea who in the world I am...yet. Not to mention to extreme age difference, but who cares about those things anymore? That being said, I was in no way biased to think that Mr. Florez sang like an angel last night. =) His Count Almaviva is like no other Count Almaviva in the history of "Barber of Seville." I almost melted into the floor when he sang "Ecco Ridente." I wasn't sure if I could take the rest of it! The Don Alonso (aka "Music Lesson") part of the second act remains one of the funniest (and one of my favorite) moments in the opera. I say "pace e gioia" nearly every single day. His acting was incredible and his singing incomparable!! He not only sang well, but he didn't look half bad, either! His costumes were great! I loved them. I loved him!

Thank you Uncle Tommy for this great night!!! I had sooooo much fun! (PS thanks for putting up with my huge gasp whenever Juan Diego Florez came on the stage lol. I'm sure it got annoying <3<3)

Having said all that,
Pace e Gioia everybody!!!!