|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 03 February 2012 22:55:31
Posts: 1,420,
Visits: 2,776
|
|
Thank you John I read it a bit late
It is not the things that I have done that I regret but the things I did not do. KJA
   
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 12 January 2012 23:24:08
Posts: 37,
Visits: 60
|
|
| I queue for the first performance for a "day" ticket! I arrived at 7.20am at Covent Garden, a great effort as I am usually a later night person, and was 38 in the queue. At least ten people had slept there overnight!!!!! Yes I did a aquire a ticket and worth absolutely every penny. I watched the broadcast last night and it gave an entirely new perspective in close-up. A wonderful experience and I am now thinking concert version at the Royal Albert Hall.
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 21 January 2012 14:32:29
Posts: 652,
Visits: 979
|
|
Placido Domingo was absolutely wonderful in Simon Boccanegra!! I loved every minute.
It was really amazing just to be in the ROH for the first time and I just about had to pinch myself to see if it was real. I arrived well in advance not wanting to risk being late and then excluded until an interval. I had a great seat in the orchestra stalls with a perfect view. I had plenty of time to take in my surroundings and see what a trully superb venue this is.
The conductor of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House was Antonio Pappano and he and the orchestra gave an excellent performance throughout this Verdi opera, which has some gorgeous music.
It was an awesome moment when Placido came on stage and started to sing  and I had achieved my long held ambition to see him perform live at the ROH. This, of course, is a baritone role and I have to admit it was a bit strange not to hear him sing in his usual tenor role. However, he gave a superb performance in both stagecraft and vocals. His presence really brought the audience to life.
All of the cast gave excellent performances but I would have to single out Joseph Calleja who sang the role of Gabriele Adorno - he has a wonderful tenor voice and just about stole the show!
There was one interesting situation in that Ferruccio Furlanetto who sang the role of Jacopo Fiesco had a problem wih a throat infection and was not able to sing. He acted the role on stage while John Tomlinson sang the role from the side of the stage. This did not in any way detract from the overall performance and was really well done by both gentlemen.
All too soon the opera was at an end. There were, of course, several curtain calls (four to be exact) and a standing ovation and all so very well deserved. Placido - well, he got an extra big cheer - even from me!!
Antonio Pappano is an amazing musician and so full of enthusiasm - he is quite small and everyone towered over him at the curtain calls. He may be small in stature but he is a giant when it comes to talent.
Enjoy it?? - You bet I did!!!!! 
Well, of course, I could not just see one opera while I was there so I was back again the next night to see La Traviata with Angela Gheorghiu in the role of Violetta.
WOW! What a voice she has and she was in command of the stage from her first appearance to the final death scene. She gave a spectacular and emotional performance, which I thought was beautiful throughout. At one point she sings very softly and although I was in the Amphitheatre (the gods) I could hear every note clearly. The ROH has superb accoustics.
The other performance which really stood out for me in this opera was Zeljko Lucic in the role of Giorgio Germont (the father of Alfredo who is Violetta's lover). He gave a really strong performance which I adored.
The conductor was Yves Abel and again the orchestra was on top form.
The cast only got three curtain calls - a bit mean I thought as Angela's performance ranked just as highly as Placido's the previous night in my opinion.
Well, I had a superb time. Now it is back to saving up for my next trip!
Pam
May Your Ambitions Be Fulfilled - Always
|
|
|
|
|
Here To Help
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 03 December 2011 17:46:00
Posts: 2,788,
Visits: 5,933
|
|
| Hi Pam I'm glad to hear you had a great time, It came over well in the TV but live is the way to hear it best. WOW! What a voice she has and she was in command of the stage from her first appearance to the final death scene. She gave a spectacular and emotional performance, which I thought was beautiful throughout. At one point she sings very softly and although I was in the Amphitheatre (the gods) I could hear every note clearly. The ROH has superb accoustics. I can relate to what you say about Angela Gheorghiu, She was in a class of her own at the Classical Brits. Many thanks for an interesting report from both performances Keep saving the pennies for next time
Johnp
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 03 February 2012 22:55:31
Posts: 1,420,
Visits: 2,776
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 29 January 2012 18:03:28
Posts: 1,176,
Visits: 1,147
|
|
Hi Pam
Thanks for your report, it sounds like it was well worth blowing the bank for these two performances.
Angela Gheorghiu is a very talented lady indeed and I was fortunate to be at the RAH to hear her sing at the Classical Brits and I can confirm that Karen's jaw did move towards the direction of the floor! 
The recording she did of Madam Butterfly with Jonas Kauffman and conducted by Tony Pappano is magnificent, but to hear her sing live is another story!
All the best and thanks for the report.
Regards
Graham
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 07:21:40
Posts: 246,
Visits: 720
|
|
Some people here compare apples with oranges... compare lyric sopranos with mezzos.
Who wants to go to opera, please go now, otherwise it might prove to be a very long wait.
Cliff
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 08 September 2011 19:12:06
Posts: 687,
Visits: 848
|
|
Thanks for the report Pam, it sounds like you had 2 tremendous nights at the ROH.
I have to agree that Placido and Angela are two magnificent performers, and the reviews I have read have been very appreciative of both performances, even by the critics standards.
Hearing Angela perform the Love Aria from Madame Butterfly at the Brits caused my jaw to go southwards, as well as Karen's Certainly a performance that stays in the mind.
To see her, and indeed Placido, in a full opera must be amazing.
Look forward to seeing you at Ripley on Saturday
Gary
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 10 January 2011 22:38:10
Posts: 731,
Visits: 1,064
|
|
Hi Pam
Thanks for the full reports , it sounds as though you had a wonderful time.A completely unique experience .
I can't imagine Placido as a barritone, but it shows how versatile he is.
Now it's time to save your pennies for next year's operas at Covent Garden
Best wishes
Katrina
Katrina
|
|
|
|
|
Here To Help
Group: Diamond Club Members
Last Login: 03 December 2011 17:46:00
Posts: 2,788,
Visits: 5,933
|
|
.Gwarb (23/07/2010)
Thanks for the report Pam, it sounds like you had 2 tremendous nights at the ROH. I have to agree that Placido and Angela are two magnificent performers, and the reviews I have read have been very appreciative of both performances, even by the critics standards. Hearing Angela perform the Love Aria from Madame Butterfly at the Brits caused my jaw to go southwards, as well as Karen's Certainly a performance that stays in the mind. To see her, and indeed Placido, in a full opera must be amazing. Look forward to seeing you at Ripley on Saturday Gary Hi Gary I can confirm that your jaw dropped as I was sat in front of you, I had 27 stitches but am feeling better now  I must get around to buying this CD, this is the one, isn't it? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002PJ8BE6/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=08D5C7CXWEA27X6176QP&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294
Johnp
|
|
|
|