Last night, (I was not in attendance), our opening for the first cast..saw the drama they show in mostly in films! The *Tosca*, Angela Ghiorgiou, became *indisposed* at the end of ACT I...and was rushed to the hospital for *exhaustion* and de-hydration .. (this is NOT an unusual occurrence for her)....BUT....the heart and soul of the story is that one of our young and very talented singers, Melody Moore, went on after a longer than usual intermission (and about 10 minutes of stage rehearsal)...and BLEW the AUDIENCE AWAY! Oh yes!
I have loved Melody*s voice and acting skills since I saw her last year in *Heart of a Soldier*... I am thrilled she made a grand and glorious entrance for the Opening Night Audience. Here are the two *Toscas* from their respective final dresses.
#1 (but only in numerical order) Angela Ghiorgiou, Marcello Giordano, Roberto Frontali
#2 (But #1 to me) Patricia Racette, Brian Jagde, Mark Delevan
Last, but not least, is the heroine of the hour, Melody Moore, singing in a concert performance at the Opera House last week (sans costume and sets).
JUST IN from one of the SF Papers
A star is born in 'Tosca' intermission
COURTESY PHOTO
Grand entrance: Melody Moore, who took over the title
role of “Tosca” mid-performance, dispensed with the evil Scarpia (Roberto
Frontali) in San Francisco Opera’s opening performance of Puccini’s popular
work.
Giacomo Puccini's 1900 "Tosca," one of world's most popular operas, has love,
jealousy, political oppression, an evil tyrant, torture, murder, execution, a
suicide leap... and great music.
But when San Francisco Opera's double-cast run of 12 performances opened Thursday, there was more: the diva took ill, the understudy stepped in, and a star was born. The young local favorite received an ovation that shook the walls of the War Memorial Opera House.
The full house greeted Angela Gheorghiu warmly in the title role when she appeared in the first act, a relief because she often cancels, although not here in The City. She sang well, but in an uncharacteristically subdued fashion.
After a longer than usual intermission, General Director David Gockley came out, and, looking stressed, announced that Gheorghiu was experiencing a sudden, severe attack of intestinal flu and being taken to the hospital.
Gockley said Melody Moore, a noted Merola-Adler program alumna, would take her place. During the half-hour it took her to get into costume, the audience milled around, buzzing. Adding to the drama was the fact Moore had never before performed the role.
The audience held its collective breath. Yet Moore appeared confident, secure and in good voice. When she sang her line to Scarpia, "I am not frightened," she was totally believable.
Another example of opera and life intertwining: When Scarpia sang "the diva is missing" (from the cantata being performed offstage), the audience burst into laughter tinged with stress.
Moore embarked on every understudy's dream, or nightmare, with ease and assurance. Her great aria, "Vissi d'arte" (I lived for art), came soon enough, and long, thunderous applause reflected appreciation and relief.
With "A Star Is Born" playing out center stage, it was difficult to pay attention to anything else. Nicola Luisotti's direction was uncharacteristically subdued in the first act, perhaps in deference to the situation, but the Te Deum soared (even with Roberto Frontali's just-good-enough Scarpia), and the orchestra was fine the rest of the evening.
Massimo Giordano's Cavaradossi was OK. He improved by the third act, but "E lucevan le stelle" (When the stars were shining) received only a smattering of accolades; Luisotti went on with the music, then halted briefly to allow the weak applause.
The opera’s alternate cast features Patricia Racette as Tosca, and another Merola-Adler rising star, Brian Jagde, as Cavaradossi.
On Friday, the company announced that Gheorghiu has recovered from severe dehydration and will perform at the scheduled Nov. 18 matinee.
But when San Francisco Opera's double-cast run of 12 performances opened Thursday, there was more: the diva took ill, the understudy stepped in, and a star was born. The young local favorite received an ovation that shook the walls of the War Memorial Opera House.
The full house greeted Angela Gheorghiu warmly in the title role when she appeared in the first act, a relief because she often cancels, although not here in The City. She sang well, but in an uncharacteristically subdued fashion.
After a longer than usual intermission, General Director David Gockley came out, and, looking stressed, announced that Gheorghiu was experiencing a sudden, severe attack of intestinal flu and being taken to the hospital.
Gockley said Melody Moore, a noted Merola-Adler program alumna, would take her place. During the half-hour it took her to get into costume, the audience milled around, buzzing. Adding to the drama was the fact Moore had never before performed the role.
The audience held its collective breath. Yet Moore appeared confident, secure and in good voice. When she sang her line to Scarpia, "I am not frightened," she was totally believable.
Another example of opera and life intertwining: When Scarpia sang "the diva is missing" (from the cantata being performed offstage), the audience burst into laughter tinged with stress.
Moore embarked on every understudy's dream, or nightmare, with ease and assurance. Her great aria, "Vissi d'arte" (I lived for art), came soon enough, and long, thunderous applause reflected appreciation and relief.
With "A Star Is Born" playing out center stage, it was difficult to pay attention to anything else. Nicola Luisotti's direction was uncharacteristically subdued in the first act, perhaps in deference to the situation, but the Te Deum soared (even with Roberto Frontali's just-good-enough Scarpia), and the orchestra was fine the rest of the evening.
Massimo Giordano's Cavaradossi was OK. He improved by the third act, but "E lucevan le stelle" (When the stars were shining) received only a smattering of accolades; Luisotti went on with the music, then halted briefly to allow the weak applause.
The opera’s alternate cast features Patricia Racette as Tosca, and another Merola-Adler rising star, Brian Jagde, as Cavaradossi.
On Friday, the company announced that Gheorghiu has recovered from severe dehydration and will perform at the scheduled Nov. 18 matinee.
Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/music/2012/11/star-born-tosca-intermission#ixzz2CQylXJUL
Tonight, Patricia Racette and Cast will take the stage...I think all will go as planned....but, perhaps Melody will be able to sing *Tosca* again - and soon!
Bravi Tutti to all!
Con Amore,
♥ Robin ♥
wow.. and you missed it all. Miss Diva better watch it.. she might get replaced by someone better. :))
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a better internet connection so I could hear these. Darn it, where is Tucson when I need it.
ReplyDeleteNever a dull moment in the opera world Robin!!
Hugs