Opening Night at the Met

It’s opening night at the Met and I’m listening to Mary Zimmerman’s production of Lucia di Lammermore. This performance is dedicated to the memory of the late Beverly Sills. The first act has ended and Met radio host Margaret Juntwait is interviewing Marcello Giordani who plays “Edgardo.” He’s talking about his son who doesn’t like opera because it takes his dad away from home so often; his son likes “Hip Hop” and Jay-Lo. (funny).

The first act was wonderful and (in scene 2) Natalie Dessay sang beautifully, the aria “Regnava nel silenzio”. You could feel the emotion, her love for Edgardo, with the sweet lilting rendition of the cabaletta “Quando rapita in estasi”. The Dessay-Giordani duet, their loving farewell to close the act, “Verranno a te sull’ a ure,” was magical, as first Dessay, then Giordani, then both together sang the beautiful melody.

Soon the curtain will rise on Act II…

7:47: Act II has ended. The sextet sounded great (powerful) and I understand the staging was incredible, essentially a wedding photo. (interesting). It’s intermission and Maestro Pla¡cido Domingo has joined Margaret Juntwait; they’re discussing tomorrow night’s performance of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, which Domingo is conducting.

Mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne has just walked in and they’re talking about singing bel canto and how demanding it is. The ability to sing the legato is key (which goes without saying). Domingo departs…

Horne is talking about what she’s been up to and it appears she’s been doing a lot of teaching. She likes working with “young people,” and she says it actually keeps her young. (A feeling that’s important, I suppose, being a grandma and all). Now compliments for Domingo and the work he does (and his interest in) developing young performers.

They’re wrapping up (you can hear the orchestra warming up in the background). It sounds like Horne will be returning to the Met tomorrow night for Roméo et Juliette. Horne departs…

Act III is about to begin and Lucia will soon go mad…

I’m sipping a glass of Glengoyne Scotch, smooth and warm…

9:24:The third act closes and the opera ends to enthusiastic applause. Dessay’s vocal display of “Il dolce suono,” during Lucia’s “mad scene” was dramatic and thrilling. A cadenza as the aria ended added to the sweet sadness of the song. Dessay drew extended applause for her performance during this scene, “brava, brava”.

Giordani’s singing of Edgardo’s heart-wrenching final farewell, “Tu che a Dio spiegasti l’ali,” was excellent. Evidently, Lucia came out as a spirit and encouraged Edgardo to join her in death. A different twist to the end of the opera. I guess it makes sense. After all, Edgardo’s final words are to Lucia.

Now Margaret Juntwait is describing the curtain calls…

Standing ovation!

Fantastic performance!

The Met’s Opening Night Gala is over.