Monday, March 02, 2009

Racette is in!

Christina Gallardo-Domas is sick. That's a too bad because she'll miss the HD broadcast of the Met's gorgeous production of Madama Butterfly this Saturday. Lucky for us, Patricia Racette, the definitive Butterfly, is in. She will sing the two remaining performances which includes this Saturday's HD Broadcast and will ultimately get the DVD imortalizing her brilliant performance. Get well soon Christina, but brava Patricia!!

4 comments:

Esther said...

Wow, I'll have to look for the DVD when it comes out. Sadly, I have to work on Saturday, because I would like to see this again.

Tyler Barton said...

I was rather looking forward to hearing Gallardo-Domas sing the role of Butterfly since she originated the role in this marvelous production a couple of seasons ago, but I agree that Racette is a gifted interpreter of the role of Cio Cio San. I shall not be attending the "Live in HD" screening because I should rather like to see Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Florez in Bellini's "La Sonnambula" later this month, and if I see the one, I am not entirely sure that I shall be allowed to see the other. Beside that minor detail, if I am not too occupied doing something else, I shall follow then entire performance with my copy of the score, which is something I could not do in the dim light of a cinema. If you go, I hope you enjoy it. By the way, did you see this production when it opened?

-Tyler.

Sarah B. Roberts said...

Tyler, the second opera I ever saw was the old Met production. Of this Anthony Minghella production I saw the dress rehearsal, the first opening night broadcast to the plaza, again in the house. The following season I saw it with Racette. This season I saw it in the fall with Maria Gavrilova who replaced Racette when she was out sick. I'm thrilled that Pat is doing it. For you to say that Pat is a "gifted interpreter" is a huge understatement. Pat has sung the role more, in more venues around the world, than in any other soprano. I'm not kidding when I saw she is the definitive Butterfly, at least of our time. Gallardo-Domas acted the role fine and looked the role because she is very petite, but as far as voice goes, she has nothing on Pat, especially since the three time I heard her sing it, I was shocked and dismayed at her shredded unhealthy voice. If you're not seeing the HD broadcast, I suppose you'll have to wait for the PBS broadcast to see what I mean and agree with me.

Tyler Barton said...

OK, OK, Sarah, I agree with you! When I said that I was looking forward to hearing Gallardo-Domas sing the role, I did not mean to give the impression that I did not like Racette as Cio Cio San, but I have never heard her in the role before tomorrow. In defense of her attributes both as a singer and an actress, for which it appears you have much admiration, I have enjoyed everything I have heard her sing, that being the broadcast premiere of Picker's "An American Tragedy," which I can now confess I only began to listen to because I knew Susan Graham was singing in the broadcast, and Britten's "Peter Grimes" last season, which at first I was quite prepared to abandon before I gave it a chance since I do not usually enjoy American/English opera. This will be my first time hearing Racette sing in an Italian role, and if I am to accept your judgement, I do not think that I shall be disappointed.

-Tyler.