Tonight: Madama Butterfly at New York City Opera

Tonight, I finally cross the plaza to see a bonafide opera in that other house in Lincoln Center.  I won tickets via City Opera's twitter!    It turns out that I've saw this production on PBS in 2008, but that's okay, because there's nothing like the live experience.

Set the DiVaR for Patricia Racette as Madama Butterfly

Patricia Racette's broadcast of Madama Butterfly at the Met is on Thirteen WNET this Thursday June 24th at 9:00 pm. Additional airdates in New York are Saturday, June 27th at 2:30am on Thirteen, Sunday, June 28th at 12pm on Thirteen, and Sunday, June 28th at 3pm on WLIW21.

I have seen this production by the late Anthony Minghella a number time - in an open dress rehearsal, a plaza cast on opening night, twice again in the house and again last season.

Patricia has performed Butterfly all over the world since 1988, more than any contemporary soprano. Last year, before Patricia took on the role in this particular Met production, I had the opportunity to visit with her for a few minutes. I conveyed to her my excitement of seeing her in this production. At the time, she hoped that she would get the Live in HD broadcast, even though she was splitting the role with Cristina Gallardo-Domâs.

After Mr. Minghella passed away suddenly, the Met announced that it would be Gallardo-Domâs for the broadcast. Crushing news. While I thought Gallardo-Domâs acted the role fine, her voice had a shredded sound. Nobody sounded better to me than Patricia (I've seen two other sopranos as well), nor could anybody act the role better. When the broadcast date came near, however, Gallardo-Domâs unfortunately took ill and fortunately for Patricia was able to step in. Perhaps it was fate.

Even if you're not an opera fan, you shouldn't miss this PBS broadcast. It's breathtaking, and with Patricia as Butterfly, it's even more unforgettable.

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!!

Another Madama Butterfly at the Met

When Esther asked me to accompany her to her first opera, she first asked about La Traviata. I immediately said "no". I'm no fan of Traviata and I couldn't bring myself to see it again, even if it was a treat. But, I looked at the Met's schedule and saw that Madama Butterfly was on and that Patricia Racette was singing. My heart beat just a bit faster at the possibility of hearing Pat sing live again. I suggested it to Esther, thinking that not only the opera itself but this particular production would be a good first opera for her. She bit.

How disappointing to arrive and find a replacement notice slip in the Playbill! This was the first time this ever happened to me with this caliber of star for any production - opera or otherwise (well, not completely true - La Diva Renee was replaced by Opera Hunk Rene Pape last year at a gala concert - c'est la vie). Never mind, it's the Met. All of the singers are worthy and this is Butterfly - how can you go wrong? So was the case with Maria Gavrilova. Roberto Aronica as Pinkerton was also out and was replaced by the ubiquitous and reliable Marcello Giordani. I think I've now seen him and any other performer. He's no favorite of mine, but at least you know what you're getting. Gavrilova was wonderful as Butterfly. Okay, she didn't act her like Pat and she didn't float the notes for impossibly long minutes like Pat, but she was Butterfly. I had the seen the Met's previous production only once - my second opera - and now I've seen the current Minghella production five times, and honestly it just doesn't get old. The colors, costumes and imagery just make my heart beat faster and take my breath away. It was fun seeing an opera with a first timer. I had a feeling she'd like it. I don't know why anybody is ever surprised at how wonderful the Met is, but she was and I'm glad I was there to witness it.