DiVaR Alert: Renée Fleming in Rodelinda on PBS

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Rodelinda at the Met

Oh Rodelinda of the Metropolitan Opera!  I can't believe you've already come and gone.  I saw you at the dress, in the HD and finally at the December 7th performance.  You were the first opera in which I saw Renée Fleming.  I saw you again in 2006.   Alas, my love for you knows no bounds.  Your arias - especially "Dove sei, amato bene," "Ritorna," "Io t'abbraccio"  and "Mio caro, caro bene" - cause my heart and soul to leap.  Seriously, "Io t'abbraccio" may be the most heart-rending duet in all of music.   And oh!  Your love triumphs over evil ending when the entire cast joins in on "Dopo la notte oscura" just had me dancing in my seat! One more thing - could you be better acted?  I think not, especially by Stephanie Blithe and Renée Fleming. 

Will you visit us again?  I can only hope and dream...and wait for the PBS broadcast and hopefully the dvd.  

[Like the icing on top, the evening was just as satisfactory as Rodelinda itself.   I've been working many hours at my day job, but was determined not to miss this one:  my boss said, "You may invoke the Renée Fleming exception."   We sat in $20 orchestra seats, courtesy of Sally's time waiting for Varis Rush Tickets.  After the opera, we visited Renée backstage who declared that this was the best performance yet.   I also talked to that famous opera fan Christine Baranski and was delighted to see my friend Michael Stinchcomb, whom I hadn't seen in many moons.  Sigh.  Perfection.]

Dress Rehearsal: Rodelinda at the Met Opera

I was lucky enough to attend the dress rehearsal of Rodelinda at the Metropolitan Opera today.   In 2004, Rodelinda was the first opera in which I saw Renée Fleming perform - I specifically bought my subscription so I wouldn't miss out on seeing her and I absolutely loved it.   I saw it again during the 2006 run.  

It's a baroque opera by George Friderik Handel - light, bright and beautiful.   It's the story of attempts at staking power, mistaken identities, misunderstandings, best of all lost and found love.   The second act especially is achingly beautiful.   The finale is triumphant.   The production, directed by Stephen Wadsworth,  is set in a beautiful palace outside of Milan - and is one of my favorite sets in all of opera at the Met.  

As expected, it was wonderful today. Everybody was in terrific voice and it all went smoothly. I took my friend Byrne Harrison, who writes Stage Buzz.  It was his first time at the Met Opera and he loved it.  He couldn't get over how good the singers sounded - he said it was like they were just playing a recording and of course, he loved Renée.  After, we visited briefly with Renée. I can't wait to see her again in this opera at a regular performance!



Also, during one of the intermission breaks, I met Angela Meade!  What a thrill!

A season of Handel!

I realized last night, as I was re-stocking and organizing my Ticket Vault, that I will be seeing three separate George Frideric Handel operas this season!    I am extremely excited about this.  His music is so lush and romantic and is one of my favorite composers.  It uplifts my spirit and floats me in suspension of beauty and calm. 

The first opera will be Xerxes (Serse) at the San Francisco Opera in November.  I'm especially excited for this one for several reasons:  1) I'm visiting another American Opera house; 2) I will get to hear my favorite mezzo-soprano Susan Graham sing "Ombra mai fù" live again and in context; and, 3) best of all, my mother and sister will be with me.  Countertenor David Daniels co-stars. 

The second opera will be at the Metropolitan Opera - Renée Fleming in Rodelinda.   I think this will be my fourth time seeing this opera.  The first time was in 2004 at the Met and it was the first time I saw Renée in an opera.  I was over the moon with excitement in seeing her at the Met for the first time.  My friend Paul and subscription partner at the time, called is "Bordelinda" and stormed out, but for me it was a thrilling experience.  It was basically the whole reason I wanted to buy a subscription (not knowing then what I know now).  It is easily one of the Met's most beautiful productions, both in set and costumes.   Fortunately, Stephanie Blithe will be joining Renée once again - she all but steals the show!   I absoluately LOVE Renée's "Mio Caro Bene", which is nothing short of joyous.

The third will be The Enchanted Island in January, again at the Met.  It's an opportunity to hear David Daniels again, this time with the effervescent mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.   While it's not strictly Handel, since it includes music of other 18th century composers, it looks divine and my excitement builds knowing that it brings together the the lovers from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream who are shipwrecked on his other-worldly island of The Tempest (my most beloved Shakespeare).   The costumes look absolutely delicous.  

David Daniels & Joyce DiDonato
Photo: Nick Heavican/Met Opera