Met Opera Saturday

From Gisela Moffit:

 

Hi, on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 12:55 P.M.  we will have the pleasure of seeing a NEW opera, The Tempest, by Thomas Ades.  Written and performed in 2004 at Covent Garden, there have been only 4 productions since.  Tom and I were fortunate to see one in Santa Fe so we are eagerly looking forward to the MET's premiere production.  Thomas Ades himself will be conducting with Simon Keenlyside as Prospero and Isabel Leonard as Miranda.  

 Director Robert Lepage recreated the interior of 18th century La Scala which imagines Prospero as a kind of impresario who manipulates people like a director of an opera or play.  The role of the spirit Ariel is the most demanding.  Anthony Thomasini says in his review that the role is "written for a coloratura soprano singing in a stratospheric  range, here the physically and vocally agile Audrey Luna. This punishing part should probably never have been written. With her radiant voice flitting about in super-high fidgety bursts, Ms. Luna can hardly make a single word clear.  It doesn't matter.  Mr. Ades's Ariel is a dazzling creation, and Ms. Luna conquers the role." 

One more exciting tidbit comes from Tim Caldwell (retired CMU music professor) who went to a NY nightclub where the cast of the Tempest was relaxing.  Peter Gelb introduced cast members, among them Laure Meloy, a CMU grad!  Tim says she is running with a heady company these days.  Way to go, Laure!   

 

See you Saturday.  Gisela