Lookin’ Good in Ravenswood, Part 2
In a post from last fall, I commented on the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Lucia di Lammermoor, staring Natalie Dessay. The pictures published in the New York Times showed it to be a wonderful looking affair, with costumes updated to the 19th Century. Well, the opera is at last being broadcast live this afternoon, and I am able to hear it, and the authentic glass armonica being used–at Ms. Dessay’s request–in the last act is eerie. What a weird instrument.
On a sad note, during my Pre-Opera Program today I paid tribute to tenor Giuseppe di Stefano who died earlier this week at age 86. Back in 2004 he had been attacked by robbers at his home in Kenya, leaving him paralyzed. I played selections from his recordings of Rigoletto and Puritani, and a complete Pagliacci, which was wonderful in the old-style you never hear any more. As I wrote when Pavarotti died, Di Stefano’s passing would be another in a sad but steady procession of opera royalty.
Filed under: Music, Work on March 8th, 2008 | No Comments »