Monday, September 08, 2008

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Simone?

That's what Joshua Kosman asks in his review of last Friday's San Francisco Opera opening. My review is posted at San Francisco Classical Voice. (I'll post the final URL tomorrow afternoon.) We're mostly in agreement, though I am meaner than he is about a few things. Civic Center has opening-night photos and opinions as well.
 

4 comments:

Henry Holland said...

Ah, I was hoping it was a knockout for your sake, I know how much you were looking forward to this. Are you going to any other performances?

He sobs too much, though, and I wish the costume department would find him an overgarment that looks less as if it came from Goth Night at the high school

Hahahahaha.

Lisa Hirsch said...

Yep, I will go again. Haven't decided whether to see Frittoli again or go for Martinez, who is taking the last 2 performances, or both.

I did not manage to sneak into the review the observation that I simply don't hear a Trovatore Leonara in Frittoli's voice.

Patrick J. Vaz said...

Martinez is not doing the last two performances -- she sang last night, and the other one is I think the 17th. (I can check the program if you need to know the date.) I was a little disappointed not to hear Fritolli since I've heard Martinez before (she was a wonderful Micaela here a few years ago), but Martinez was wonderful -- to be picky, her first aria was a bit choppy, but she overcame whatever nerves/breath control issues she was having and was just gorgeous. I'd recommend seeing her.

Lisa Hirsch said...

Oh, whoops! Argh.

"A little choppy" is the standard problem with that first aria.