I'm out of town and am not online much, though I along with many other lovers of mezzo-soprano opera singers (AKA White Shirts) was quite anticipative about radio broadcast of the Bavarian State Opera's new production of Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi (The Capulets and the Montagues) that opened last Sunday. Much of the anticipation was caused by the prospect of Vesselina Kasarova resuming the splendidly dashing trouser role of Romeo for the first time in more than a decade. Alas, a misfortune of Shakespearean proportion struck when Frau Kasarova came down with the hideous illness of pneumonia just a couple of days before opening night and is definitely out of at least the first 4 scheduled performances.
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| I Capuleti e i Montecchi poster (Photo: Das Bayerische Staatsoper) |
As disappointed as fans are at not getting to see her in this role that she has proven supremely smashing in, I'm sure Frau K herself is much more distraught than everyone else for many very good reasons (aside from the obviously hideous degree of discomfort that pneumonia is known to deliver, she hates to disappoint her fans, has a lung-dependent career to worry about and is suffering substantial loss of income in missing these performances). We can only hope that she is recovering well and will be able to resume normal health again soon. Those who wish to send Frau Kasarova a get well message can leave them at her Yahoo Group or at Anik LaChev's Mezzo Well Wishes page.
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| Eri Nakamura (Giulietta) & Tara Erraught (Romeo) (Photo: Das Bayerische Staatsoper) |
On the other side of the coin, a hearty congratulations to 24 Irish mezzo Tara Erraught who stepped in on short notice to replace Vesselina Kasarova and had a marvelous performance along side Eri Nakamura's extremely impressive Giulietta! It was a tall order to take over so pivotal a role from so locally beloved a performer and to deliver it so well. Brave to both Ms. Erraught and Ms. Nakamura, and may they keep up the good work and enjoy the experience in subsequent performances as well!
2 comments:
There's nothing worse than two dogs with an iffy internet connection !!
Heya Smorgy,
Pneumonia is a somewhat strange illness to catch these days in the Western World. In the former USSR lands, they have developed a very nasty P. that is immune against all known antibiotics.
Let's hope for the best as to Ms Kasarova.
As to the Bayerische Staatsoper, it is "Die" not "Das". As the saying goes "deutsches Sprak, schweres Sprak".
Cheers
Georg
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