As soon as I learned Angel Blue was singing Aida on New Year’s Eve, I got tickets and booked flights! What better way to celebrate the coming New Year?!
I tried but I cannot hold my peace:
This performance of Aida was a HUGE disappointment. I could never imagine this glorious House allowing a tenor to croak and scratch throughout a performance. HORRIBLE. It was unfair to him, to Angel Blue, and to us. Mr. Volpe took the stage to say the man was sick. (I knew that even before Celeste Aida!) Is that not endangering the other cast members??
Why didn’t he tell us Ramfis was sick too? Because, if he is that muffled and inaudible in good health…
The Met Opera Chorus is always a joy to hear and last night was no different. They were the highlight of the evening even from the very unimaginative staging.
Quinn Kelly’s Amonasro was very strong. The man is a great singer. (His Rigoletto was superb). Still, I would have appreciated more regal deportment from the King of Ethiopia.
I hope my schedule will allow me to return to New York to hear Angel Blue sing the role without her having to carry/endure/struggle with an incapacitated Tenor.
Finally, I am flummoxed by the decision to frame the opera with that ludicrous Indiana Jones gimmickry. It’s hard to fathom how many people had to think this was a good idea (or look the other way) for such to make it on stage at THE Metropolitan Opera.