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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 OPERA REVIEW 
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High-Concept Sonnambula Misses at Met

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(Newser) – Most operas weave pretty far-fetched tales, but that isn't license for directors to retell them in ironic or mocking ways, Alex Ross writes in the New Yorker. Reviewing two recent productions at the Met, Ross hails a faithful staging of Verdi's Il Trovatore—but dismisses a high-concept version of Bellini's La Sonnambula that ignores the naturally "languid, trancelike aura of the early arias and duets."

Director Mary Zimmerman retells La Sonnambula as a rehearsal of La Sonnambula—a clever conceit, ably sung by Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez, but it doesn't suit the opera. Il Trovatore succeeds thanks to "the tastefully flamboyant" director David McVicar, who brings out "an earthy, lusty vibe" with a quartet of solid singers led by Sondra Radvanovsky. "An interpretation should begin with respect rather than contempt," Ross writes.

Sondra Radvanovsky performs as Leonora opposite Marcelo Alvarez as Manrico in the final dress rehearsal of Il Trovatore, Friday Feb. 13, 2009, in New York.
Sondra Radvanovsky performs as Leonora opposite Marcelo Alvarez as Manrico in the final dress rehearsal of Il Trovatore, Friday Feb. 13, 2009, in New York.   (AP Photo/Metropolitan Opera , Ken Howard)
Dolora Zajick, center, performs as Azucena in the final dress rehearsal of Il Trovatore, Friday Feb. 13, 2009, in New York.
Dolora Zajick, center, performs as Azucena in the final dress rehearsal of Il Trovatore, Friday Feb. 13, 2009, in New York.   (AP Photo/Metropolitan Opera , Ken Howard)
Tenor Juan Diego Florez in the role of Elvino, left, sings with soprano Natalie Dessay as Amina in Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Met.
Tenor Juan Diego Florez in the role of Elvino, left, sings with soprano Natalie Dessay as Amina in Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Met.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
In this photo provided by the Metropolitan Opera, Natalie Dessay performs as Amina in Bellini's
In this photo provided by the Metropolitan Opera, Natalie Dessay performs as Amina in Bellini's "La Sonnambula," at the Met.   (AP Photo/Metropolitan Opera, Ken Howard)
Soprano Natalie Dessay singing the role of Amina is is held aloft by ballet dancers during the final dress rehearsal of Vincenzo Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Met.
Soprano Natalie Dessay singing the role of Amina is is held aloft by ballet dancers during the final dress rehearsal of Vincenzo Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Met.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
Tenor Juan Diego Florez in the role of Elvino, left, sings with soprano Natalie Dessay as Amina in Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Met.
Tenor Juan Diego Florez in the role of Elvino, left, sings with soprano Natalie Dessay as Amina in Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Met.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
Juan Diego Florez performs as Elvino in Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Juan Diego Florez performs as Elvino in Bellini's La Sonnambula at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.   (AP Photo/Metropolitan Opera, Ken Howard)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Rosalind Plowright shows why she was a classic interpreter of Il Trovatore's Leonora.   (YouTube)
Maria Callas shines in her famous 1957 performance of La Sonnambula at La Scala.   (YouTube)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

Perhaps prospective directors should be given a brief questionnaire:
1. Do you like opera?
2. Do you like this opera?
- Alex Ross, New Yorker

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
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That's why the audience booed
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