From a review in 2003 about an opera in France... There was one sensational and unexpected change of cast. It was announced that Sondra Radvanovsky was unwell and would act Helene while the role was sung from the side by ... and the announcer gabbled the name so she could scuttle off before the groans started. But after a confident, fearless account of her first-act aria it didnt take long to realize that the soprano was none other than our very own Nelly Miricioiu: it is surely permissable to be possessive about an artist who lives, moves and has her being in the UK. She must know the role, and presumably only needed a score because she didnt know it in French. Her most beautifully shaped account of `Ami, le coeur dHelene in the fourth act stopped the show and, visibly moved, she was given a huge, well-deserved ovation at the curtain calls. This extraordinary diva can sing anything, and sing it well.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 19:39:01 +0000