IM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE KENTUCKY OPERAS PRODUCTION OF PUCCINIS LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST . . . . . . because of the singers (more than the opera, I must admit)! Ive done this opera a couple of times before and while the musicologist in me gets its importance and the sheer opera lover in me relishes EVERY opportunity to hear Puccini, this work still leaves me cold! WHY AM I GOING, THEN?????????? Well, David Roth ALWAYS creates some magic in his productions and his cast is quite intriguing!!!!!!!!!!! Foremost amongst them is the Michelle Johnson, Soprano in the role of Minnie. Ive heard Ms. Johnson in concert at a convention of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. and I vowed then that I would go to hear her whenever possible! The voice was round and warm, big and thrusting and possessed a seeming thirst for Puccini! In a perfect world, the opera would be Manon Lescaut (something that would also allow her to show more of her luminous vocal lyricism) as opposed to this quasi voice-wrecker of a part . . . . . . but she is smart and will protect her ohhhhhhh-soooooooo-spectacular, voluptuous sound! The rest of the cast (down to all those 1001 tiny roles) seems very well-cast, too, so I guess if Im going to go to Fanciulla again . . . this IS the one to attend!!!!!! I hope our very savvy Kentucky Opera Director will bring this wonderful lady back for another opera . . . sooooooooooooooooooon! This has been a great soprano season, indeed!!!!!!!!
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:11:43 +0000
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