Its December So It Must Be…

No, not Christmas, solstice, Hanukkah, New Years.. its the start of the Metropolitan Opera Broadcast season. Although the Met’s season is well underway the Saturday matinee (10:30 PST) broadcasts start in mid-December and run to the end of the season in the first week of May. The Met broadcasts have been bringing world class opera to opera fans for 75 years.  While the broadcast brings outstanding opera to a listening audience who may never get a chance to see the productions live, for many it is the intermissions that are truly the most valuable and enlightening, particularly for an opera novice like me.  Regardless of the topic or feature I always seem to learn something new or expand my understanding and appreciation of this fabulous art form. 

The first opera of the broadcast season was Rigoletto featuring Anna Netrebko as Gilda.  Ms Netrebko is a risng star and a welcome departure from the “big soprano” we have come to associate with opera divas.  I was anxious to hear her in this role since I’d seen the opera twice at Seattle Opera and was very familiar with it.  While I was not disappointed I have to say that the Seattle production was just as good if not better in many respects.  Ms Netrebko’s singing at the end of Act 1 of Gualtier Malde…Caro nome (Real Media) was very good demonstrating she can do coloratura with the best of them.  My favorite section Ancor Ce Mezz’ora near the end of Act 3 was fair, much better in Seattle but my perception is a bit skewed since I learned the opera listening to the spectacular Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge recording.

The Met broadcast is perfect backdrop for working around the house on a Saturday morning.  You will note in the photo I’m still in my bathrobe, headphones on,  busily baking prosfora.  One down, twenty one to go!

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