BREAKING NEWS
This just in from a reader in the Staatsoper's audience for Rolando Villazon's comeback after his 6 months absence from the stage: Vienna's haus packed to the rafters to see Rolando -- a slender, somewhat more haggard than we remembered Rolando -- demonstrated his beautiful musical gifts in Massenet's Werther under Marco Armiliato's baton (brother of supertenor Fabio): no cracked acuti, beautiful colors, no constricted breathing. The way Rolando used to sing.
Maybe he didn't smile as much -- butterflies in the stomach can torment big stars, too. But the six-month-long dark night of Rolando, as of today, is very likely over.
In the end, the Viennese audience gave the ovation he deserves. For his singing, and for his presence there.
Once again, bentornato Rolando.
****
Recap of audience/press/blogger reactions here.
Bentornato Rolando!!! And those who predicted Rolando´s fall, may they swallow their tongues...
Posted by: Parsifal | January 06, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Oh so wonderful to hear that our Rolando is back in form! Thanks for the speedy report, Opera Chic! I look forward to more info as the story develops and know that it will all be right here. If Rolando is reading this, I want to wish him a hearty "welcome back!" We've missed him so much!
Posted by: Jennifer D. | January 06, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Y BRAVISSIMO!!! BIENVENIDO, quierido! Que te he extranado.
Cica, thank you so much and vielen danken to the writer who sent us this great news. Long may Rolando grace our stages and our ears with his glorious voice. Even when he's not performing, he's a vibrant and lively presence. May this be a year of good health and fulfillment for him and for all of us.
Posted by: Donna Anna | January 06, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Too bad you couldn't be there for a full report, but this'll have to do! Thanks for keeping us filled in at Rolando's return.
For you, OC, in the spirit of LL Cool J:
Dont call it a comeback
I been here for years
Rockin' my peers and puttin' suckas in fear
Makin' the tears rain down like a monsoon
Listen to the bass go boom!
Posted by: number five alive | January 06, 2008 at 02:39 AM
Good Mr Villazon has finally vanquished what demons which ailed him so. And a further pleasance to hear Mr Villazon has taken to the stage once again. A wise choice to utilise the provincial Vienna house for this return, where he is greatly admired.
You can't keep a good man down, or off his saddle for too long......
Posted by: CrewMantle | January 06, 2008 at 03:23 AM
5 Alive--
Nice one! Bravo!
Posted by: Donna Anna | January 06, 2008 at 03:46 AM
VIVA , VIVA VILLAZON !!!!!
WE ALL, ARE THRILLED TO HEAR THE NEWS . THANKS OC FOR KEEPING US INFORMED AND ALSO ... THANKS TO YOUR CONTACT IN VIENNA
WE KNEW ROLANDO WOULD NEVER DISAPPOINT US.WE NEED HIM ON STAGE FOR EVER!
Posted by: MERCHYS | January 06, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Overjoyed to hear this! Last season during the Met broadcast he appeared as quiz moderator and overwhelmed us all with his over-the-top hilarity--what a breath of fresh air! His sunny, bumptious personality shone through. May it continue to shine through for another 50 years of wonderful singing.
Posted by: Bill Philin-Ploplis | January 06, 2008 at 02:22 PM
How nice to get those good news! Thx for the covering of this truly joyful event.
How pathetic that somebody used this opportunity to slate the Staatsoper.
Posted by: Pier Luigi Itsybitsy | January 07, 2008 at 01:54 AM
Well, Pierluigi, the Wiener Staatsoper IS provincial, even it can afford stars. Almost every performance I have seen there had a couple of big names and terrible comprimarios and the orchestra played like dogs. They can do BIG first nights when the orchestra has been rehearsed by a promiment maestro, but go to the repertoire performances and the standard can be appalling low. Only people who live in Vienna think this is the best the world can offer.
Posted by: Regina delle Fate | January 08, 2008 at 03:10 PM
To Regina:The Vienna Staatsoper is without doubt one of the best-if no the best-opera house in the world.Especially the orchestra-the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is excellent, even in repertoire performances. So I dont know what you mean by provincial or play like dogs. I travel a lot (Italy, France, GB etc) so I can well compare opera houses in Europe and Vienna is by far the best one. Even repertoire performances a lot better than first nights in other theatres (f.ex at La Scala).
Posted by: La Gioconda | January 31, 2008 at 06:38 PM