This stuff writes itself, at this point.
Roberto Alagna's film career has begun: he'll appear as Joseph Tichatschek -- the original heldentenor who first appeared in the roles of Rienzi and Tannhauser, infamous for his lack of subtlety, cheesy acting, and the fragility of instrument -- in a Wagner biopic made in France.
History repeats itself:
Worst of all was Joseph Tichatschek's behavior as Tannhauser in the original Dresden production of the opera in the fall of 1845. During the Song Contest, he actually turned to Johanna Wagner (Elisabeth) and addressed the Song Of Venus directly to her --"to you, Goddess of Love!".
"Angela! Angela!".
Ahh Little Mr Nobody Tenor has assumed a new career as dramatic actor???? Is he trying to put art houses out of business next?
On the bright side; at least there are better ways to aid the vertically challenged in films rather than the use of platform shoes.....
Posted by: Crew Mantle | August 28, 2009 at 09:10 PM
I like Alagna and always have. He might not be the best tenor singing these days but he sure has god given talent!
So, Alagna got the part! Good for him! Algna's name was likely the first one that came to mind during casting so... perhaps "Mr Nobody Tenor" (as you like to refer to him), might actually be a Somebody Tenor.
Posted by: Nick | August 28, 2009 at 11:22 PM
We all love opera and expect the best. On the other hand, putting people down and calling them names it projects personal frustrations and insecurity. Crew Mantie when was the last time you sang at the Met? An opera singer has nothing to hold on except two folds of tissue that we call vocal cords. As a physician I've seen them many times and it's a miracle what they can produce. I met Pavarotti at a reception on stage after having sung Cavaradossi. He was really drained and almost spaced-out! For the first time I realized the pressure under which opera singers are even the might ones. Give them a little respect or leave them alone. BTW, Magda Olivero was Tosca, and at age 69 she was still in her prime!
Posted by: Constantine A. Papas | August 29, 2009 at 01:30 AM
I would hardly call him a "nobody". I'd swap my annual W2 form with him anytime!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Les Mitchell | August 29, 2009 at 01:56 AM
Alagna will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever be able to stay out of the spotlight. His narcissistic core will forbid him. He'll always find a way to be in front of an audience. And now that his voice is gone, I think the film industry is the perfect segue for his career.
Posted by: Dr. Faust | August 29, 2009 at 02:53 AM
I wouldn't say that his voice is "gone". It's not the sweet and lyrical instrument it was a decade ago, but it's still a valid voice. I think that the publicity machine which has chronically linked him with his wife has worked against both of them. They were marketed as opera's answer to Richard Burton and Liz Taylor, and it worked -------for a very short while. Then somehow everything went wrong and they both fell apart - for different reasons. Now each is going in their own direction, though where it will lead no one knows. Is there still any opera company willing to hire HER? One thing for certain: neither has come close to realizing the promise they so auspiciously tempted the public with a decade ago.
Posted by: Les Mitchell | August 29, 2009 at 05:25 AM
Re: Is there still any opera company willing to hire HER?
ouch! But good point! Her cancellation record has been compared to Caballe -- not good. Seems all Angela has got going on lately are Gala Concerts and those are only one or two performances per month, coming up in September and October. After those are done, no confirmed public appearences until the last day in March -- six months later. And those are more Violetta performances, replacing Anna Netrebko at the Met Netrebko passed on the opportunity but Angela can't get enough Violetta's in.. maybe trying to break Zean's record of an amazing 648 performances?. Folks just assume that Angela will be busy recording during those unscheduled performance months. But I think a recording schedule is only about three or four weeks long. And I just can't believe it will take a full six months to learn the role of Adriana Lecouvreur, which will be performed over a year from now. Perhaps Angela is taking a long break from performing? I honestly don't know what's up with her. But all that said, I really love Angela's artistry. I own almost all of her published recordings and videos and I love watching her perform because she still looks and sounds great, performs well and has sex appeal -- Angela is right up there with Moffo and Zeani in the good looks department, IMHO.
I remember fondly how good Angela and Roberto were together, ten years ago. I'm sad that it fell apart.
Posted by: Nick | August 29, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Roberto Alagna ... "will appear as Joseph Tichatschek ... infamous for his lack of subtlety, cheesy acting, and the fragility of instrument.."
Well, our Robertino should have no problem portaying this character. All he needs to do is find his center and dig deep in the vast reservoir of his personal experience. Perfect casting, can't wait to see the movie.
Posted by: Renee | August 29, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Considering the character Alagna is playing (anybody bother to notice) maybe it's an auspicious bit of casting. To quote OC regarding Tichatschek, "infamous for his lack of subtletey, cheesy acting and fragility of instrument". If Alagna really has pretty much lost his voice, and is the cheeseball narcissist some of you claim, it sounds like an inspired choice of actor for that role. Can't wait to see the movie, a french film on Wagner, hmmm... but can it outdo Richard Burton and Vanessa Redgrave?
Posted by: Warren | August 29, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Opera singers and films? It's happened plenty of times in the past - think only of the long acting career of Ruggero Raimondi, which is still going on, especially in France.
But it seems that Alagna always gets the worst criticism for every choice he makes. Personally, having actually met him, I really like him as a person and I don't believe that he's narcissistic at all... just someone who was caught up in the whirlwind of success and had his life dramatically changed, and even if he realises his voice is not what it used to be, he still craves for more, and dreads failure... he's just human, after all.
Posted by: Despina | August 29, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Very interesting. Alagna is a fine actor and I've no doubt that he'll come across well on the screen. He demonstrated that in the Tosca film and on several live broadcasts, from Orange and from the Met. But I suspect...and hope...that he's going to be dubbed. OC, can you tell us just who is going to be singing the Tannhauser and Rienzi? If he's thinking of taking that on, it really will be a case of shooting out the lights...
Posted by: Donna Anna | August 29, 2009 at 04:36 PM
The idea of Arielle Dombasle as Elizabeth Wagner is even more imaginative...
Posted by: Jo | September 07, 2009 at 05:38 PM
"Mr.Nobody Tenor"...
Oh, my God! As it's commonly!!!
Roberto Alagna is the very talent singer and actor with the rare voice, with the voice of the crystal ring!
Romeo, Don Carlo, Mario Cavaradossi, Don Jose and so on are the pride of the World Opera!
Posted by: zoya | November 20, 2010 at 06:46 PM
Listen and look at two low, but very handsome and outstanding, great men - Aznavur and Alagna!
"La mamma" resounded never so significant as with Roberto Alagna, never! As if the song-story (1963y.) waited for the beautiful boy-son born in the same year. The duet is genius entirely!
Posted by: zoya | November 21, 2010 at 08:41 AM
I go into U-tube and watch/listen to Roberto Alagna often. Why do some people find it necessary to be so offensive to folk they don't know personally and whose talent and success they lack. Something very wrong with these people and one can only feel sorry for them and not for the performer they are criticising.
Posted by: Kathleen Lopes | November 02, 2011 at 07:28 AM