These last hours of the Festa di Sant'Ambrogio find me at long last showered, de-perfumed, de-lacquered, de-jeweled, and de-frocked, as I made a triumphant appearance and back again to Teatro alla Scala's prestigious La Prima…and more importantly, I returned home in one piece despite the encompassing roadblocks, rain, and crowds. Again I need to thank my benefactors for granting me the exclusive ticket, and chance to rub toned and tanned shoulders with the assorted European celebrities, skanks, ambassadors, and athletes that flocked to Piazza della Scala for tonight’s festivities.
Too tired to write you kind readers tonight with all the details, I just want to reiterate, before I rest my spinning head on my pillow, some of the more lovely minutiae. First of all, Frengo’s rumored dissatisfaction with Alagna’s stage presence clearly surfaced (via the famous Maurizio Millenotti’s costumes) in the guise of platform shoes. I am not kidding. Alagna had strapped to his feet a pair of wedgies that would put even the most stylish twelve-year-old teen in Milan to shame. They had a base of at least two-inches, and then rose to four-inch heel in the back. Oh the humanity. Also thanks to the ubiquitously-fezzed Millenotti, Act III delivered an Egyptian-styled, golden thong (with an enormous codpiece), which hung securely on an very naked and nubile Roberto Bolle.
Chailly was delicious, and appeared as his normally-scruffy self encased in a beautiful full white tie (including a white tie). He conducted magnificently, with a huge, dramatic, enormous sound. Urmana sang her gorgeous lungs to their full capacity, although the black-face (more like tan-face) that they had decided to use was a little too distracting. Although curious was that Alagna refused to besmirch his precious pores with the tan grease-paint that was slathered on Urmana, and instead opted for a much reddish-flushed, more natural tone. He’s such a diva!
The house tonight enthusiastically welcomed Zeffirelli's new Aida, and the energy was immense. Applause was almost gratuitous at some points, and there were more than enough 'bravi' and 'bravo' to sustain the entire new season alone.
Oh curious readers, please stay posted for a full report…this Opera Chic must invest in some serious beauty-sleep!