Teatro dell'Opera di Roma is days away from its November 27 new season opener, but judging by the enthusiastic reception of tonight's final dress, everyone should just loosen their Marinella seven-fold silk ties and light a fat 12" Cuban.
Earlier tonight, the Rome opera house rolled out a preview of a new Adrian Noble production of Simon Boccanegra, generously applauded by 1,350 fans who were saluted by Riccardo Muti before picking up his baton. The Italian maestro wished them all "happy listening -- I hope you guys like it" and that if there were boos at the end, it'd only be "an almost-free boo", referencing the free tickets extended by the house.