Opera Chic

Angela Out, Her Replacement Rejoices: the Tragedy, the Damnation, the Drama!

Shafted again! Angela Gheorghiu plays hooky tonight. Come 7:00 pm local Vienna time, Gheorghiu will be nowhere near Staatsoper Wien for her appearance as Marguerite in Charles Gounod's Faust with IRL hubby Roberto Alagna as scheduled.

'Tho the secondary cast is Piotr Beczala for Alagna's Faust and Soile Isokoski for Gheorghiu's Marguerite, soprano Alexandra Reinprecht has been called in tonight to sub as the jeweled lady.

The terrible twosome ~Clan Alagna~ have lately been streaking through cancellations left and right. First a double walkout on a live radio program in Vienna, then Roberto Alagna canceled his scheduled appearance at the Pavarotti Tribute Concert in Petra, Jordan (as so kindly pointed out by la Diva herself, Cynthia Lawrence). Now it's Angela's turn for a solo bounce. We're wondering if she ate undercooked Mansaf in Jordan? Or is she just playing hard to get?

No Worries...Angie's Back!

We found her chillaxing at the Sacher Spa, and really, who can blame her? Here she is channeling Celine Dion, rehearsing her upcoming role as Marguerite in Gounod's Faust for the Wiener Staatsoper (premiering October 11, 2008) with chubby hubby Roberto Alagna.

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Alagna & Gheorghiu Reunited...And it Feels So Good.

Opera's unflappable duo is getting ready to unleash their vocal terror on the unsuspecting Viennese, as seen in rehearsal for the October 11, 2008 premiere of Gounod's Faust at the Wiener Staatsoper. Roberto Alagna will sing the title role, partnered with Marguerite sung by Angela Gheorghiu. Korean singer Kwangchul Youn rounds out the duo singing Méphistopélès. Bertrand de Billy conducts, and we'll sit back and wait for the reviews. Where's Angela? Your guess is as good as ours.

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(Kwangchul Youn...doing his thang)