An encore (E Lucevan Le Stelle) for Marcelo Alvarez; mad props to Franco Zeffirelli's new staging, pleasure at the discovery of Martina Serafin, a surprinsingly good Tosca; polite applause for maestro Renato Bruson's Scarpia -- the great veteran's voice is not always brilliant, obviously, at this point in his career, but you can always appreciate the style and the intensity of the interpretation.
More later today re: the premiere of Tosca at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma last night: the fashion shows of Moda Uomo are going on at full blast in Milan right now, AND tonight OC has to show up at la Scala for the premiere of Devia's and Antonacci's Maria Stuarda.
(All photos courtesy of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma)
Opera di Roma is about to debut the new Franco "Frengo" Zeffirelli production of Tosca, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Puccini's birth.
Next Monday, Jan. 14, (a super-anniversary: on Jan. 14, 1900, Tosca had its prima assoluta in Rome's Teatro Costanzi) all eyez on Frengo, on conductor Gianluigi Gelmetti, Martina Serafin (Tosca), Marcelo Alvarez (Cavaradossi), and maestro Renato Bruson (Scarpia). (In the photo above, courtesy of Opera di Roma, Serafin and Bruson at the press conference)
Opera di Roma GM Francesco Ernani pointed out in a press conference earlier today that "Since that January 14, 1900, Tosca has been staged all obver the world: it is only fair that she comes back to Rome to start the celebrations for Puccini's 150th birthday".
Maestro Glemetti said that Tosca "is for me a great adventure, Tosca is an icon, with a life of its own, beloved by Italians, Germans, Brits, Americans, Japanese, without distinction of nationality. Tosca truly belongs to all humanity -- she belongs to our hearts".
Tru dat.