In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Metropolitan Opera put together maybe the most beautiful and touching collective performance of all time, gathering 40 singers, the full chorus, and the full orchestra for a 4-hour online spectacle broadcast from each singer's and instrumentalist's home all over the world, including simultaneous full orchestral and chorus music in multiple split screen (like in the unforgettable rendition of Va Piensero). The broadcast had so many extraordinary moments that it is impossible to do justice to them all, unless we mentioned and screen-shot every single piece. In the interest of brevity, I'll comment on some that I personally found particularly compelling, which is not to say that any of the others was any less good.
Va Pensiero:
Renee Fleming was fabulous; here with Peter Gelb:
Intermezzo, Cavalleria Rusticana:
In memory of the Met Opera Orchestra violist who died of COVID-19, a very touching moment with Joyce DiDonato and the viola section performing Ombra Mai Fu:
Last edited by Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva); April 26th, 2020 at 03:06 PM.
"J'ai dit qu'il ne suffisait pas d'entendre la musique, mais qu'il fallait encore la voir" (Stravinsky)
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Continued:
Jonas was great as usual:
Erin Morley was spectacular, singing and playing the piano very well:
Michael Volle was sublime in the Ode to the Evening Star:
Roberto and Alexandra, whom I'm proud to call my friends, were funny and charming in L'Elisir d'amore:
Elina, stunning as usual:
"J'ai dit qu'il ne suffisait pas d'entendre la musique, mais qu'il fallait encore la voir" (Stravinsky)
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Yannick and a violinist from the orchestra performed beautifully Méditation from Thaïs
Oh wow, Nadine Sierra is so pretty!
Diana and husband, and at the end they were joined by their two children, so cute!
The always super-nice Larry:
Wagner with a facemask, and a model of the Met just like the one I also own...
"J'ai dit qu'il ne suffisait pas d'entendre la musique, mais qu'il fallait encore la voir" (Stravinsky)
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I was very impressed with Yusif's rendition of Che Gelida Manina. It was absolutely perfect. This singer seems to have enormously evolved in terms of technique, and now is singing really well:
Isabel was great, singing a capella:
Lisette did a tour-de-force with one of the most technically difficult arias of the repertory:
Another charming performance featured Stephen Costello accompanied by his beautiful wife:
Anna closed the program in style. Peter called her The Reigning Diva, and indeed, it's uncanny, the older she gets, the better she sings. Her piece featured her gorgeous dark tone and was performed to moving perfection. Wow!
The show is still available for free Encore viewing at the Met website, but just until 6 PM today, Sunday 4-26-2020.
For me, it was particularly moving to see from their own homes so many artists I spent countless interviewing hours with. These talented artists made the pain and sorrow of working as a medical doctor in the middle of a deadly pandemic, a bit easier to endure, by reminding me that there is beauty in this world.
Thank you, Metropolitan Opera.
I encourage everybody seeing this wonderful gala to donate to the Met or to your local opera house, in these difficult times when the houses are closed but still need to support their singers, instrumentalists, conductors, and other artistic and non-artistic staff. Let's protect the art form by supporting these great cultural organizations.
Stay safe!
"J'ai dit qu'il ne suffisait pas d'entendre la musique, mais qu'il fallait encore la voir" (Stravinsky)
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