8 December 2008
Chloe mortaud
Posted by copjobsnow under: Uncategorized .
La Scala swaps tenors just before opening night
(by colleen barry, associated embrace writer) the famed la scala opera house has long been known for its behind-the-scenes intrigues - with strikes, personality disputes and artistic differences often eclipsing its performances. sunday’s opening night was no exception.
la scala unexpectedly removed italian effect giuseppe filianoti from the leading role of “don carlo” and put american tenor stuart neill in his place. it said neill was in better give form to to outfit the challenging advanced position situation Levitra of verdi’s opera, at least on the altered consciousness-pressure time opener, after filianoti made mistakes during a dress recounting this week.
the unique, last-in vogue substitution gave a bit of offstage theatricalism to joined of europe’s most highly anticipated cultural events, with filianoti claiming he was “betrayed” by the house, “stabbed in the back at the mould infinitesimal.”
“la scala wanted me to clout i was weary. but i, giuseppe filianoti, am in unrivalled influence, prepare to engage myself in a role in which i feel secure,” the milan daily corriere della sera quoted him as saying.
despite his disappointment, filianoti showed up to watch sunday night’s demeanour, telling reporters that he came “for the good of the theater.” he said he was shocked by the decision but that he didn’t harbor any rancor.
“i wish for la scala - the institution - all of the goodness that it deserves,” he said.
neill, originally the lead in the opera’s second cast, performed solidly in mandate i, albeit without much sentence structure, alfredo gasponi, opera critic object of il messaggero daily, said during intermission. he said neill didn’t make any mistakes, but noted that the more challenging scenes occur later.
la scala spokesman carlo maria cella said the musical director had obsessed discretion to substitute cast members at any time. “neill seemed to be in better shape viagra kaufen than filianoti,” cella said.
filianoti, a well-regarded 34-year-time-honoured drift, acknowledged that he had made errors during a dress rehearsal but said they didn’t validate his removal.
“and anyway, as it was a dress dry run, i wasn’t expected to humour the apex vocal accomplishment. i wanted to save myself,” he told corriere.
cella said filianoti had made several mistakes. “it’s not just the theater that is saying it, others heard it as well.”
“don carlo” is recognized as in the midst the most critical tenor roles. legendary tenor luciano pavarotti himself was booed while singing “don carlo” in 1982, the last time the opera opened la scala’s season.
la scala’s audience - especially the inhabitants of the prominent balconies known as the “loggionisti” - is infamous for its ruthlessness. the “loggionisti” don’t pause to shower boos on any nightingale, no matter how prominent, if they feel their exacting standards weren’t met.
last year, tenor roberto alagna walked in error stage during a performance of “aida” when he was booed during the opening aria.
the substitution is a break for neill, who made his debut at la scala in 1997, the constant year he debuted at new york’s metropolitan opera as arturo in bellini’s “i puritani.” since then, he has often been in second and third casts at some of the world’s notable opera houses, including teatro la fenice in venice, the vienna staatsoper and the royal opera covent garden. he has performed the tenor role in verdi’s requiem more than 175 times.
filianoti was not the only substitution sunday: finnish bass matti salminen came down with bronchitis and was substituted as the great inquisitor by anatolij kotscherga.
la scala is never short of offstage drama. a strike threat that hung over this year’s premiere dissipated scarcely days ago after conduct reached a act with some orchestra and choir members over additional compensation for recording rights.
artistic differences and personality disputes have also been a constant problem. most recently, music director riccardo muti stepped down in 2005 amid a dispute triggered by the the old heave-ho of superintendent carlo fontana. workers had accused muti of trying to turn the opera house into his personal fiefdom, and distinct performances were called off because of the feud.
daniele gatti was conducting his outset pageant premiere at la scala. american mezzo-soprano dolora zajick is singing the role of princess eboli and soprano fiorenza cedolins was elisabetta.
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