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Post by marob on Jun 2, 2023 23:24:25 GMT
Dawnstar No, I’m not on there, but have just had a look. Thank you for that.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jun 27, 2023 19:40:14 GMT
Impressive that the ROH have got in Florez to sub for Kaufammn in Werther tomorrow evening. I succumbed to temptation & bought a ticket when I read the news.I'm not interested in seeing Kaufmann but I do like Florez & havent' seen him live for some years. I've also realised that this is the second year in a row that I've bought a last minute ticket due to a Kaufmann non-appearance. Last year it was when he (and others admittedly) dropped out of Cav & Pag.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Jun 27, 2023 20:54:01 GMT
I saw the news of this too.
I'm seeing WERTHER on Saturday evening. I'm half anticipating that Kaufmann will still be out but you never know! I'd love to hear him in this role, even though the voice is on diminishing returns.
If he is out, I wonder if Florez will still be the sub. I've never heard him live, and would like to, but not in this role. He isn't really a WERTHER. I will take him if necessary though - as said above, it is an impressive replacement!
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Post by tmesis on Jun 27, 2023 22:20:35 GMT
Well, assuming Kaufmann’s out for Saturday that’ll be three no-shows in a row for me as he failed to turn up for Cav & Pag and Fidelio before that. I’d prefer not to get Florez for this. In his earlier days I was a big fan when he specialised in the lighter Rossini and Donizetti roles but he has started to take on heavier roles and I really don’t think they suit him. I last saw him a year ago in La Boheme and I found his voice almost laughably thin for the part. I can’t see him being right for Werther but he has been singing it since 2016 and I could be wrong.
The best tenor I have ever heard in the role was the fabulous Alfredo Kraus in the 1970s.
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jun 27, 2023 23:57:57 GMT
I saw Kaufmann in the Werther Dress Rehearsal and thought he sounded really good, although he now looks a bit too old for the part.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Jun 30, 2023 18:27:56 GMT
Kaufmann now out tomorrow and for the final performance of WERTHER. I will be seeing Francesco Demuro, who I saw in the ROH production of RIGOLETTO as the Duke (a replacement for Javier Camarena).
Not too fussed - I have heard Kaufmann many times, and I love this opera so going more for that anyway.
I am however disappointed that Ludovic Tezier is out of TRAVATORE which I am seeing on Sunday. I don’t think I will hear him live, as every time I go to see him, he hasn’t sung. What a voice! At least I still (hopefully) have Jamie Barton to hear in the cast.
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Post by AddisonMizner on Jul 2, 2023 20:09:37 GMT
WERTHER (Saturday, 1st July)
I went to see the evening performance of this on Saturday. It is one of my favourite operas - the music is beautiful. I have seen many cinema screenings and recordings, but this was my first time seeing it live. I would have liked to have seen Jonas, but I am not too disappointed. As I have said above, the voice is just not what it was.
This really is a beautiful production. The sets are gorgeous, particularly the Act 3 ‘House’ set. The use of light also created some really lovely imagery, especially with Charlotte against the window.
Francesco Demuro did an admirable job as Werther. It must be daunting stepping in at such short notice, but he really began to open up from Act 3 onwards. The rest of the cast also did a fine job. Aigul Akhmetshina really was the star of the night though, with some glorious singing that truly soared over the orchestra. I am looking forward to hopefully hearing her again in CARMEN next season.
IL TROVATORE (Sunday, 2nd July)
Today, I went to see the new production of TROVATORE. A wacky production, but one totally in keeping with the story. Some fine singing in this too, even Gregory Kunde who it was announced was suffering from some sort of allergic reaction. Disappointed that Ludovic Tezier was not singing, but will hopefully hear him in something else very soon.
I don’t know how the singers would feel about all of those steps though. It must be an absolute pain to sing whilst climbing up and down those!
All-in-all, a wonderful weekend spent at the Royal Opera House!
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