Tan that creedi

Another delightful night at Caramoor for the Poodles Tancredi. I am glad to report my full conversion to the order of Podles. Diz-amn. Yes, there is the vocal agility and the freakish range and the ever enjoyable slav-tasticness. But oh mercy that bottomless tone...truly one of those handful of voices you feel you can just walk around in for a spell. Every moment is so committed--there is no just pretty, or just drama, just that sweet spot in between that really makes opera a joy.

Some mixed opinions from our section about tenor Yegishe Manucharyan, but I thought him a delight for the consistency of his delicate touch. Georgia Jarman's Amenaide, if not particularly distinctive was thouroughly professional and engaging. Daniel Mobbs continues to hook it up...his NYCO dates are definitely on the calendar for next season. Laura Vlasak Nolen, in the role of "other low voiced lady" on stage had her work cut out for her, but performed wonderfully. Last and unfortunately kind of least was Emily Sinclair, whose smaller by half soprano fulfilled the requirements but didn't really compete with the rest.

While I didn't not like this as much as other Rossini, I still disliked it a fair amount, so the musical experience ain't much to write home about. Some interesting program notes, though, about how the tragic ending was a late and fairly controversial addition, as italian opera of the period didn't really "do" tragic endings. It's fairly obvious in the opera when Rossini crosses out the original last three pages and writes in the "bummer" music, but it still ends up with a nice sense of class, fitfully abetted by Caramoor's error prone lighting effects.

Our compatriots in the cheap seats were, um, considerably more lively than the crowd for Puritani (Yes, I am looking at you Mr. black fan waving first-Brava compulsive in row AA), but good natured on the whole. Minus the older duo between J and I who always picked the moment of exquisite silence in unaccompanied passages to make comments to each other. Coming next weekend: A little thing called Glimmerglass Jenufa. Aw. Yeah.