The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

Recent posts

Kelsey in Trovatore

Kelsey * Notes * 
Quinn Kelsey replaced Dmitri Hvorostovsky as the Count di Luna in San Francisco Opera's Il Trovatore yesterday afternoon. Kelsey sounded warm and rich, without being too dark in the least. His breath control was incredible, not one gasp was heard. On the other hand, he was not particularly menacing, though his portrayal of longing in "Il balen del suo sorriso" was clear and beautiful. There was much standing and singing, so as far as acting, Kelsey did not embody the role in the same way as Hvorostovsky.

Stephanie Blythe's last performance of this run went well vocally. Blythe does not seem possessed enough for the role, but her voice is commanding. Her top notes sounded secure from the back of the balcony and her duets with Marco Berti were robust.

* Tattling * 
Someone on the north bench of the back balcony kept eating out of a plastic bag during "D'amor sull'ali rosee." She rustled so loudly that both I and the person next to me kept trying to stare her down, but she was oblivious to our attempts. After Radvanovsky finished said aria, the woman in question clapped with great excitement, and went back to eating as soon as the music started again.

Posted in , , ,

8 responses to “Kelsey in Trovatore”

  1. upstairs tenor Avatar
    upstairs tenor

    Next time this happens, get an usher. There’s no food allowed inside the auditorium.

    Like

    Reply
  2. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    I would have, but she didn’t begin eating until the singing started, so at that point it was hard for me to stop listening to the aria. O well. Maybe people will finally behave tonight!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Patrick Avatar
    Patrick

    I haven’t been to as many performances this season as you (who has? — not even Gockley, I’ll bet!), but do you think the behavior is worse this year? Or have I just been unlucky in my seats?

    Like

    Reply
  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    The audience for Mozart has been really great, mostly because it just hasn’t been crowded. Except for Chevron day!
    Lots of people who normally don’t go to the opera go for someone like Hvorostovsky or if the Chronicle gives a crazy good review as for Trittico. So, yes I think the audience is worse than this time last year, when we had Idomeneo and Die Tote Stadt.

    Like

    Reply
  5. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Hello there…sorry I missed you on Sunday – but we were SWAMPED in the canteen! Everyone was thirsty and starving and I had a few new volunteers to look after.
    I agree – a lot of rude behaviour going on – even with Staff! Sunday, I had to take all the coffee volunteers up to the Mezzanine….and, unbelieveably – an Usher plopped herself next to us and began unwrapping food and munching (loudly)! Thankfully, she fell asleep about 20 minutes into Act I – and (sigh) did not snore! See you on Saturday at “Salome”!
    Robin

    Like

    Reply
  6. Shawn Avatar
    Shawn

    I think I will prepare a stack of notes and pass it to the person. It said “What you are doing is very RUDE”

    Like

    Reply
  7. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Gosh! I guess that’s why it is nicer to go to rehearsals sometimes, because at least the people talking are there to make the performances better. See you soon!

    Like

    Reply
  8. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    It might cause a fist fight! People that are rude rarely realize it, so they become quite indignant.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment