The Opera Tattler

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Angela Gheorghiu as Tosca at SF Opera


Tosca-sfopera-gheorghiu-2012* Notes * 
Angela Gheorghiu (pictured left in Act II, photograph by Cory Weaver) sang her fourth complete performance of Tosca at San Francisco Opera last night. Gheorghiu’s voice seems a bit thin for the role, though her sound does have a lovely, silvery quality. Gheorghiu looks stunning in the various costumes, but perhaps her acting relies too heavily on her personal beauty. Her jump at the end was particularly lackluster. The audience seemed to adore her regardless.

Massimo Giordano’s Cavaradossi was more solid than before, his voice is pretty and reedy. Somehow he did not inspire ovation for “E lucevan le stelle,” though he did not sing badly. The duet in Act III between Giordano and Gheorghiu went rather awry. Roberto Frontali continued to impress as Scarpia. Maestro Luisotti had the orchestra were more synchronized with the singers, and overwhelmed them less than before.

* Tattling * 
The house looked quite full, at least on the Orchestra, Box, and Grand Tier levels.

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One response to “Angela Gheorghiu as Tosca at SF Opera”

  1. Sidney Orr Avatar
    Sidney Orr

    I am glad to hear that AG did four complete performances.
    And therefore, that any health issues might be laid to rest.
    True, she is glamorous and gorgeous in her costumes, and
    her followers blissfully admire her and her unmistakable
    voice timbre, and always overlook that she is not in the same league as the other 2 reigning, kinder, Divas.
    AG belongs in the studio more, recording more new repertory, and in more solo recitals, where she gives her all – a hell of an entertainer. If you chance to correspond with her, or associate professionally though,
    beware of her well-deserved reputation and nickname – it wasn’t given by accident. She earned it, and revels in it..
    I was ready to write both music and/or libretto for
    her, until I too crossed her, in front of her staff no less, with a few gentle remarks about her pastime away from
    singing, which is a strictly verboten subject with her.

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