The Opera Tattler

* Notes *
A run of Cimarosa's Il Matrimonio Segreto is currently being held at Teatro Regio di Torino. Francesco Pasqualetti conducted last night's performance, and the overture went nicely, but there were some raw, blurry moments in the pit.

Likewise with the singing, which was often quiet compared with the sound of the orchestra. Emanuele D'Aguanno (Paulino) seemed particularly strained. Barbara Bargnesi (Carolina) was cute, but her acting was on the dull side. Only Chiara Amarù, as aged aunt Fidalma, shone. Her sense of comic timing sparkled, and her voice is strong.

The singers were not helped by the bland production, which featured a generic set that could have been used for any number of operas or plays. All the action happens in a single symmetrical room, with three large doors up stage, and doors left and right.

* Tattling * 
A woman in Box 12 talked the entire performance. Apparently someone was explaining the libretto for a person who was unable discern what the words were from either listening to the singing or reading the super-titles.