This wonderful Metropolitan Opera Gala concert came to us live from the Parktheater im Kurhaus Göggingen, in Augsburg, Germany. I used to live near there.
The Program
“Ah! Mes amis ... Pour mon âme” from Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment
Javier Camarena [I came in at the end where he hits the last high C. Magnificent.]
“Chacun le sait” from Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment
Pretty Yende
“Che gelida manina” from Puccini’s La Bohème
Matthew Polenzani
“Sì, mi chiamano Mimì” from Puccini’s La Bohème
Angel Blue
“O soave fanciulla” from Puccini’s La Bohème
Angel Blue, Matthew Polenzani
“Quoi! Vous m’aimez?” from Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment
Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena
“Bevo al tuo fresco sorriso” from Puccini’s La Rondine
Angel Blue, Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena, Matthew Polenzani
“Sì, ritrovarla io giuro” from Rossini’s La Cenerentola
Javier Camarena
“Una voce poco fa” from Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Pretty Yende
“La donna è mobile” from Verdi’s Rigoletto
Matthew Polenzani
“D’amor sull’ali rosee” from Verdi’s Il Trovatore
Angel Blue
“Son geloso del zefiro errante” from Bellini’s La Sonnambula
Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena
“Lippen schweigen” from Lehár’s Die Lustige Witwe
Angel Blue, Matthew Polenzani [Perhaps I would like this if Angel was the widow.]
“Mattinata” by Ruggero Leonvacallo
Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena
“Torna a Surriento” by Ernesto De Curtis
Angel Blue, Matthew Polenzani
“’O sole mio” by Eduardo di Capua
Angel Blue, Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena, Matthew Polenzani
“Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici” from Verdi’s La Traviata
Angel Blue, Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena, Matthew Polenzani
“Auld Lang Syne” (Traditional)
Angel Blue, Pretty Yende, Javier Camarena, Matthew Polenzani
Very nice. All my favorite parts. Lots of duets. My emotions are getting the better of me. I need more of all these people. I sang along to Auld Lang Syne. Love to all.
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There has been controversy over this concert. People argue that Met musicians should have been hired to accompany the singers instead of the Europeans, a pianist and a string ensemble. The concert took place in Germany. There would probably be two reasons for this: 1. Live performances under controlled conditions are allowed in Germany, and 2. The singers are all in Europe where at least occasionally they can get gigs. Javi is in Monaco and Madrid. Pretty has been in Barcelona. Angel will be in Berlin. Matthew has been in Madrid.
Other factors concern the accompanying musicians. It might not be possible for American musicians to just fly in to Germany and play there. I am not happy about Gelb and his treatment of the marvelous Met orchestra, but I wouldn't have wanted to miss this beautiful concert.
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