While JSU got there first, I will duly report -- having been among those who repeated La Cieca's initial scoop -- that apparently, the "flying bed" in the Met's current Roméo set sail once again last night, with Natalie Dessay aboard. Nor was the bed the only thing floating -- the Associated Press reviewer was, too, to judge by this.
We already know that John von Rhein was immune to the charms of The Midsummer Marriage, while Wynne Delacoma did her level best to appreciate it. Heidi Waleson is yet to be heard from, and my official review will presumably hit the subscriber-only Musical America site Tuesday morning, after which I'll feel free to summarize the highlights. Meanwhile, you can see a few choice images from the premiere at Playbill Arts, such as this shot of former gymnast Paul Christiano as Strephon during the first of the Ritual Dances. Whatever you made of the piece (or more specifically, the libretto), ain't no denying this was a bitchin' show.
In more sober news, here's wishing a speedy recovery to Cheryl Studer, who suffered what was reported to be a minor heart attack prior to a Madrid recital on Friday. ("Minor heart attack" strikes me as an oxymoron right up there with "jumbo shrimp" and "working vacation.")
Playlist:
Benjamin Britten - Violin Concerto - Daniel Hope, BBC Symphony Orchestra/Paul Watkins (Warner Classics)
Corey Dargel - Less Famous Than You (as yet unreleased, but surely the contemporary-classical-smart-pop breakthrough hit of 2006, mark my words...)
Franz Schubert - The Complete Songs, Vols. 28, 33 & 34 - Graham Johnson a.o., including Ian Bostridge in Die Schöne Müllerin, Matthias Goerne in Winterreise and the likes of Gerald Finley, Juliane Banse and Thomas Hampson elsewhere (Hyperion)
Klapa Sinj - Mediterranean Sounds/Croatia's Mystic Voices (Nenad Beach Music)
Slow Six - Private Times in Public Places (If.Then.Else)
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