vickilicious

I’ve been totally slacking about writing about opera this season. (Oh, just about opera? Yes, I know.)

Actually, since writing about Die Zauberflote in October, I haven’t mentioned any of the performances we’ve attended here, and there have been many (Tosca, Il Trittico, dress rehearsal of Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Turandot…).

All these were eclipsed, though, by the truly amazing performance of Simon Boccanegra that we saw on Monday, starring Plácido Domingo as the title role. I had never seen him perform live before, and it was everything I dreamed opera could be. The emotional intensity and artistry in every phrase was astonishing, and the youthful energy and clarity of his voice made both my mother and I do a double-take. I mean, the guy’s a living legend, so you could almost take for granted that it was going to be incredible, but I honestly was humbled to see someone so staggeringly good at what he does, doing it his best.

I feel like it must be enormously overwhelming to be cast alongside Plácido Domingo, even for a seasoned performer. In the case of the soprano, Canadian Adrianne Pieczonka, it was her first time in the role of Maria/Amelia Grimaldi, and she rose to the occasion brilliantly. Marcello Giordani, the tenor playing Gabrielle Adorno was equally marvelous, and I kept thinking that if I were seeing another show, where someone else were playing the titular baritone, they would have been stand-out highlight performances. They both had such beautiful voices, and in scenes where all three were singing, I felt like my ears might burst with the sheer gorgeousness of the tones created. But Domingo. My God, there is only one Plácido Domingo, isn’t there?

After such an awe-inspiring performance, I didn’t think I could feel greater emotions. I mean, it was opera-gasm, to say the least. Oh, but then we got to meet three of the principles backstage, including Mr Domingo.

Let me just say that again, since I am still incredulous myself.

I met Plácido Domingo.

He put his arm around my mother and was humming in her ear. She got to hear the tune that was stuck in Plácido Domingo’s head. We both got to see up close just how warm, friendly, gentle, charming, and kind a human being he really is. And handsome. My goodness, I forgot just how handsome he is.

More photos (admittedly not the greatest quality, sigh) in my Opera album on Flickr.