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Event
La Fille du Régiment
Recorded Live at the Vienna State Opera
Starring Natalie Dessay, Juan Diego Flórez, Carlos Álvarez, & Montserrat Caballé
For sheer entertainment, La Fille du Régiment can't be beat! Especially when it's served in such a saucy, light-footed way by director Laurent Pelly in this coproduction of the Vienna State Opera, Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera. French soprano Natalie Dessay, a dazzling singer and gifted actress, effortlessly sweeps her cast mates along in this turbulent buffo delight of an opera. Her co-star is Juan Diego Flórez, one of the leading young tenors of our time.
Gaetano Donizetti may have achieved immortality with his comic operas Don Pasquale and L'Elisir d'amore, and won a lasting place in the hearts of coloratura sopranos everywhere with Maria Stuarda and Lucia di Lammermoor, but for sheer entertainment, his La Fille du Régiment can't be beat. Especially when it's served in such a saucy, light-footed way by director Laurent Pelly in this coproduction of the Vienna State Opera, London's Covent Garden and New York's Metropolitan Opera. The plot revolves around Marie, the "daughter of the regiment," who was found on the battlefield as a baby and raised by the soldiers as their daughter. She falls in love with the young Tyrolean Tonio, who joins the regiment in order to be near her. When the Marquise de Birkenfeld hears about Marie, she claims that she is her long-lost niece, whom she will turn into a lady Her plans backfire, of course, as Marie will never abandon her Tonio and most certainly never become a lady! French soprano Natalie Dessay, not only a dazzling singer but also a gifted actress, effortlessly sweeps her castmates along in this turbulent buffo delight of an opera. "She laughed, mugged, cried and danced through her part And she sang. Oh, how she sang," gushed George Jahn (Associated Press). Her partner is Juan Diego Flórez, one of the leading young tenors of our time. Clad in lederhosen, he cheerfully seduces Marie and the audience with his voice and his looks. And he effectively brings down the house with his jauntily tossed-off aria "Pour mon âme" and its nine high Cs. Baritone Carlos Álvarez gives an unforgettably comical account of Sergeant Sulpice, who watches over Marie and would much rather have her marry a Duke than a Tyrolean peasant. But perhaps the most uproarious moment in the performance is the scene-stealing appearance of the grandiose Montserrat Caballé as the Duchess of Krakenthorp, a non-singing cameo role that she speaks multilingually, partly improvised, and with irresistible charm. And, to the delight of all, she sings the Swiss yodeling song "S'Schätzeli," one of her favorite recital encores. Yves Abel leads the Vienna State Opera Orchestra in this rousing interpretation of a work that holds its own with Donizetti's beloved warhorses!
"A treat! Natalie Dessay turns in a once-in-a-lifetime comic performance" The Independent
"Sheer fun!" Alexander Campbell, Classical Source
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LocationCinema Arts Centre (View)
423 Park Avenue
Huntington, NY 11743
United States
Categories
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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