The gay operatic must see event of the year!

Posted: 4/19/04 at 7:44am

I am FREAKING OUT!!! I can not WAIT!!!!

Sent from an Opera message Board!

Subject: Millo a golden voiced Gioconda

I was privileged to attend the OONY rehearsal of Gioconda today at Carnegie Hall. All singers and orchestra were present, but no chorus today.

Aprile Millo has already put her stamp on the role of Gioconda.

She sang the music as I haven't heard it sung since Milanov and Tebaldi. In a way, she combined the best of both of these great Divas- both of whom I heard as Gioconda.

Millo sang with the floating Italian line and style that, upon hearing, one immediately realizes what is missing in almost every other soprano today who sings Italian opera. The words, the portamenti, the drop dead gorgeous middle voice, the soaring top, including some of the biggest, healthiest high C's I have heard in a very long time.

When she launched into her great aria, "Suicidio" it was as if the clock had been turned back, and I was in the old Met, hearing one of the great Giocondas of all time. The tone was golden, and beautiful. The style was as right as vintage Tebaldi. The grand manner was Milanov, and the total package was Aprile Millo. It was a long rehearsal. From 10 AM to about 4:30 PM, with one hour union break for the orchestra. Now, IMO, 10 AM is much to early to ask a singer to sing anything, much less an opera like Gioconda, but there they were, giving their all, and I was thrilled.

In addition to Aprile, was the thrillingly beautiful tenor voice of the great Marcello Giordani. This role is new to him. He told me he had learned four new roles this year alone.

Well, Enzo fits him like a glove, and I am not going out on a limb in predicting that his "Cielo e mar" will completely stop the show. It was gorgeous,with surging, ringing Bb's at the climax of the aria.

This performance has been sold out for many months, so if you don't have a ticket, I don't think you can get one now, but you can always check with OONY about possible returns.

Those of us who will be there on Tuesday next are in for a rare treat. A really golden age performance in the year 2004.
Updated On: 4/19/04 at 07:44 AM

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 4/19/04 at 8:22am

Is this the gay operatic must see event of the year?

I thought that the Primetime Live David Gest interview would of taken the title..I mean that diva was singin'!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 4/19/04 at 8:26am

Has Aprile really come back?

Because after a thrilling start, she lost it for..... about a decade.

Posted: 4/19/04 at 8:32am

All reports state that "my" Aprile is back and better than ever...

her Aida at the Met remains to this day as the best Aida I have ever seen...not counting Heather Headley...(lol)