Partnered by venerable bass-baritone John Del Carlo in duets from Don Pasquale and L'Elisir d'Amore, not a shred of drama was lost; in the absence of sets and costumes, it is all up to the singers and, so good were they that the mind's eye supplied what was missing. Mr. Del Carlo commanded the stage in "A un dottor della mia sorte" from Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Dan Saunders accompanied and the orchestra went unmissed. Tenor Dimitri Pittas sang with equal dramatic intensity and some truly lovely diminuendi. Sadly, he tended to push his high notes instead of floating them. Not that the attentive audience had any reservations, judging by the applause for his "Una furtiva lagrima". His duet from L'Elisir d'Amore with Mr. Del Carlo was hilarious.
These outdoor events are generally plagued by much distraction from munchers, quaffers and texters. Let it be said that even opera neophytes who applauded in the middle of arias were more than usually attentive. That's what happens when such stellar beings take the stage. There are more performances to watch out for. Take note. Don't say we didn't tell you!
(c) meche kroop
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