Number 57 November 13, 2010

Last night I saw the legendary Placido Domingo in Cyrano De Bergerac.  Written by Franco Alfano , most famous for finishing the last act of Turandot, it was first performed in Rome in 1936, and fell into obscurity.  Placido is largely responsible for reviving it, notably in a 2005 production at The Met.  Cyrano has marvelous melodies, and it is said Puccini admired Alfano's orchestrations.  Placido is not only one of the most important opera singers in its 400 year history, he is one of the most important artists in any genre.  True to life itself, he can move from comedy to tragedy in the course of a single musical line.  The general director of  both Los Angeles Opera and Washington National Opera, he has also conducted over 450 performances.  The cast of Cyrano was perfectly balanced, and Placido's protege  Ainhoa Arteta          was breathtaking as Roxane.