Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 A.M.
Opera
Alternate
'Girl' cast provides pleasant change in tenor
By Melinda
Bargreen
Seattle Times music critic
 |
| ROZARII
LYNCH |
| Seattle
Opera presents "The Girl of the Golden West"
with Steven Goldstein as Harry, Éva Bátori as Minnie,
Antonello Palombi as Ramerrez and Byron Ellis as Happy. |
|
Opera fans know that major cast changes can completely transform any
given production. Nonetheless, it's always a shock to walk into
McCaw Hall only about 15 hours after the conclusion of an
opening-night performance, and discover a whole new ballgame going
on when the new principals take the stage.
The most pleasant surprise in Sunday's alternate opera cast was
the discovery of a very fine new tenor in Antonello Palombi (as the
bandit Ramerrez), whose singing in rehearsals had set the rumor
mills abuzz. It's all true: Here is a tenor with that exciting,
emotion-stirring, head-turning Italianate sound, and he ignited the
show whenever he was onstage.
Sunday was Palombi's U.S. debut; here's betting he will be in
considerable demand in this country. |
