The witch Azucena in Verdi's Il Trovatore is a dusky Aragonese crone with a nasty habit of throwing children into bonfires and a gift (as the opera is usually performed) for upstaging tenors. Last week, as the Metropolitan Opera opened its 75th season, the part was sung in dazzling style by the Met's newest star, Mezzo-Soprano Giulietta Simionato.
Florid Warmth. First seen in Act II when she stood stage center with a bevy of gypsies belting out the Anvil Chorus, Mezzo Simionato, who is a controlled actress, never once tried to upstage Tenor Carlo...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
