Grand opera's grand old man has been exercising his vocal cords only as a lecturer since his retirement in 1950. But when former Metropolitan Opera Tenor Giovanni Martinelli, 81, arrived in Seattle, the head of the Seattle Opera persuaded him to sing some of the old songs again, playing in Puccini's Turandot. In his younger days, Martinelli portrayed the swain Calaf, but now, costumed like a mandarin Lear, he sang the aged emperor. He was still in good voice, and the audience gave him two standing ovations. Was he satisfied with his performance?...
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