Posted on 03/07/2004 6:27:50 AM PST by nuconvert
Pavarotti Opens Farewell Shows at the Met
Mar 6,2004
MIKE SILVERMAN / Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Let the goodbyes begin! Luciano Pavarotti is back at the Metropolitan Opera - though not for long.
Nearly two years after the Italian tenor drew a public rebuke from the company's boss for calling in sick, he walked on stage to a burst of sustained applause Saturday night to sing the first of three farewell performances of Puccini's "Tosca."
Acknowledging the bravos with a bemused smile, he launched into one of his signature roles, the young painter and revolutionary sympathizer, Mario Cavaradossi
The distinctive Pavarotti sound was still there in the lower register, but his high notes sounded wobbly. He also moved slowly and with apparent difficulty, but made it through the first act respectably.
Now 68, Pavarotti had all but vanished from the opera stage since that notorious night in May 2002, when he disappointed a sell-out crowd that paid gala prices to hear him.
Except for one "Tosca" in Berlin last June, his live appearances have been confined to concerts. He arrived in New York fresh from a performance at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and after the Met, it's on to Japan, Greece and Spain.
Pavarotti is also spending more time these days with his new family - wife Nicoletta Mantovani and their year-old daughter, Alice. He has three grown daughters by his first wife, whom he recently divorced.
This final set of performances was arranged by Joseph Volpe, the Met's general manager, who had a change of heart after declaring that Pavarotti's days with the company were over. Also in the cast were soprano Carol Vaness in the title role and bass Samuel Ramey as the villain, Scarpia. James Levine, the Met's artistic director, was conducting. The remaining two performances were set for March 10 and 13.
Many critics have regretted Pavarotti's insistence on performing so far past his vocal prime. Writing in Friday's New York Times, Anthony Tommasini said: "Expectations are so low by now that just his showing up and getting through the performance will be enough."
Before Saturday night, Pavarotti had sung 373 performances of 20 roles at the Met, since debuting there in 1968 in Puccini's "La Boheme." His beautifully focused tone, exciting high notes and ebullient personality brought him critical acclaim and made him one of the most popular tenors since Enrico Caruso.
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