Arts Re: Tenor Tantrum at La Scala
posted by on December 11 at 10:03 AM
Assuming that Jen and I aren’t the only persons in our readership who care about opera, you can get even more of the scoop on Alagna’s walkout at the fabulous new(ish) opera blog Opera Chic, whose tagline is “I’m a young American woman in Milan…and you’re not. I go to La Scala a lot…and you don’t.”
She’s got a sort of running log of all the events, from the prima, to the walkout, to the ensuing statements from Alagna (“I sang beautifully, I was bravissimo. Too bad for those who didn’t understand.”), to Alagna’s little man syndrome (and his ridiculous platform shoes), to the Italian press’ reaction, to the forthcoming lawsuits from La Scala and Alagna’s record label, Decca.
You see, opera isn’t antiquated or outdated. It’s gossipy, nasty, hilarious, and pathetic—just like regular pop culture. There are sex scandals, terrifying autograph confrontations, stalking, bitchy queens, etc. I’m just waiting for the first operatic panty-less crotch flash.
I mean, srsly. Check out the nakedness, the codpiece, the lithe and nubile body of dancer Roberto Bolle. Oh, and yes—that is Donatella Versace (looking ever more like Jocelyn Wildenstein) and Rupert Everett (looking ever more his age). Ciel!
What an amazing production that seems to be... Zefferelli gilds the lily, puts a spotlight on it, then adds dancers. Freaking gorgeous.
And that shot of the platform Roman sandals is now my screensaver, replacing a very glamorous shot from Apocalypto.
What the guy was singing was Celeste Aida when he got booed. Maybe the Italians hate the character he played is responsible for Aidas fatal ending. Its a tragedy and the the people were just reacting. Maybe the youth were getting Rocky horror Picture Show with the opera these days. Anyway for those who want to know the song he sang.... (from Verdi's "Aida")
[The ethiopians have been defeated in battle. Aida, their princess, has been enslaved by the victorious egyptians, though her identity is not known to them. The egyptian general Radames falls in love with the beautiful Aida and dreams of setting her upon a throne.]
Celeste Aida
Celeste aida, forma divina,
Mistico serto di luce e fior,
Del mio pensiero tu sei regina,
Tu di mia vita sei lo splendor.
Il tuo bel cielo vorrei ridarti,
Le dolci brezze del patrio suol;
Un regal serto sul crin posarti,
Ergerti un trono vicino al sol, ah!
[Translation:]
Heavenly Aida
Heavenly Aida, goddess of beauty,
Garland of flowers and of bright light.
You are the ruler of all my thoughts,
You are the splendor of my whole life.
I'll bring you back, yes, to your lovely skies,
To the soft breezes of your native land.
I'll place a royal wreath upon your crown,
And build you a throne close to the sun!
Italians at this opera " Aida run away, run away and don't look back"
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