Domingo's Reprise

When I stopped by the Met today to pick up some more tickets for the coming season, I was surprised to read an announcement that Placido Domingo will be returning this season to the role of his Met debut, Maurizio in ADRIANA LECOUVREUR.

Marcelo Alvarez had been scheduled to sing Maurizio in this revival but he switched to TROVATORE  when Salvatore Licitra withdrew from that opera. Domingo was to have conducted ADRIANA but will instead be onstage and Marco Armiliato will wield the baton.

Domingo was a popular young star at New York City Opera and scheduled for a Met debut when, on the night of September 28,1968 he stepped in literally at the last moment to replace Franco Corelli in the Cilea opera. I'll never forget that night: a large contingent of fans had waited at the stage door to watch Tebaldi and Corelli arrive. Franco seemed preoccupied but then...he usually was.

Knowing that they were both in the House we could only imagine that there was some technical glitch delaying the rise of the curtain. But then came the announcement: Corelli was indisposed and Domingo would make his Met debut. What a wave of excitement swept thru the already keyed-up standing room area! One of the most memorable moments of the evening came during the first act love duet when Tebaldi graciously turned her back to the audience so Domingo could sing over her shoulder and watch Maestro Cleva. During the applause, Renata was continually mouthing "Bravo, bravo!" to Placi. The atmosphere in the House was simply electric.

The mob at the stage door after the show was phenomenal. Above is my program page which they both signed as well as my spontaneous handwritten note about the cast change. Below is the famous Louis Melancon photo taken after the Act II curtain calls.

Comments

[Dmitry]

What key will he sing it in? Will Ewa Podles have to sing Adriana?!

[Philip]

I wasn't planning to see ADRIANA this season but I'm now mildly curious.