Lisette Oropesa's sweetly sensuous singing of the opening phrases of Wagner's DAS RHEINGOLD at the Met's dress rehearsal yesterday have remained so clearly in my aural memory. With her colleagues mezzo-sopranos Kate Lindsey and Tamara Mumford matching Lisette in vocal beauty and expressiveness, the opening scene of the epic RING Cycle took on a special glow.
I was telling Lisette some RING history yesterday over a post-rehearsal supper and I've always been particularly moved by the story of Wagner sitting at the piano at the Palazzo Vendramin (above) in Venice and playing the Rhinemaiden's trio for Cosima before retiring for the night. "They are dear to me, these creatures of the deep with their longings," he said to his wife. The next afternoon Wagner suffered a fatal heart-attack and died in Cosima's arms. Her description of his playing of the Rhinemaiden motifs was the last thing Cosima ever wrote in her diary - the long daily record of her years with Wagner.
Lisette snapped some photos of herself in her Rhinemaiden costume in the dressing room. Oh, you will say, you only write about her so much because you are friends. But it should be remembered that I fell in love with her voice before I ever thought of meeting her. The same applies to Kate and Tamara as well. Their voices are very special to me.
Yesterday was the first installment of my first ring cycle and it was such a treat to have it begin with Lisette's beautiful voice. I hate matinees, but really couldn't make it to either of the evening cycles so decided to arm myself with lots of strong coffee and just deal with matinee audiences. They weren't too bad up in the FC boxes this time. I really enjoyed the whole performance and am looking forward to the rest. On to Die Walkurie!
Posted by: nysusan | March 29, 2009 at 11:49 AM
I hope you enjoy your first RING, Susan! Normally Wagner audiences are the quietest...unless, of course you get stuck next to someone with a tin of Altoids!
Lisette's voice is really pretty and she sounds so good in that music.
Posted by: Philip | March 29, 2009 at 04:36 PM