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May 2006
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Genaux was superb
Ruth - Grand Blanc
There was much to enjoy in the second Saturday evening performance of Cinderella, which I attended last night. However, I found the titles redundant and distracting. There were many grammatical errors, and due to the shallowness of the libretto (not your fault), the repetition was tedious. On the other hand, the lead soprano, Ms. Genaux, was superb, and her final aria alone justified the long drive to the opera house. I hope you will cast her in a future opera more worthy of her considerable talent. Thank you for your courageous opera choices; I hope you will continue to produce rarely seen productions along with repeats of great operas like the outstanding Aida I attended several weeks ago.
Exceptional
Linda Delores Stuckey - Detroit
Exceptional! I have attended many opera performances and, without question, this opera was just exceptional! From beginning to end the communication of the performers was excellent! Brian Stucki, "the prince," Peiyi Wang, "Cinderella," and the entire staff of artists were marvelous. If this opera were available for an additional week I would attend again!
Praise for Dr. Peace
Mrs. Betty Mueller - Troy
This season has been wonderful; what a great choice of operas. Each one has been a delightful experience; staging, costuming, music, and the performers, all tops. And I must add that the previews by Dr. Peace are always superb. He certainly makes each opera a very special event. We would not want to miss his interesting and informative introductions. Thank you Dr. Peace.
Second cast
Pirooz - Ann Arbor
I saw the second cast and even though I mostly enjoyed myself, I had some reservations about some of the singers. It is becoming clear that the difference in quality between the first and the second cast at MOT is glaring even though the audience is being charged the same price. The 5/19 performance of Cenerentola would be good by the standards of any good university opera department but for a professional company it is not enough.
But the most disturbing aspect of attending operas there this past year is the audience and its lack of awareness as to what is acceptable behavior at an opera house. Perhaps MOT would consider educating the audience on the point. Where is the house manager when people are coming and going at will? Is this professional for a major opera company? Shame on you MOT. Please remedy this situation soon. It is truly provincial.
Subtitles incomplete
Donna Trupiano - Wixom
I took a 13-year-old to her first opera and she truly enjoyed it. She was amazed at how beautiful the Opera House is and was happy to be there. I, too, loved it. Since I can understand Italian, I was not too disturbed by the sub-titles; however, they seemed to be rather incomplete in translation. BRAVO!
Astonished
Anna Rumsey - Ypsilanti
This was my first live opera experience and I have to say I was astonished. The cast was amazing, especially Ms. Segar. What a brilliant performance. I can't wait to come and see another opera!
High fives were a low point
Jennifer - GPW
We just got back from the taking our neighbor to her first opera. She absolutely loved it! Even though the language was foreign to us the emotion in the singers' voices allowed us to understand. (The subtitle translations were a bit confusing in places.)
The costuming and the lighting were beautiful and the carriage scenes were quite spectacular!! Props to lighting designer Kendall Smith.
I felt that the modern-day gestures, such as high fives, although befitting the humor of the situation, were a bit out of place for the time period.
The woman who played Angelina, Vivica Genaux, has the greatest stamina I have ever seen! It seemed that she didn't take a breath for about a minute and a half, going up an down the scales.
It was a wonderful experience and now I have some more friends to take with me the next time.
Wonderful
Jeanette Locher - Detroit
This was my first time attending a full opera. I found it delightful and entertaining. I didn't like the subtitles though; thought it too distracting to read those and pay attention to the actors and songs.
I am attending this opera and also Salome, as I am a student in an opera class at CMU. Bravissimo to all the actors for a wonderful show.
Arrive early for Opera Talks
Lisa Kimmel - Royal Oak
I loved the Opera Talk prior to La Cenerentola. The commentator was very entertaining (and obviously knew his stuff). I was glad that the group I was with wanted to attend it, otherwise I probably wouldn't have made the effort to be there early. In future visits to the opera, I will definitely make this a part of my plans.
Orchestra too loud
Jules - Grand Rapids
I felt the orchestra played too loudly at the Sunday performance covering the lead tenor and the lead soprano and even the lead baritone singer. I also felt the orchestra rushed spots and the singers were behind.
Read other comments from the 2005-06 season
Norma | La Boheme | Aida | Cinderella | Salome
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Photos by John Grigaitis
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