THE ELIXIR OF LOVE March 2009
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Adorable
K. Smith - Canton

This was the most wonderful Opera experience of my life. It was so entertaining and humorous. I CAN NOT say enough about my experience tonight. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Costello is blessed and now that I know Adina is his real wife it makes it even more adorable.

THANK YOU MOT!

Singing directly to our hearts
Ray Paramo - Livonia

Dear Mr. DiChiera,

In difficult times and during dark days you have brought a bright light to Metro Detroit.

I have just attended your production of The Elixir of Love and felt I should write to compliment you. Often, when the topic of regional opera comes up, some of my friends like to point out that regional companies don't have the best voices in their productions. Last night's production proves them wrong. I am old enough to have seen Pavarotti and Sutherland do the role, but never have I seen the combination of voice, acting and youthful aptness for the parts that I saw last night. The leads were more than credible in the parts, the comic acting was right on, and the voices were as good as anything I have heard. I have recently heard Juan Diego Florez sing the nine high C's in La Fille, and I have even heard Pavarotti sing them long ago. But Mr. Costello was not just hitting high notes last night. He was acting with his voice and singing directly to our hearts with a voice that did whatever he wanted it to do. I have never been as emotionally moved by Una Furtiva Lagrima. There were tears in the eyes of the people sitting around me and probably even in mine. Bravo Mr. Costello, bravo Ms. Perez, and bravo you and the MOT!

Chill-bumps and tears
Lisa Frederick - Ypsilanti

This was one of the best operas I have seen. It was very funny and at times I had chill bumps all the way up my arms and down my spine and tears from the beauty of the intense notes the leads hit. If America misses this one, they are really missing out!

Escape into the beauty of opera
Terry Daly - Warren

Ellie and I have been patrons for the last ten years or so, and last night's opening of The Elixir of Love was the most stunning. Everything came together so beautifully: the voices and acting, the humor, the scenery and the total interpretation set in the 20s made for a completely enjoyable evening. Our thanks to everyone who had a hand in a wonderful escape into the beauty of opera.

Could not have been better
Judy and Steve Kesler - Ann Arbor

Saturday night's production of Elixir of Love could not have been better. The singing was absolutely world-class and the acting had the perfect level of silliness. Thanks to everyone for putting together such a wonderful show.

We had a blast
Adel - Walled Lake

My sister and I attended Friday night's performance and we had a blast. I am usually a regular, and I've enjoyed all the shows so far, however I found Friday night's performance exceptionally superb!

Costello, Perez and the whole opera crew were amazing as singers, and actors. Costello was very effective in connecting with the audience, I cried and laughed with him. This opera will leave a very, very long lasting impression in me.

Bravo MOT!!!

Vocal stamina
Robert Glassman - Ypsilanti

We agree with all that has been said above. It would appear, however, that the entire cast sang their roles in full voice two nights in a row, something that I can't recall seeing in a major house. That makes their achievement even grander. Congratulations to all concerned.

Impressive singers
Joe McGuire - Mt. Laurel NJ

As Mr. Glassman notes, singing two nights in a row is quite impressive even for these most impressive singers. But while the tenor and soprano rested on Sunday, the bass (Dulcamara) was out there for a third day in a row in the matinee!

Praise for Squitieri, Ramsay, Peace
Nicola Rooney - Ann Arbor

We came to the dress rehearsal and enjoyed the production very much. We were disappointed to find that the soprano and tenor roles at the Sunday matinee were to be sung by two other people. We had hoped to be able to hear the same two voices again from the dress rehearsal. We were delighted with the tenor's performance, and the soprano's acting and voice. Excellent Dulcamara as well, we had enjoyed his Sparafucile in Rigoletto a few years ago. One of the best opera performances we have been to at MOT.

We also want to let you know how much we enjoy the Opera Talks. Is there any way you can post a video of these to the web site? Several cities have an opera companies, but only Detroit has Dr. Peace.

My only criticism is one that tends to haunt many of the performances. We sit in the Balcony, and the orchestra tends to drown the singing on occasion. Aida was the worst for this. At moments of high drama, with all the soloists and chorus singing, one could hear them not at all - the orchestra was too loud. Does the balance of voice to orchestra get checked for different parts of the auditorium during rehearsal? It would seem not. Luckily, Donizetti prevented the orchestra from overwhelming at crucial moments by his scoring, for instance during the aria Una Furtiva Lagrima. Then we could be charmed by the tenor and nothing but the tenor.

The elixir I needed
Ludmila F. Kruse - St. Clair Shores

As usual another wonderful performance. I just got out of the hospital ICU where I spent five days and a few more days in another area. I told the doctors that I had my opera to go to on Sunday and that I must be allowed to go home so that I could go. I told them that this is better then all the pills and IV's that they give you. I was lucky to get discharged in time to be able to go. I felt somewhat better then I had the last three weeks even though I had to take oxygen with me. It was a beautiful production and the voices were wonderful. Thank you!

Photos by John Grigaitis