''They meet, they fall in love, they split, she returns, she dies'' – that's Rolando Villazón's ten-second plot summary of Puccini’s La Bohème. And the obvious draw of Deutsche Grammophon's new recording of the work is its Mimi and Rodolfo, the aforementioned 'they'. But any opera recording is about more than two singers, however talented Villazón and his Mimi Anna Netrebko may be. What elevates this one to great heights is not just the theatrical talents of opera's current 'golden couple', but a fine overall ensemble performance supported by detailed and accomplished choral and orchestral performances which match the fizzing dramatic intensity of the doomed lovers.
Whether or not the 'Netrebzon' factor galvanised the rest of the company into a compelling performance, the two are undeniably inspiring. Both voices are dramatic, thick and colourful; Netrebko’s perhaps even a touch treacly against some lighter, more innocent Mimis. And for some further pedantry, she occasionally over-eggs her climaxes and appears top-heavy, to the detriment of the overall musical phrase. But her voice is quite an instrument, built for soaring atop luscious Puccinian orchestrations which it does here with ease, whilst retaining formidable dramatic focus. Villazòn is nigh-on impossible to fault. His sure-footed tenor has a wonderfully vulnerable edge. He clothes the most painful dramatic moments in tears, and the effect is heart-stopping; dripping in Puccinian melodrama and every-bit musical.
One of the best duets in Bohème arguably goes to Mimi and not Rodolfo but the painter Marcello – here sung touchingly by Boaz Daniel – as he counsels the distraught heroine at the start of Act II. There are impressive moments too from former Cardiff Singer of the World Nicole Cabell who conjures a cheeky, colourful Musetta. Conductor Bertrand de Billy paces things briskly, creating a sense of cold and desolation when needed, though trotting hurriedly through some of the more interesting orchestral and vocal moments. But the orchestral detail and sensitivity is there, and with a Mimi and Rodolfo like these, you can forgive the conductor for leaving the tear-jerking to them.
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Sunday 22 June 2008
Giacomo Puccini, La Boheme
Saturday 14 June 2008
Why Jason Lewis Loves Acting
The Sex and the City movie is one of the biggest film of the summer at the moment, but co-star Jason Lewis isn't letting the movie's success go to his head.
"There�s probably more recognition on the streets right now. For the moment. Not vastly different," he says. "I think these things move in increments and I don�t really pay attention that much to that aspect of my life."
Jason reprised his role as Smith Jerrod in the film, but admits he's ready to move on to something new now.
"I�m looking at a few different things," he says. "I just want to make sure the next thing is fun and interesting. I live my life that way. I should be reading scripts [now]!"
Good writing is what entices the 36-year-old the most and, unlike most actors, Jason doesn't have an ideal role in mind.
"I think that�s kind of the fun thing about my job, there�s not a singular thing to it, it�s the difference of it all," he says. "You get to play a jerk, you get to play a nice guy, you get to explore parts of yourself that you don�t really get to live in day-to-day."
By Lindsey Hunter
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Sunday 8 June 2008
"Deadliest Catch" captain is fined
Anchorage—The owner and captain of a fishing vessel featured on the Discovery Channel's popular reality show "Deadliest Catch" has pleaded no contest to a single count of illegally possessing undersized crab, according to Alaska State troopers.
Richard Quashnick, 51, owner of the Maverick, was fined $1,500 after an Alaska wildlife trooper inspecting his catch over the winter discovered some of the Maverick's bairdi tanner crab were smaller than the 5.5 inches required by law, trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said.
Quashnick, reached by phone in Warrenton, Ore., said he was hauling some 45,000 pounds of crab at the time and troopers found only a few that were undersized. "It was an accident," he said. "It was just a mistake that my crew made, and we took care of it."
Seattle Times news services
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