A Wagner Gala to be precise:
This must be opera heaven! Meier, Domingo and Pape in Munich Wagner Gala
Then after the break what most had been waiting for Placido Domingo as Siegmund in Walkure 1st act (with Meier and Pape). Despite having grown up with his recordings for 25 years I had never seen him live before, and wasn´t exactly sure what to expect (he is 66 years old). But he didn´t disappoint he was absolutely convincing as Siegmund, no reason to step down in the near future! His voice may have lost some power in the top register (no problems with the Wälse cry though), but honestly, it didn´t matter at all. However, the pictures you see of Domingo in press releases are not exactly recent! But still, he makes for the most beautiful sung an believable Siegmund I have heard.
Review: Meier, Pape shine at Wagner Gala
It was more - as perfect an operatic evening as even a finicky Munich audience could hope for. More than five minutes of thunderous applause ended a much-too-short performance, mixed with prolonged foot stomping, Bavarian style.
In the first act of "Die Walkuere," Placido Domingo was in full Wagnerian voice as Siegmund, his timbre brassy when called for, his phrasing extended, with little trace of the baritone drag that comes with age. He cleverly paced himself, so when the time came to pull out all stops he delivered with spine-tingling intensity.
Waltraud Meier was his match as Sieglinde, Siegmund's sister-turned-lover. Her voice was the ultimate instrument, perfect in pitch and phrasing, alternately full-bodied and subtle. And she outshone Domingo in expression, her facial and body language complementing the drama of the siblings' first encounter since childhood - an encounter that leads to love.
Next stop Madrid, but mainly for conducting (Madama Butterfly), plus one concert on 21 July.
Meanwhile, look who's on TV in Spain - the 'granddaughter-who-removes-her-clothes', as someone once dubbed her on this site, as a judge on a reality TVshow
and being interviewed - about her grandfather, of course. There's even videos if you can get them to work. I couldn't, but I didn't try very much...
And on this bulletin board is a discussion of her knockers. Hmm. Plus a link to a video showing her on the said reality TV show, 'Nadie es perfecto'. Can't say I approve of people putting their cleavage on display like that.
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