Breakfast today, which I happened to catch by accident, had a caller, Stephen (with a "ph" or a "v"?) who had worked at the ROH in the 1970s.
He mentioned performances of Aida, and how he'd seen people like Leontyne Price. Aida was one of the, perhaps the first, operas I saw at the ROH. At the time the ROH was running Proms performances, where those of us who wanted to "prom" sat on the floor in the stalls area since the seats had been removed. I'm not sure of the year when I saw this - perhaps 1972.
I particularly remember when Radames came on how many people clapped and cheered, and not being very familiar with many singers at the time I did not notice who he was. This has from time to time made me wonder if in fact I had seen Pavarotti, or maybe Domingo at that performance. It's also possible that Aida was performed by Leontyne Price. I'm still wondering though who it was that I had seen.
It was also interesting to hear the caller's comment about how sometimes performances "catch fire" - even late on. I think this does happen, though sometime it may simply be the perception of just a few people, though the cheering at various points and at the end can give clues as to whether the rest of the audience felt the same.. The performance of Aida I attended was not dull at any time, so I guess that wasn't the same one that was mentioned with Bergonzi.
He mentioned performances of Aida, and how he'd seen people like Leontyne Price. Aida was one of the, perhaps the first, operas I saw at the ROH. At the time the ROH was running Proms performances, where those of us who wanted to "prom" sat on the floor in the stalls area since the seats had been removed. I'm not sure of the year when I saw this - perhaps 1972.
I particularly remember when Radames came on how many people clapped and cheered, and not being very familiar with many singers at the time I did not notice who he was. This has from time to time made me wonder if in fact I had seen Pavarotti, or maybe Domingo at that performance. It's also possible that Aida was performed by Leontyne Price. I'm still wondering though who it was that I had seen.
It was also interesting to hear the caller's comment about how sometimes performances "catch fire" - even late on. I think this does happen, though sometime it may simply be the perception of just a few people, though the cheering at various points and at the end can give clues as to whether the rest of the audience felt the same.. The performance of Aida I attended was not dull at any time, so I guess that wasn't the same one that was mentioned with Bergonzi.
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