02/02/13 – Le Comte Ory – 1PM

Metropolitan Opera

Le Comte Ory by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Eugène Scribe and Charles-Gaspard Delestre-Poirson

Sung in French
Approximate running time:  2 hrs. 48 min., including 1 intermission

“As the lecherous Count Ory, tenor Juan Diego Florez repeated the virtuoso performance he gave two seasons ago. His unique combination of slightly goofy charm, deft comic timing, and prodigious vocal agility made him downright irresistible” (AP).

Pretty Yende made a memorable debut as Countess Adèle. “It’s easy to see why this gifted and ingratiating performer is causing such a stir. Her voice has a lovely silvery sparkle to it, her manner onstage is relaxed yet commanding — and as for looks, her first name scarcely does her justice.” (AP)

The New York Times says, “Her voice has a luminous sheen combined with steely resolve that powers both her clarion top notes and her outstandingly rich low register. She delivered some of the most difficult coloratura passages with scintillating precision… She took her curtain call amid a storm of bravos, whistles and whoops.”