The Metropolitan Opera @Prospect Park, June 20th

Friday night we went to Prospect Park in Brooklyn for a free program under the stars by the Metropolitan Opera featuring two of its stars, real-life couple Angela Gheorghiu and Robert Alagna. They were supported by a chorus and a full orchestra. I am certainly no opera buff, but have enjoyed a performance here and there, even at the big house. The outdoors program was wonderful in that (a) it was free!, (b) we had assembled a nice group of friends, (c) we brought yummy treats, (d) we could stretch out on blankets as opposed to sitting in stuffy small seats, and (e) they sang a lot of recognizable tunes (thanks, Bugs Bunny!).

Below is a solo by each that I captured on my crappy little camera of the projection screen next to the stage. The first is one of my favorite arias from Puccini's Madama Butterfly -- "Un bel dì vedremo" (One fine day we shall see) -- sung by the soprano Gheorghiu.

This next one is a solo by the tenor Alagna -- "Nessun dorma" (None shall sleep) from Turandot also by Puccini. I first became familiar with this song watching the recently deceased Pavarotti sing it on TV, but Alagna does a pretty bang up job here:


For two hours, this ultra-talented couple charmed the crowd with their playfulness and fantastic ability to emote. Gheorghiu, with her three costume changes, was absolutely stunning to behold. Here is a video I took of the two of them together -- "Te iubebc!" from Gherase Dendrino's operetta Lasati-ma sa cânt:


Luckily, the rain held off till well after the show too. A perfect evening!