Diary of a Culture Hedonist

What a change from La Calisto last night: Puccini's lush score and lyrical writing for La Fanciulla del West was made for the grand stage at the Royal Opera. José Cura once again assumed the role of Dick Johnson with much gusto and masculinity. Eva-Maria Westbroek's Minnie was not bad, though at times she lacked power in the middle register and was overwhelmed by the fat sound from the pit. Pappano as usual did a fine job pacing the action and milking those tear jerking moments (especially in Act III).

It was the first ever performance of Cavalli's La Calisto at the Royal Opera. I was glad to have seen it. The set design was psychedelic, costumes  were fantastical and stage acting amusing. The music was superbly played by members of the Monteverdi Continuo Ensemble and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. But I don't understand Seventeenth Century operas. I have opened my mind. I listened. I watched. I was not moved.