Here’s fellow scribe, Leon Freilich, on last night’s opera in Prospect Park.
Gheorghiu on my mind Alagna husband Roberto were indeed magnificent. Opera’s first superstar couple.
If the ecstatic crowd–I heard an estimate of 25,000–failed to reach Peter Gelb’s prediction of 150,000, two reasons are possible. Gelb scared off music lovers who feared chaos-in-the-park; or we’re still Backwater Brooklyn. Yes, pre-yuppies, the mere mention of Brooklyn anywhere in the country evoked titters. I was here and I remember.
In any case, three cheers for the Met’s greatest-ever director, Gelb, and for the reviled yuppies who gave us arrugula, balsamic vinegar and an entree into the 21st century
This was the best opera in the park that I had ever been to since I began listening to them twenty years ago. The two singers once married but now separate, were fantastic, professional and gave their all to making this recital so, so very excellent.
One thing that was a bit funny but pathetic. The public relations person who spoke at the opera recital marveled aloud about the 25,000 free metro cards that were given out to the listeners of the recital. When she asked that all those who got them to shout, there was deafening silence. Apparently another bogus public relations ploy.
25,000 listeners was all that the space in Prospect Park could hold. Anymore would have caused a riot.