<<<  <<  -- 4 --  Maria Nockin    AN IMAGINATIVE PRODUCTION

The star of the performance, however, was the Azucena, Marianne Cornetti. She has an enormous, easily produced voice which she colored with a variety of dramatic and plaintive sound. Her character was neither elderly nor deranged; she was a maternal figure who had been seared by unspeakable tragedy. Her 'Stride la vampa' created as many vivid, fiery images in the minds of the listeners as the fires emanating from the stage did. This is an artist that the American public should hear from a great deal more often.

Bass, Hao Jiang Tian was a robust Ferrando and honey-voiced mezzo, Priti Gandhi, a dutiful Inez. Tenor Joseph Hu was a commendable Ruiz and an authoritative messenger. The various choral groups under the direction of Timothy Todd Simmons sang with well balanced harmonies. The guiding force that made this an exceptionally moving performance came from veteran Verdi conductor, Edoardo Müller, who gave his performers every possible consideration while drawing impeccable playing from the orchestra. It was another evening of grand opera in its truest sense at San Diego.