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Veteran mezzo-soprano, Judith Christin, who sang with dusky low tones, was a business-like Mama Lucia who was obviously capable of running a successful enterprise. Bruno Caproni, a countrified Alfio, sang his aria with mellifluous dark tonal colors. As his much younger wife, Lola, Sarah Castle sang with sensuous tones and looked the part of a village belle.

Much of the publicity preceding these performances concerned the appearance of superstar tenor, José Cura, as Canio. He did not disappoint. His easily produced rich tenor voice rolled out over the audience like waves in the ocean. Not only was he vocally powerful, he proved to be a committed actor as well. His 'Vesti la giubba' was worthy of comparison with any of the great renditions of that aria heard over the last thirty years.

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