<<<  <<  -- 4 --  Maria Nockin    DRAMATICALLY EXCITING

Pons and Lukás both have dramatic voices with good techniques and they sang well. Pons was particularly effective in the Te Deum, where he was always audible over full orchestra and chorus. The vocal star of the evening, however, was Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones. He has a large, Italianate sound that is perfect for the role of Cavaradossi. Of course, the sensitive conducting of General Director Plácido Domingo supported all this fine singing. Having sung this opera so many times on various stages, the maestro knows how to shape this piece so that both singers and instrumentalists sound their best.

Operalia winner Robert Pomakov was a furtive but sonorous Angelotti, and Dale Travis was a thoroughly amusing Sacristan. Joel Sorenson and Levi Hernandez were creditable flunkies while Domingo-Thornton Young Artists Karen Vuong and Daniel Armstrong proved their worth as the Shepherd and the Jailer. The young singers in this performance showed a great deal of vocal and acting promise, so we can look forward to watching them grow into excellent finished artists. This was a most interesting performance that showed that there is much to be seen and heard after opening night.