By Beppe Nelli
TORRE DEL LAGO: More than a night at the opera, "Madame
Butterfly" was a popular party with all the proper Italian
melodrama, with thunderous applause at the last note of the love
duet. And Andrea Bocelli has demonstrated a never before revealed
ability as an actor and also as an opera singer. Far from the
recording studios, he has demonstrated a growth. He has studied, he
has shown a more powerful projection than during the opera concert
of 1997, with good diaphragm support. Essential, indispensable
technical requirements, when you sing in the open and under the
humidity of Lago di Massaciuccoli.
Bocelli-Pinkerton, beautiful as ever in the splendid uniform
designed by Regina Schrecker, has fascinated all with (his) voice
and (his) stage presence, nearby him an exceptional Maria Pia
Jonata, by now close to her 50th performance in the role
of Cio Cio San. The two seemed to be having a good time without
hiding their subtle, artistic harmony. (...)
Bocelli came on stage in a rickshaw, sure and bold, and while not
being able to see the orchestra director, Steven Mercurio, he hit
every note precisely on cue. A wonder for a blind (person), at the
end of the love duet he lifted Cio Cio San and racing on the lawn’s
slope he placed her on the Ishinti for the final kiss. One can just
imagine the work involved in such a performance: evidently Bocelli
has three
minds: one for the score, one for gestures and one to count the
footsteps in the scenes.
Once more Bocelli has gifted his public with his polished voice
and its bewitching tone. Stupefying (is his) vocal growth at this,
the beginning of his artistic maturity. And also the orchestra was
heard extremely well in the "pianissimi" and oriental
colorings that Puccini requires.
(...)
Many among the audience were crying: even in the V.I.P. section
where they stood out, such as: the referee Pierluigi Collina,
Armando Cossutta and Tony Renis. (...)
translation N. Pagan
