April 21, 2008

Dessay in charge in 'La Fille du Régiment' at Met Opera

A new production of Gaetano Donizetti's comic "La Fille du Régiment" makes its gala debut at the Met Opera tonight, but Open House guests were treated to a sneak preview Friday during the final dress rehearsal.

This season's Open House featured no free lunch and no offer to walk across the Met stage like they did for the fall Open House, but the performers and creative team did sit for a Q&A session after the rehearsal.

Natalie Dessay on the advantages of the physical comedy of the role: "When I am so physical, I forget that I'm singing. So it helps. ... That's why I hate concerts."

Agathe Melinande, on getting to write the dialogue for the opera, specifically with Dessay in mind: "It was possible to do everything I wanted because I knew she could do it. So I just let it go and let go and let it go."

Tony-winner Marian Seldes, who will tonight make her Met Opera debut: "I feel I'm among some of the finest actors I've ever worked with on the stage."

The new Laurent Pelly production co-stars Juan Diego Flórez as Tonio.

The run of the production is sold out except for student rush and standing-room tickets. On April 26, "La Fille" will broadcast live in HD at select theaters across the United States.

Earlier: More free Met Opera tix; huge sale at Met Opera shop
Free tickets for Met Opera's Friday dress rehearsal

April 21, 2008 08:55 AM in Sightsology, Upper West Side

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