The end draws near

From the New York Philharmonic’s site ouëb:

Andrea Bocelli with the New York Philharmonic
The best-selling classical recording artist of all time makes his Philharmonic debut, performing an intimate evening of romantic arias.

From Bocelli’s biography on the Philharmonic’s site:

Being Bocelli now includes an official Web site, more than a dozen recordings, and even downloadable ringtones for cellphones.

(Remember Mlle Netrebko’s Geschrei in Act I of Don Pasquale? Perhaps we can make that into a downloadable ringtone and use it to wake the dead.)

P.S. vilaine fille told you nearly a year ago that signor Bocelli was spotted making a grand entrance at the Met.

I wish it had not happened in my time.

So do I, and so do all who live to see such days…

Comments

[Sam Cooke]

Bocelli's appearance on "American Idol" was very informative. I learned, among other things, that Bocelli is "one of the greatest singers in world history" (according to David Foster). Not to be outdone, Celine Dion favored us with a videotaped appearance in which she advised us that "if God could sing, he would sound like Andrea Bocelli." Which is the most disturbing news about the afterlife that I've encountered in quite some time.

Myself, I preferred the singing of the little Idols - who were at least honest about what they were doing, or trying to do. And none of them did anything that appalled me as much as Bocelli's recording of "Trovatore."

[Lisa Hirsch]

All sorts of people - politicians, opera singers, pop singers - have turned up in the Fledermaus party scene. Who cares if Bocelli turns up there? He's a perfectly decent pop singer. The issue is Bocelli being hired for an operatic role (shiver).

[sandye]

dear v.f.,

believe it or not, signor bocelli was the special guest star (along with the horrible david foster) on American Idol last week! feh!

[Paul]

Bocelli at the Met? Quelle horreur, or however you spell it! If that would happen, what's next - Patty Lupone as Violetta? Actually that might be OK, since she can at least carry a tune.

[Sieglinde]

I don't want to put any ideas out there (too late), but the only way I could see it happen would be for Bocelli to crash one of Prince Orlovsky's New Year's Eve parties-- a few Broadway luminaries and celebrities have done so in the past without much incident: Gelb will sell his tickets (attached with the lovely mandatory contribution), the "people" will be given their lollipop, and the "critics" will not be too disturbed.

[A.C. Douglas]

"I hear talk of Bocelli in 'Merry Widow' or some such. May it never come to pass."

Oh. That sort of semi-pop rep never crossed my mind, actually.

I don't know the performance history of such fare at the Met, but if in the past the Met has broken opera-singer ranks to cast a role for that sort of production, maybe it's not such a bad idea to engage Bocelli for a role, just as it would not be a bad idea at all to engage him for, say, a gala "Fledermaus" as one of the singing guests. That latter especially has a nice and honest ring to it, I think, in terms equally of the production, the PR, and the box office.

No?

ACD

[Joy Fleisig]

Gelb said back in February, at the time that all those plans were being announced, that Andrea Bocelli didn't belong at the Met and would not be singing there. Not likely that he's do MW anyway, as I don't believe he's ever ... emitted sounds ... in English. At least that's not as barf-inducing as the prospect of Rodolfo, Cavaradossi, Werther...

[vilaine fille]

I hear talk of Bocelli in "Merry Widow" or some such. May it never come to pass.

v.f.

[A.C. Douglas]

Bocelli at the Met? In a regular (as opposed to special concert) production?

Never happen. Gelb wouldn't dare. Bad PR move. He'd never live it down. It would confirm everyone's worst fears of his stewardship. So, rest easy.

Trust me.

Regards,

ACD