tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17709835.post2199377136266061977..comments2024-01-17T00:20:07.761-08:00Comments on Not For Fun Only: SF Opera: NormaAxel Feldheimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12517904558156089265noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17709835.post-65395192882442133942014-09-16T14:28:59.937-07:002014-09-16T14:28:59.937-07:00I pretty much had the same reaction to Jamie Barto...I pretty much had the same reaction to Jamie Barton's singing. I'm almost embarrassed that I'd never even heard of her before this. Thanks for letting me know about Russell Thomas. I will definitely plan on checking him out!Axel Feldheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12517904558156089265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17709835.post-51281342998191067242014-09-14T18:16:09.489-07:002014-09-14T18:16:09.489-07:00Opening Night of the Season audiences are always a...Opening Night of the Season audiences are always awful and give no energy back to the stage, since their interests usually lie elsewhere than the music. I went standing room on Wednesday evening, the 2nd performance, and was blown away by the beauty of Jamie Barton's voice, impressed by Ms. Sondra as Norma, and sort of horrified by Marco Berti as Pollione. I didn't stay for the finale because he was too off-pitch.<br /><br />Evidently, Gockley is psychic because there was a new tenor, Russell Thomas, at the Sunday afternoon performance and for the remainder of the run after Berti left for "personal reasons." Thomas was fantastic, and since most of his music is duets and that fab trio with the ladies, it was a huge improvement in the show. And the singers/chorus/orchestra are gelling in a wonderful way, so you should definitely consider a return visit before it's over.Civic Centerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12362422142667230626noreply@blogger.com