Il Trovatore cast at the Met got mixed reviews from critics for its season debut on Sept. 30. Giuseppe Verdi's opera was presented by David McVicar and starred debutant Guanqun Yu as "Leonora" and Gwyn Hughes Jones as "Manrico,"
When describing the first timer Yu, Mike Silverman for The Associated Press said.
"At this early point in her career, she lacks those melting high pianissimos Verdi often calls for, and her lower register is weak, but overall her singing left a favorable impression. Dramatically she was less successful, relying on stock gestures and expressions that never quite created a sense of character."
In contrast the critic was full of praise for veteran performer Dolora Zajick who played "Azucena on the day.
"On Saturday, she showed that at age 60 she has lost none of the visceral power that makes her portrayal so exciting, especially when she hurls out thunderbolts from her lower chest register or cuts through the orchestra with sizzling high notes, said Silverman."
Other members of the cast got equally mixed views in the McVicar production. "Count di Lina," played by Franco Vassallo, Silverman said.
"As the Count, baritone Franco Vasallo started off sounding dry and underpowered, but he rose to the challenge of his lovely serenade, "Il balen," singing with elegance and burnished tone."
On the roles of star man "Manrico" played by Gwyn Hughes Jones and "Fernando," played by Morris Robinson he said. "Tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones pushed his modest voice to its limits, but his tone rarely rang out heroically, and the high note that ended his call to arms, "Di quella pira!" was shaky. In the supporting role of Fernando, bass Morris Robinson sang with imposing power and beautiful, rounded tone."
Producer David McVicar will make changes to the cast throughout the Met viewing of "Il Trovatore which will conclude Jan. 24.
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