Critic’s Choice
Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment is not the most emotionally charged of bel canto operas, but given the right cast, musical direction, and theatrical vision it can be an irresistibly charming piece. The Metropolitan Opera is certainly giving it their best in a spring revival of the 2008 Laurent Pelly production that opens tonight.
Anyone who has heard Javier Camarena in the past few years can’t help but want to hear more of his thrilling, golden voice, as he has fast become the world’s most sought-after leggiero tenor. In this run he takes on the role of the lovestruck young soldier Tonio, whose famous aria “Ah! Mes amis,” with its nine high Cs, is one of the great showpieces for tenor. Pretty Yende stars as his love, Marie, with Stephanie Blythe as the Marquise of Berkenfield. Making her Met debut, actress Kathleen Turner will bring her comic talents to the cameo speaking role of the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Enrique Mazzola conducts.
Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Metropolitan Opera and runs through March 2. metopera.org
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