( AP ) - Eve Queler has helped turn rare operas into repertory staples.
In an era when even the least-performed compositions are receiving attention somewhere, her Opera Orchestra of New York perseveres.
Rumors circulated last year that the OONY was in financial trouble, and several of the singers she helped early in their careers agreed to return for a gala fundraiser. Renee Fleming, Marcello Giordani, Dolora Zajick and Aprile Millo headlined Thursday night's performance, and the auditorium was close to filled for Queler's 100th conducting performance at Carnegie Hall.
Galas of this kind can be routine, with under-rehearsed singers belting out some of opera's greatest hits. This one ended memorably, with 74-year-old retired soprano Renata Scotto taking her turn alongside Fleming and sopranos Krassimira Stoyanova and Eglise Gutierrez as Violetta in the Brindisi from Verdi's "La Traviata."
And then there was Zajick, the powerhouse mezzo, reading from photocopied sheet music as she tore into an unfamiliar part. As Fleming held the concluding high B-flat, Zajick joined in, and her huge voice overwhelmed all the other singers. Fleming smiled and laughed, and Zajick threw the sheet music over her head.
When Queler raised her baton for an encore of the Brindisi, Zajick had to walk over and pick up the sheet music to join in. Fleming even attempted (unsuccessfully) to get Scotto to take over Violetta's opening lines. Giordani put his arm around Scotto, walked over to Fleming and kneeled in apology. A good time was had by all.
Queler has presented the American premieres of Puccini's "Edgar" (with Scotto and Carlo Bergonzi); Boito's "Nerone," Smetana's "Libuse," and the Russian-language version of Tchaikovsky's "The Maid of Orleans" (with Zajick). Many of the works she brought to Carnegie have become relatively common, such as Verdi's "Nabucco" and "I Lombardi," Dvorak's "Rusalka," and Mussorgsky's "Khovanshchina."
Queler also fills a valuable role in finding young singers. Gutierrez is scheduled to appear at London's Royal Opera as Gilda in 2010. Stoyanova already has sung at the Metropolitan and Vienna State Operas.
On a night dominated by bel canto, Zajick got the biggest ovation among the singers for a scorching "O mon Fernand" from Donizetti's "La Favorite." Fleming, wearing a cream gown that matched her creamy voice, sang "M'odi, ah m'odi, io non t'imploro" from Donizetti's "Lucrezia Borgia," a role she will sing at the Washington National Opera next season.
Millo, head tilted back, displayed her usual over-the-top acting and dramatic inflection in the "Mira, di acerbe lagrime" duet from Verdi's "Il Trovatore" with baritone Stephen Gaertner. Giordani struggled a bit in "Tu l'as dit," his duet with from Stoyanova from Meyerbeer's "Les Huguenots" but his voice opened for an elegant and emotional "Cielo e mar!" from Ponchielli's "La Gioconda."
Stoyanova, in a bright yellow gown, showed the excellent coloratura that makes her a singer to watch in "Piangete voi? ... Al dolce guidami castel natio" from Donizetti's "Anna Bolena."
Bryan Himmel was earnest in "La donna e mobile" from Verdi's "Rigoletto." and Gutierrez displayed a big voice with sheen in "O rendetemi" from Bellini's "I Puritani," which also was featured in the "Il rival salvar tu dei" duet with Gaertner and bass-baritone Daniel Mobbs. The Opera Orchestra Gala chorus took a featured turn in "Coro dei Crociati e Pellegrini" from Verdi's "I Lombardi."
Queler is a better impresario than a conductor, with her pacing often less than urgent. But she should be commended for filling an invaluable role as teacher and talent scout.