Jose at the Metropolitan Opera-finally

I'm back home after seeing Jose Carreras perform on the stage of the Met. It was a long journey. It started over a year ago when I received a subscription letter from the Met. At the end of the letter they mentioned a Gala with the Three Tenors on May 11, 2000. I kept watching for information all year. Finally, invitations were sent with an order form. I immediately sent for a ticket and got one. By that time, we all knew each of them was going to sing one act from an opera. Very exciting.

At last, the night was here. I got to the opera house early so I could take in the atmosphere. After they let us in, I went to my seat. It was the 3rd box from the stage in the Grand Tier. A wonderful seat. I had brought flowers for Jose, in case I was close enough to throw them on stage, but I wasn't quite close enough to try. I was so out of it later, that I didn't even notice some people did.

First, Andrea Chenier. When Domingo came on (with no applause, which is normal at an opera), he went to the extreme right side of the stage so I could not see him too well. He sounded different than he normally does. Not quite as loud. The costume he wore first, disguised his weight, but then, he came back later in a long tan coat that made him look like a stuffed sausage. Dessi and he were both fine, although there were no emotional highlights. I kept remembering Jose singing Chenier.

Next, Carmen. I remembered the set so well from the video tape. I couldn't wait for everyone to be gone so Jose would come on stage. Finally, I saw him at the back behind the iron fence. He had barely started singing when the ovation started. I really didn't expect it since there was nothing for Domingo. It got bigger and bigger and the orchestra stopped. Jose really did look stunned. Except for a little crack on a note at the beginning (probably from nerves) he was fine and just as passionate as he has always been in that role. There were two places where he had to kneel down and I was afraid he wouldn't get up ok, but he did. At the end he fell across Carmen's body and the curtain came down. Huge ovation for him and bravos (mine included). Lieberson is a fine singer, although she played it way too sweet for Carmen. I'm glad I finally got to see Gino Quilico too.

Last, Turandot. Poor Pav. Except for 'Nessun Dorma', which sounded great, nothing else worked. I had seen Pavarotti and Eaglen sing the whole opera a couple of years ago, before he had his operations. I was shocked that he couldn't move. I could hardly hear either one of them back then. Eaglen does not have an appealing voice to me at all. I don't think I need to comment on how she looks. Patricia Racette as Liu was wonderful.

After all the Turandot applause was over, the main cast members of Chenier and Carmen came out again too. Jose was out of makeup and costume and had a gray suit on. He was not near the center but was forced to end up there. Levine gave him a big hug and Pavarotti gave him his usual pat on the shoulder. Jose looked very happy. I wished that it didn't have to end. We were told that all the cast would be going straight to the Gala dinner, so I did not go to the stage door. It is now three days later and I am still thinking about it. On to Barcelona.