Adriana Lecouvruer

This month's performance of Adriana Lecouvreur -->impressed me as having the least comprehensible plot of any opera that I have ever encountered. Even with the synopsis, translation and actually watching the action, I could make no sense out of what was going on. Francesco Cilea was the composer and I had never heard of him before and certainly know of no other work of his. This was the first time I had heard Placido Domingo in person. Though on the tail end of his career, he was still quite good and was duly appreciated by the audience. It was quite obvious to me that Domingo is on a higher level than most other opera singers. There is a certain quality about him that also existed with Pavarotti that tells the listener that he exists on a different plane. I have seen Maria Guleghina previously. I have a vague recollection that she was good, but my confusion over the action dulls my powers of recollection. I really do like the music, but now that I know the story is nonsensical, I am left with the impression of the music as just one level devoid of underlying passion, thought or meaning. Glad I saw Domingo, but otherwise, it was a disappointment.