The week before the Parquet Courts show (see 2 posts ago) I went to hear Guillermo Tell by Rossini on Sunday at Carnegie Hall. The conductor, Gianandrea Noseda of Teatro Regio Torino, was so intense and connected and communicative with his performers it was astounding. In no small part due to the fact that the feeling from the orchestra was mutual. Nosedea is a very physical, expressive conductor and yet (if you can imagine) contained. Every performer turned in an amazing performance. Personally, out of the years of acting in numerous plays there were 3 separate performances where everything clicked (and I’m lucky. It is very rare). Every moment, every feeling, the story arch and even technical aspects of the production worked not only as they should but on a level where it’s like an out-of-body experience. As though the characters and play run themselves without any conscious effort from the actors, stage manager and crew.
Angela Mead has such a strong voice and command over her voice that her dynamic shifts create an expectation in the room and when a phrase is resolved it sinks into your chest. Luca Salsi as Giullermo Tell, John Osborn as Arnoldo both delivered amazing, richly sung heartfelt performances. Everybody on that stage did (orchestra included)! Maybe it was easier for the singers to perform without the hassle of staging and navigating a set…the story was in the music and the voices. It was one of those lightening in the bottle moments which I’m fortunate to have witnessed.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

The Philip Lynch Band next appears Saturday 9PM February 28th, 2015 @ Bar Matchless, 557 Manhattan Avenue Brooklyn, NY It ain’t opera but rock and roll is just as good! xo -p