Stepping Up From the Pit

Funny, unexpected things can happen at the opera.

Stage props can drop and roll into the pit. Lights go out. Fire alarms can go off.

Sometimes a lead singer falls ill or loses their voice. Many companies hire understudies or have backup plans for when this happens. In recent performances of Tristan and Isolde at the Met, the lead singers almost seemed cursed to not perform together until the final performance. Backup singers were used for all but one show.

A recent performance at the Pittsburgh Opera has raised the bar. Tenor Vladimir Kuzmenko came down with an illness that also sidelined mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe*. Pittsburgh Opera management decided to fly in a tenor to sing the role if Mr. Kuzmenko couldn’t make it through the performance. But the backup tenor’s flight was delayed and Mr. Kuzmenko lost his voice by the end of the third of four acts.

What do you do?

Fortunately for Pittsburgh Opera, Maestro Antony Walker is a tenor. His skills as an accomplished conductor and singer were made clear to AZOOMA last year when he guest conducted Arizona Opera’s production of “Madame Butterfly.”

Mr. Walker’s good nature, productive and concise rehearsal techniques and superb conducting skills were appreciated by all in the opera orchestra.

Read the rest of the story on the drama in Pittsburgh here:

• http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08093/869798-388.stm

*UPDATE 4.4.08:
The mezzo-soprano mentioned in this blog, Stephanie Blythe, is a regular at Arizona Opera. Her most recent performance as Prince Orlofsky in “Die Fledermaus” was a huge hit.

UPDATE 4.5.08
A brief notice in the New Tork Times.