Il Trovatore at LA Opera
June 18, 2004
Stephen Lawless' production of Il Trovatore at Los Angeles Opera, designed by Benoit Dugardyn, was rather dark and oppressive. Thankfully, the principal singers were adequate and the music is wonderful, so the performance came off well. Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky has pretty voice that is neither piercing nor shrill. Mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick was strong and clear as Azucena. Tenor Franco Farina was fairly good as Manrico, he had enough volume at least. Disappointingly, baritone Roberto Frontali as Count di Luna was too quiet.