Larmore: Another Mezzo Contender
By JAMES R. OESTREICH
Published: February 9, 1995
The battle of the hot young mezzo-sopranos grew livelier on Monday evening when Jennifer Larmore made her Metropolitan Opera debut, as Rosina in Rossini's "Barbiere di Siviglia." Ms. Larmore, an American, came preceded by a fast-growing reputation, of course, as well as a fine recording of the role on Teldec.
Her performance lived up to her billing in every respect. Her stage presence was as charming as her vocal production was gorgeous.
With more than 250 performances of the role under her belt, Ms. Larmore showed no trace of nerves in "Una voce poco fa," soaring freely and evenly throughout her remarkable range and seeming more in control of leaps than on her recording. And she sounded just as strong and fresh at the end of the evening.
Ms. Larmore's smooth, sturdy upper register is beautifully knitted to a metal-clad lower range reminiscent of Marilyn Horne's, which bodes well for heavier roles as well.
The obvious competitor of the moment is Cecilia Bartoli, the Italian mezzo-soprano, who sang Rosina in her American stage debut two years ago at the Houston Grand Opera. Ms. Bartoli will make her Met debut next January, as Dorabella in Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte." She is not yet scheduled to sing Rosina there, but stay tuned./ Review |
