Although I love opera and have been consistently impressed by the Met(even with the odd disappointment), part of me thought are they going to succeed here. This is nothing against the Met itself or the performers themselves- I like Juan Diego Florez, I love Diana Damrau and the more I see Michele Pertusi the more impressed by him.
I guess it's Le Comte Ory itself. No doubt the music is a lot of fun, full of sprightly melodies and style, however the story is somewhat problematic. Interesting it is and all the makings of a lively production when performed, but it feels like two different stories cobbled together sometimes a loose amalgamation of which the opera essentially is.
You are past caring though when this production is as sensational and as hugely entertaining as it is. The costumes and sets are colourful and charming, with the original and risky staging reading as an opera within an opera. You forget any initial problems you find with the story too when the experience is so entertaining, farcial yet very emotionally multi-layered.
Of the staging, the most effective for me were the long intense duet between Adele and Ory with in his guise of Sister Collette he feigns fear and begs affection and the subdued yet sensual scene towards the end of act 2 between Ory, Adele and Isolier.
The orchestra play with zest, and Maurizio Benini's conducting is suitably stylish and buoyant. The singing is wonderful, Michele Pertusi is great as the exasperated tutor, Stephane Degout is appropriately hearty as Rimbauld and Susanne Resmark lends her warm voice to Ragonde. But it is the three leads who captivate.
Juan Diego Florez's high register is effortless and he shows great technique as shown in the runs and phrasing, and his acting is charming and ideal. Diana Damrau once again exudes charisma, and sings with real agility and luster. And then as Isolier is Joyce DiDonato who is superb especially towards the end of act 2, acting with swagger and showing off lush sound and impeccable passage-work.
All in all, a sensational production. 10/10 Bethany Cox