In the event, she triumphed once again. "[She] immersed herself in the Viennese milieu ... as if to the manor born," wrote the critic for
Opera News. "Her physical agility and theatrical assurance were on brilliant display throughout the evening ... She was simply hilarious while posing as the chambermaid, dispensing her stage business like clockwork and making it all look improvised on the spot. Vocally, the role is a perfect fit as well: the mezzo's warm tone and technical precision lent her scenes with the Marschallin a sense of genuine ardor and her first meeting with Sophie the requisite sparks of excitement."
Fans who couldn't hear DiDonato's performance in person can listen in today, as 96.3 WQXR-FM in New York broadcasts the San Francisco Rosenkavalier beginning at 1:00 pm US Eastern time. The performance, conducted by Donald Runnicles, also stars Soile Isokoski as the Marschallin, Miah Persson as Sophie and Kristinn Sigmundsson as Baron Ochs. Those who can't receive the radio signal can listen in online at www.wqxr.com.
This performance of Der Rosenkavalier, like all those from San Francisco Opera, is distributed nationally by the WFMT Radio Network. Visit www.wfmt.com for information on broadcasts elsewhere.
